The Ministry of Education and Science warned against fraud in university admission and transfer

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation warned about fraud in admission and transfer processes

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation urged citizens to be vigilant against cases of fraud related to university admission and transfer issues.

In an operational event conducted by the Namangan regional department of the Department for Combating Economic Crimes under the Prosecutor General's Office, an individual was caught red-handed while receiving 18 million UZS in exchange for promising to enroll a citizen into the 3rd year of a private university, and it was reported that a criminal case had been initiated regarding this situation. The Ministry condemned such illegal actions and called for compliance with legal procedures.

According to current regulations, applications for transfer from foreign and non-state higher education institutions are accepted annually from July 15 to August 5 through a special electronic platform of the Knowledge and Skills Assessment Agency. Student transfers are carried out based on the results of special tests conducted by the agency.

Additionally, orders regarding students admitted to non-state higher education institutions must be registered in the HEMIS system no later than October 1. In accordance with the established procedure, diplomas will not be generated for individuals not entered into the HEMIS system.

"Therefore, do not believe promises such as 'we will enroll you into the 3rd year without testing,' 'we will transfer your studies after the deadline,' or 'we will process the documents later,'" the ministry's statement reads.

The Ministry asked citizens to use only established procedures and official platforms for admissions and transfers; to check whether their information is registered in the HEMIS system after being admitted; not to hand over their documents and funds to intermediaries and to carry out all processes through legal procedures; and to report suspicious offers or violations via the Anti-Corruption Agency's short code 1253 or the Ministry's 1006 hotline.

It was reminded that trusting individuals who promise to resolve university admission or transfer issues for money, bypassing established procedures, may lead to financial losses and legal liability.

In Tashkent, a person who promised to enroll someone into a private higher education institution for $7,500 was detained. In Bukhara, a citizen was caught with physical evidence after taking 26 million UZS, claiming they would prepare forged documents stating completion of the 1st through 3rd years at a Kazakhstani university and arrange 4th-year admission to the medical department of the Bukhara Innovation Education and Medical University through high-ranking acquaintances. In Khorezm, a deputy hokim was caught while receiving $1,400 after promising to enroll a citizen into the Tashkent University of Humanities.