Over the past seven years, university enrollment in Uzbekistan has increased 4.5 times, raising higher education coverage among young people to 42%. However, the training system still falls short of meeting real industry demand, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted during an August 8 meeting on graduate employment.
For example, the BYD plant in Jizzakh currently has 100 vacancies, a quarter of which require robotics and painting engineers or robot programming specialists. Once the plant reaches full capacity, its need for skilled professionals will grow further. Many enterprises face similar shortages and hire qualified foreign specialists, despite the state spending UZS 25–30mn ($1,987 - $2,384) annually per student for higher education.
While some institutions with financial independence have developed strong programs in economics, law, medicine, foreign languages, and pedagogy, fields such as agriculture, veterinary medicine, engineering, and natural sciences remain less attractive to students.
Efforts to strengthen industry ties have led to the establishment of 438 university departments within partner enterprises, benefiting sectors such as oil and gas. At Bukhara Technical University, this approach has helped more than 2,000 graduates secure jobs in their specialties and increased the commercialization of scientific research tenfold.
Looking ahead, Uzbekistan plans to implement large-scale projects worth $83bn, creating demand for about 500,000 specialists in industry alone. Projects include a major gas and chemical complex in Bukhara and new developments in Ustyurt in cooperation with foreign companies.
To better connect education with market needs, a new system will link specialist training to feasibility studies for large projects. Ministries and sector leaders will place direct orders with universities for targeted training, with additional educational modules offered to students.
Knowledge assessments involving potential employers will take place after the second year, and diploma projects will address real industry problems, ensuring graduates who meet investor requirements are guaranteed employment.
The government will also introduce incentives for private companies to hire graduates, awarding extra points in entrepreneurship ratings. Universities will be given greater academic and organizational autonomy, with rectors gaining authority over staffing, academic programs, and differentiated contract fees. A new performance evaluation system—based on graduate employment rates, industry orders, research output, and grant funding—will determine institutional financing.
Additional reforms include allowing applicants who fail to secure admission in their chosen universities, but meet minimum criteria for other programs, to enroll on a contract basis.
The government aims to support this year’s 92,000 graduates through master’s programs, second specializations, direct job placements, and entrepreneurship initiatives. Plans include creating regional business incubators, providing $300 million in preferential loans for youth enterprises, and encouraging companies to employ graduates through concessional credit.
The meeting also discussed measures to engage unorganized youth in professional training, language courses, sports, and civic activities. Officials, rectors, and business leaders shared their perspectives on the proposed initiatives.
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