Provision of Higher Education by Private Organizations

The modern education system of Uzbekistan is characterized by a combination of state and non-state (private) educational institutions. According to the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Education” (ZRU-637 of 23.09.2020), non-state educational institutions are granted the right to provide educational services at all levels, including higher education. This reflects the trend toward diversification of educational opportunities, expansion of competition, and attraction of private investments in the educational sphere.

Higher Education Regulation in Uzbekistan

Higher education in Uzbekistan is regulated by a set of norms:

• Law “On Education” – establishes the general principles, forms, and types of educational activities, including for non-state (private) organizations.
• Law “On Licensing, Permit and Notification Procedures” – determines the licensing procedure for non-state (private) universities.
• Cabinet of Ministers Resolutions – establish standards, accreditation procedures, admission rules, and requirements for the material and technical base of universities.

Thus, a non-state (private) organization may provide higher education services only upon obtaining a license, passing accreditation, and complying with state educational standards.

Licensing and Accreditation

• Licensing – a mandatory requirement for starting educational activities. The license is issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
• Accreditation – a procedure recognizing compliance of educational programs and quality of education with established state standards. Types include:
  • State accreditation;
  • Comprehensive and special accreditation, including internal (self-assessment) and external (assessment by an authorized body or international accreditation structures).

Graduates of accredited non-state universities receive state-standard diplomas valid throughout the country.

Features of Educational Process in Private Universities

• Activities are carried out on the basis of the charter and licensing conditions.
• The use of independently developed educational programs is allowed if specified in the license.
• Universities must ensure the availability of highly qualified teaching staff and appropriate infrastructure.
• Education can be delivered in full-time, evening, part-time, and distance-learning formats.
• Relations with students are formalized by a contract specifying terms, conditions of study, and rights and obligations of the parties.

Control and State Regulation

• Non-state universities are subject to state control regarding the quality of education, compliance with licensing conditions, and standards.
• In case of violations, the authorized body may revoke the license or accreditation certificate.
• Transparency is ensured: the charter, license, information about staff, programs, and results must be published on the official website of the organization.

Rights and Obligations of Students in Private Universities

Students of non-state organizations have the same rights as those in state universities, including:

• the right to quality education;
• receipt of a state-standard diploma (if the university is accredited);
• participation in institutional governance through student councils;
• social protection (preferential loans, scholarships, dormitories – within the university’s capabilities).

The provision of higher education by non-state organizations in Uzbekistan is an important tool for developing a competitive educational environment, improving the quality of training, and expanding access to higher education. However, the successful functioning of private universities is possible only with strict compliance with legislation, transparency of activities, and maintenance of high academic standards.

State and Private Higher Educational Institutions in Uzbekistan

Criterion	State Universities	Private Universities
Legal basis	Established by Presidential decrees or Cabinet of Ministers resolutions	Established by founders (legal entities or individuals)
Licensing	Automatically authorized to operate upon establishment	Mandatory licensing by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation
Accreditation	Undergo state accreditation (guaranteed by status upon creation)	Mandatory state and/or international accreditation, comprehensive evaluation (self-assessment + external review)
Educational programs	Based on state standards, though financially autonomous universities may approve their own programs	Based on state standards or self-developed programs (with corresponding license)
Financing	State budget, grants, tuition fees, international projects	Founders’ funds, student tuition fees, sponsorship, grants
Education documents	State-standard diploma	State-standard diploma (if accredited) or document recognized in Uzbekistan (for independent programs)
Quality control	State control via the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation	State control: compliance with license and standards, monitoring of quality, risk of license revocation
Student social protection	State grants, scholarships, preferential loans, dormitories	Benefits and scholarships within university’s charter; student loans for tuition may be provided
Transparency	Information about universities published on official resources (ranking, programs, accreditation)	Must publish license, charter, accreditation, information about faculty, programs, and services on website
Leadership	Rectors appointed by the President or Cabinet of Ministers	Head appointed by founders, subject to legal requirements

 

Licensing and Accreditation Requirements in Higher Education

1. Licensing of Private Universities

Licensing is regulated by the Law “On Licensing, Permit and Notification Procedures” and the Law “On Education” (Art. 57). The right to issue licenses for higher education belongs to the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation.

Requirements for licensing:

• Founding documents – availability of a university charter specifying types and forms of training, structure, and objectives.
• Material and technical base:
  • educational buildings and classrooms;
  • laboratories, libraries, information-resource centers;
  • dormitories and social infrastructure (preferably).
• Staff potential:
  • availability of teachers with appropriate academic degrees and titles;
  • compliance with teacher-student ratio standards.
• Educational programs:
  • compliance with state educational standards;
  • or independently developed programs specified in the license.
• Financial sustainability: confirmation of funding sources (founders’ funds, tuition fees, grants).
• Compliance with sanitary, fire-safety, and other norms.

Nature of the license:

• Issued for an indefinite period.
• Issued separately for each type of education (preschool, secondary, vocational, higher, postgraduate).
• May be suspended or revoked in case of violations.

2. State Accreditation of Higher Education

Types of accreditation:

• State accreditation – recognition of compliance with educational programs and quality standards.
• Comprehensive accreditation – includes internal self-assessment and external review by the authorized body.
• Special accreditation – conducted before starting new educational programs.
• International accreditation – allowed via accreditation organizations recognized in Uzbekistan.

Main requirements:

• Compliance with state educational standards;
• Approved curricula and programs;
• Required quality of training (staff, workload, practical training, research);
• Passing attestation, which forms the basis for accreditation;
• Internal quality assurance system.

Results:

• Certificate of accreditation granting the right to issue state-standard diplomas;
• Possible revocation in case of violations;
• University is entered into the register of accredited institutions, available on the Ministry’s website.

3. Difference Between Licensing and Accreditation

Parameter	Licensing	Accreditation
Purpose	Verifying conditions for conducting educational activities	Verifying quality of educational process and compliance with standards
When conducted	Before starting activities	During operations (periodically)
Authority	Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation	Same ministry or international accreditation bodies
Result	Right to provide educational services	Recognition of programs and right to issue state-standard diplomas
Validity period	Indefinite (until revoked)	Limited by the accreditation certificate validity period

 

Roadmap: Licensing and Accreditation of a Private University

Stage	Content	Responsible Body	Result
1. Establishment of organization	Preparation of charter, legal registration, determination of facilities and staff	Founders, Public Services Center	University registered as a legal entity
2. Application for license	Submission of documents: charter, staff, facilities, programs, financing	Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation (MHESI)	Application accepted
3. Review and inspection	Examination of facilities, staff, training conditions	MHESI	Compliance/non-compliance protocol
4. License issuance	If approved, indefinite license issued for educational activity	MHESI	Right to provide higher education services
5. Start of educational process	Student enrollment, program implementation, contracts signed	Non-state university	Launch of educational process
6. Internal quality assessment	Self-assessment of staff, programs, conditions, research	University	Internal quality report
7. External review (attestation)	Commission check by MHESI or international body	MHESI / international agencies	Compliance conclusion
8. State accreditation	Accreditation certificate issued for a certain period	MHESI	Entry into accredited institutions register
9. Right to issue diplomas	Accredited university receives right to issue state-standard diplomas	Non-state university	Diplomas recognized in Uzbekistan
10. International accreditation (optional)	Engaging international accreditation agencies recognized in Uzbekistan	International organizations	Additional recognition of diplomas abroad