Scientific personnel training and scientific development measures discussed

In recent years, large-scale reforms have been implemented in Uzbekistan to comprehensively support science and strengthen its international competitiveness. As a result, scientific activity, the number of publications in international academic journals, and the share of research published in highly ranked journals have been steadily increasing.

At the same time, key priorities remain the further improvement of the quality of scientific personnel training, strengthening the practical relevance of research, reinforcing the principles of academic integrity, and modernizing the governance system in the field in line with contemporary requirements.

In this context, measures aimed at elevating the system for training highly qualified scientific and academic-pedagogical personnel to a new level were discussed.

Particular attention was devoted to the training of scientific personnel in priority areas critical to the country’s long-term scientific and technological development, including artificial intelligence, renewable energy, food security, medicine, water resources, new materials, and seismology. In this regard, proposals were put forward to introduce a new support system for researchers.

Specifically, it is planned to increase scholarships for doctoral students in priority fields by 1.7 times, as well as to allocate additional annual funding for the purchase of equipment and reagents necessary for scientific research.

Proposals were also put forward to strengthen the responsibility of scientific supervisors and improve mechanisms for incentivizing their work. In particular, it is planned to introduce a system of additional rewards for supervisors of successfully defended dissertations, taking into account their international scientific activity indicators.

As another important area, new approaches were proposed to fundamentally enhance the activities of the Higher Attestation Commission.

These measures provide for organizing the Commission’s activities within the system of the Academy of Sciences, increasing the accountability of scientific councils, and introducing a rating-based evaluation system for their performance.

In addition, proposals were made to reduce excessive bureaucratic procedures through the full digitalization of academic degree awarding processes. In particular, the dissertation defense procedure is expected to be shortened by 50 percent through digitalization.

Accordingly, it is planned to abolish a number of redundant requirements related to printing large volumes of documents, preparing extensive dissertation abstracts, and conducting repeated dissertation discussions. These measures are expected to create more convenient conditions for researchers while reducing time and financial costs.

Furthermore, in order to strengthen the integration of science with the real sector of the economy, proposals were made to introduce the “Project-Based Academic Degree” and “Practical Doctorate” programs, enabling researchers to obtain PhD degrees within the framework of applied scientific projects.

Under these approaches, doctoral theses will be developed based on the practical needs of industry and the economy. Scientific research will be conducted in cooperation with enterprises in the real sector, with special attention devoted to the practical implementation of research outcomes.

Proposals aimed at improving the system for financing and selecting scientific projects were also considered.

It is planned to engage international experts in this process, introduce a project evaluation system based on modern digital technologies, and enhance the transparency and efficiency of scientific research funding.

At the same time, the rapid growth of scientific activity requires the further strengthening of research quality control mechanisms, adherence to the principles of academic integrity, and the enhancement of internal scientific oversight tools.

In this regard, proposals were put forward to introduce a unified digital system for monitoring the scientific activities of researchers, improve scientific ethics standards, and establish effective mechanisms for ensuring research quality.

The discussion also focused on further expanding cooperation with experienced compatriot scholars working abroad.

In particular, it was proposed to establish a Scientific Advisory Council tasked with developing recommendations for advancing the scientific sector based on international experience, strengthening the culture of scientific research, and improving modern methodological standards.

The Head of State emphasized the importance of thoroughly refining the proposed initiatives, further improving the scientific sphere and the system for training scientific personnel in accordance with modern requirements, as well as enhancing the quality of scientific research.

Relevant officials were given corresponding instructions.