New regulatory body to ensure quality standards in private education

Uzbekistan is set to introduce an independent body dedicated to external quality assessment and the transparent regulation of educational standards in private higher education institutions. The announcement was made during a presentation led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on April 30, which focused on improving private education services and enhancing the quality of higher and vocational education.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has significantly expanded opportunities for private education, leading to the establishment of 71 private universities and 51 private technical colleges. Currently, nearly 500,000 students are enrolled in these institutions. As a result of this growth, the country's higher education coverage rate has increased from 9 percent to 42 percent, marking a substantial improvement in accessibility to higher education.

During the presentation, the need for better regulation of private education services was emphasized. Among the proposed measures are improvements to the licensing system and enhancements to state accreditation procedures. The government intends to transition to a multi-stage licensing process, making accreditation of educational programs mandatory. Additionally, comprehensive state accreditation will be conducted every five years to ensure quality standards are maintained.

The reforms will incorporate best practices from foreign education systems, with a transition to a two-stage licensing model that strengthens quality control in educational curricula. These changes aim to create a more transparent, fair, and effective system for overseeing private higher education institutions in Uzbekistan.