Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan. 8 / Trend D.Azizov /
The Uzbek Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a decree 'On the introduction of a rating system of the republic's higher education institutions'.
According to the decree, the university rating system will be introduced starting this year.
The ranking of universities will be based on the systematic collection and creation of database characterising the level and quality of universities' scientific and teaching activities and evaluating the received indicators in accordance with the established criteria.
According to the decree, the structure of the university ranking system includes an index of teaching quality of 35 per cent, student and graduate qualification index - 20 per cent, scientific potential of high school - 35 per cent, and other indicators - 10 per cent.
Developing the ranking of the republic's universities and its assessment is being vested to the State Testing Centre under the Cabinet of Ministers.
Further improvement of the universities' ranking methodology are according to the results of expert and employer polls, considering the progressive experience of leading international rating organisations and priorities for development of the country's higher education system is also entrusted to the centre.
In addition, the State Testing Centre will develop analytical reports on the state of higher education in the country based on the ratings and present it to the government with concrete proposals for further improvement of the organisation and efficiency of universities' scientific and teaching activities as well as the level and quality of developing highly qualified specialists.
An annual publication provided before March 1 and coverage of results on university ranking in the media is planned on the results of conducted work.
There are 58 universities in Uzbekistan, 28 in Tashkent, six in Samarkand, four in Andijan, three high universities in Bukhara, Namangan, two in Ferghana, Jizzakh, Nukus and Karshi and one in Termez, Urgench, Navoi, and Kokand.
In addition, seven branches of foreign universities are currently functioning in the country admission quotas of which the following are determined separately - Westminster International University, branches of Moscow State University, the Russian State University of Oil and Gas named after Gubkin, Russian Economic Academy named after Plekhanov, Management Development Institute of Singapore, Polytechnic University of Turin and the mission of Nagoya University, which is selecting and organising the education of college and high school graduates in higher education institutions in Japan, as well as students and graduates of Uzbek universities and other Central Asian countries based on grants from the Japanese government.