Foundation director Gulnoza Ismoilova said this in an interview with Daryo at the Silk Road University Fair education forum held in Tashkent. According to her, 30 Uzbek students studying abroad have been stripped of their stipends over the past five years.

Why were stipends revoked?

The reasons varied. Some students did not return to Uzbekistan, and others failed to meet their obligations. In another group, academic performance declined steadily. The foundation had signed four-party agreements with them, and in line with the law, court decisions were made.

How has oversight changed?

Each semester, students' results are now evaluated through a dedicated online platform, and the process is monitored on an ongoing basis. Previously, students mostly wrote explanatory letters. Currently, 26 stipend holders have low academic results, and since 2025 the foundation has maintained regular contact with the parents of every stipend holder.

Around 700 Uzbek students are currently studying at foreign universities with the foundation's support. Up to 500 students are funded each year, with the foundation covering both tuition and living costs.

Where do returnees work?

Ismoilova said up to 85 percent of returning stipend holders stay in Tashkent rather than moving to their home regions. The foundation was established by a presidential decree in 2018 and helps graduates find suitable jobs in Uzbekistan.

The foundation received 600 billion soums from the state budget in 2025. The plan calls for 800 billion in 2026, 950 billion in 2027, and 1 trillion soums in 2028.

Source: Daryo.uz