A number of bureaucratic barriers to obtaining academic degrees in Uzbekistan are set to be eliminated. Under the Presidential Decree, the following procedures will be abolished for the conferral of academic degrees starting January 1, 2027:
- sitting a qualifying examination in a foreign language (with the exception of independent researchers);
- registration of dissertation topics with the Higher Attestation Commission and the publication of public notices regarding dissertation defenses;
- review of the dissertation at a leading institute;
- publication of a monograph based on the findings of a dissertation prepared for the Doctor of Science (DSc) degree in the social sciences and humanities;
- printing and distribution of the dissertation abstract;
- obtaining a formal conclusion confirming that the dissertation's scientific findings have been implemented in practice;
- expert review of the dissertation by the subject-specific expert council of the Higher Attestation Commission;
- approval by the Higher Attestation Commission of the academic council's decision on a defended dissertation;
- nostrification of documents confirming an academic degree obtained abroad by foreign nationals engaged in educational and research activities. In such cases, the foreign degree credential will be directly recognized for the duration of the individual's activity in Uzbekistan.
Under the same decree, the Higher Attestation Commission has been transferred to the Academy of Sciences. Starting September 1, 2026, the stipends of certain doctoral students will be increased by 1.7 times.
Earlier this week, Ahmаdbek Yusupov — who had led the Higher Attestation Commission for over a decade — was relieved of his post. His successor has yet to be announced.
Under the new framework, the chair of the Higher Attestation Commission will be appointed and dismissed by the Cabinet of Ministers, based on the recommendation of the President of the Academy of Sciences and in agreement with the Presidential Administration.
