A regional conference "Enhancing  higher education development  through regional cooperation  in Central Asia.

Welcoming speeches were made by the Head of the World Bank Country Manager for  Uzbekistan Marco Mantovanelli, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ibrokhim Abdurakhmonov, Practice Manager for Education Global Practice, Europe and Central Asia of the World Bank  Rita Almeida.

In the next decade, the number of higher education institutions and students increased significantly. Today, there are more than 430 higher educational organizations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, providing educational services to about 1.8 million students.

The countries of Central Asia have gradually adapted their national higher education systems to the requirements of a market economy through the commercialization of scientific research, technology transfer, and the creation of conditions for the operation of private higher education institutions.

Currently, the region is following a strategy of internationalization of the educational process.