President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on March 10, outlining proposals to enhance the training of engineering personnel in Uzbekistan’s agriculture and water management sectors. The review focused on aligning academic instruction with practical applications and strengthening the integration of scientific research into major projects, presidential press service reports.
Current Status of Engineering Education
The National Research University Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers currently enrolls over 11,000 students across seven faculties, 37 departments, and 38 fields of study. The graduate employment rate is 93%, and the university has seen a steady increase in foreign students and faculty members. Despite this, officials noted that in some major agricultural and water management projects, insufficient scientific justification and limited utilization of researchers’ expertise have reduced the effectiveness of outcomes.
Proposed Dual Education System
To address these gaps, the presentation proposed a dual education system that combines theoretical instruction with practical training. Under this system, students would spend four days on academic coursework and two days on paid practical training at production enterprises.
Water management students would participate in projects on irrigation efficiency and water conservation. Hydraulic engineering and hydropower students would gain experience in canal concreting, cost-estimate preparation, and the construction of small hydroelectric power plants. Agricultural mechanization students would receive hands-on training in equipment preparation and crop harvesting.
Water Diplomacy and International Training
Given that a notable portion of Uzbekistan’s water resources comes from transboundary sources, the program emphasizes the strategic training of specialists in water diplomacy. The “International Water Diplomacy” master’s program at the university will expand, with increased admission quotas funded by state grants, to train highly qualified experts for domestic and regional use.
The university plans to strengthen its scientific and innovative potential through initiatives including drone-based monitoring of cultivated areas, crop yield forecasting, pest control, and the development of scientific recommendations using satellite and space-based data. To support these efforts, courses in drone operation will be introduced, and a space research and satellite laboratory, along with comprehensive research laboratories, will be established.
Digital Management and Continuous Education
Further proposals include implementing digital management and KPI systems within the university and establishing a continuous educational chain linking schools, technical colleges, universities, and production enterprises. This approach aims to create a more efficient pipeline for training skilled personnel capable of meeting the country’s agricultural and water management needs.
President Mirziyoyev instructed responsible officials to ensure the implementation of these initiatives, emphasizing the integration of science and practice and the widespread adoption of advanced technologies to improve the training of engineering personnel in the agriculture and water management sectors.
