As Spot previously reported, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on September 29 to develop the dual education system in higher education institutions.
The document includes a number of incentives to encourage the introduction of new programmes. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation will rank universities and employer organizations implementing dual education programmes.
The new ranking is expected to be launched at the end of the 2027−2028 academic year. It will assess three main criteria: the share of students enrolled in dual education, average salaries and students' average academic performance.
The three highest-ranked universities and three employer organizations will receive budget incentives ranging from 1 billion to 3 billion soums, depending on their position.
Starting in 2027, employer companies will receive compensation for 50% of salary costs for students working in the fields of engineering, manufacturing and processing, architecture and construction, and agriculture. The payments will be provided as subsidies at the end of the academic year.
From January 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030, the customs duty on equipment, inventory and laboratory instruments imported to establish practical training facilities, production and service activities at universities will be set at 1%. Employer organizations will also be allowed to apply accelerated depreciation to equipment used for practical training for three years.
Companies will receive preferences in the evaluation of bids for public procurement contracts based on the number of students enrolled in dual education programmes:
- up to 25 students — 5%;
- 25−50 students — 10%;
- more than 50 students — 15%.
Businesses will also receive additional points in the Entrepreneur Sustainability Rating for accepting students into dual education programmes: 5 points for 5−25 students, 8 points for up to 50 students and 10 points for more than 50 students.
Starting from the 2026−2027 academic year, practical training will be organized under the dual education system. Depending on the sector and field, practical training may be conducted with a break in theoretical studies of up to six months or through weekly schedules such as 4+2, 5+1, 3+3, 3+2 or 4+1.
The English version of this material was generated with the assistance of AI translation tools and may differ slightly from the original text.
