Abstract

The findings of this research indicate that there is an urgent need to reconsider and re-structure the current Soviet-style higher education system of Uzbekistan. This study provides feasible policy recommendations to government and other stakeholders for completely restructuring the sector.
In my view, the first step toward reforming the sector is the establishment of a working group under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan consisting of leading higher education specialists, academics, and consultants. This working group should study successful higher education structures in leading states—i.e., the US, Australia, and the UK —within a defined timeframe. The Working Group should then present the government with a Higher Education Reform Package.
On the basis of my findings, I recommend that the reforms should first address the structure or hierarchy of the Higher Education Ministry. Whereas there are currently multiple players involved in higher education reform (including the Social Complex of Cabinet of Ministers for overall management of the sector and the Ministry of Finance for the sector’s finances and budgets), I recommend that the Ministry of Higher Education be made the only government agency responsible for higher education. The Ministry can then set up/reform agencies and institutes under its portfolio.

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