The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan has adopted a decision aimed at improving the activities of private higher education institutions and enhancing the quality of non-state educational services. This was reported by Upl.uz.
According to this document, the process of establishing new higher education institutions is divided into two main stages: first, the licensing of the institution's activities; second, the passing of its educational programs through special state accreditation. Non-state higher education institutions are now required to meet additional and strict requirements to obtain a license.
In particular, the concept of the newly established higher education institution must be presented. It should include important aspects such as the name of the institution, its status, management system, staff composition, main educational and scientific areas, parameters for student admissions, the system for ensuring educational quality, educational costs and calculations, as well as a five-year development strategy.
Additionally, the initial charter fund must consist of at least two million US dollars. This fund includes the material and technical base and software directly related to the educational process.
The charter fund will be increased proportionally with the increase in the number of students, which will ensure the financial stability of the institution. Furthermore, the applicant must keep a fund of 350 thousand dollars in deposit accounts at commercial banks.
This serves as an additional guarantee for financial stability. A building and facilities with an area of at least 5000 square meters are required for the educational process.
The owner of the building is not required to be the institution itself; it can be used based on long-term lease or free use agreements. Moreover, within five years after its establishment, the higher education institution must allocate at least 80 percent of its net annual income for the development of its core activities, and in subsequent years, 50 percent.
This decision will come into effect three months after its official announcement. Before the new rules come into force, entrepreneurs with licenses for non-state educational services must adapt their activities to the new licensing requirements and conditions by January 1, 2026.
