Uzbekistan has banned involving students in work unrelated to their studies under newly approved higher education regulations, strengthening student rights and academic protections.
The Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan registered an updated regulation on April 3, setting out new rules governing the higher education system, including academic processes, governance, financial relations, and the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty.
Under the new regulation, higher education institutions are prohibited from engaging students in activities not related to their education, reinforcing a clearer separation between academic responsibilities and external tasks.
Students are granted a number of rights, including the ability to submit proposals to improve education quality, participate in discussions on academic processes, access library and information resources free of charge, and take part in international exchange and joint education programs.
They also have the right to appeal decisions made by university administrations and to work under labor contracts either within their institution or externally, in line with labor laws. Full-time students remain eligible for stipends.
At the same time, students are required to comply with internal regulations and codes of conduct. The regulation confirms that higher education will continue to follow a national credit-module system aligned with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). Education is organized across bachelor’s and master’s levels, with bachelor’s programs lasting at least three years, while part-time and evening formats require longer study periods.
Higher education can be delivered in multiple formats, including full-time, distance learning, dual, and inclusive education. Universities are also granted academic, organizational, and financial autonomy. To better align graduates with labor market needs, curricula and qualification requirements will be developed in cooperation with employers.
Earlier, Uzbekistan announced plans to grant national research university status to 10 higher education institutions and establish scientific clusters within them. From 2027, universities will also be financially incentivized based on their performance in national rankings, as part of broader reforms to modernize the education system.
