In Uzbekistan, it has been proposed to tie state funding for universities to their national rankings

Uzbekistan proposes linking university budget funding to national ranking

Uzbekistan intends to revise the rules of the national university ranking and link financial payments to state universities with its results. The draft order provides for the distribution of universities into three levels depending on the points scored. The new system may come into effect on January 1, 2027.

According to the proposed draft, the top 20% of universities with the highest results will be placed in the first category, the next 40% in the second, and the remaining 40% in the third. The amount of funds allocated to a university will depend on its category.

For financially independent universities, it is proposed to calculate payments taking into account the amount allocated by the state to educate one student under the state order or grant.

For other state universities, the volume of funding will be determined based on the amount of budget funds directed to cover expenses.

Following the publication of the ranking results, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation will be required to transfer funds to the treasury accounts of the universities within 15 business days. Universities will be able to decide for themselves how to use the money received.

The draft also provides for changes to the university evaluation criteria. Instead of three separate indicators — graduate employment, time spent looking for a job, and average income — a single graduate quality index is planned to be used. Depending on the university's category, it will be evaluated at 20–40 points.

In addition, it is proposed to move the deadline for submitting data for the ranking from February 1 to June 1. Universities will have to upload information for the reporting year to a special platform. The agency will then verify the information and calculate the final scores.

A separate national ranking is planned to be maintained for Uzbek universities that are included in the top one thousand of the international THE, QS, and ARWU rankings. At the same time, the results of rankings in individual subject areas will not be taken into account.

Universities that have been operating for at least three years and have already graduated bachelor's students will be able to participate in the national ranking. Starting in 2027, it is proposed to calculate the number of faculty members based on the sum of full-time equivalent positions.

The changes are currently contained in a draft order of the National Agency for Quality Assurance in Education. They will come into force after the document is approved and officially published.

Earlier, it was reported that the Graduate Quality Index would be introduced in Uzbekistan, which will take into account former students' employment levels, job stability, income, and job category.