Rectors to Gain More Power — and More Responsibility
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has proposed a major overhaul of the management and funding system for universities. Rectors will gain greater autonomy, and university budgets will be directly linked to their performance — from graduate employment to scientific achievements.
At a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a new approach was discussed to improve the efficiency of universities, expand rectors’ powers, and increase their accountability.
A performance evaluation system based on the “New Uzbekistan” model will be introduced. Funding will depend on the number of points earned:
graduate employment — up to 40 points;
industry-commissioned research and product sales — up to 30 points;
publications in recognized international journals — up to 20 points;
securing local and foreign research grants — up to 10 points.
For example, if a university scores 85% of the possible points, it will receive a 20% budget bonus. If it scores below 56%, funding will be reduced the following academic year.
Scientific universities (such as the National University and the University of Irrigation) and social-humanitarian institutions (such as the Conservatory and the Institute of Culture and Arts) will not be evaluated by the same criteria as technical universities — separate indicators will be developed for them.
Another key change is the launch of a “School of Rectors” at the University of New Uzbekistan to train candidates for rector and vice-rector positions, with top graduates sent to Harvard University for advanced training.
Rectors will be granted organizational and academic independence:
appoint vice-rectors without ministry approval,
distribute staffing and finances,
set differentiated “super” contract salaries for professors,
require leadership candidates to defend their annual programs before the university council.
A new rule also states that self-employment will no longer count when assessing graduate employment rates.
A performance evaluation system based on the “New Uzbekistan” model will be introduced. Funding will depend on the number of points earned:
graduate employment — up to 40 points;
industry-commissioned research and product sales — up to 30 points;
publications in recognized international journals — up to 20 points;
securing local and foreign research grants — up to 10 points.
For example, if a university scores 85% of the possible points, it will receive a 20% budget bonus. If it scores below 56%, funding will be reduced the following academic year.
Scientific universities (such as the National University and the University of Irrigation) and social-humanitarian institutions (such as the Conservatory and the Institute of Culture and Arts) will not be evaluated by the same criteria as technical universities — separate indicators will be developed for them.
Another key change is the launch of a “School of Rectors” at the University of New Uzbekistan to train candidates for rector and vice-rector positions, with top graduates sent to Harvard University for advanced training.
Rectors will be granted organizational and academic independence:
appoint vice-rectors without ministry approval,
distribute staffing and finances,
set differentiated “super” contract salaries for professors,
require leadership candidates to defend their annual programs before the university council.
A new rule also states that self-employment will no longer count when assessing graduate employment rates.
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