On March 15, a Board meeting was held at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. Current issues in the sector were critically analyzed and discussed, and several important decisions were made.

Specifically, as part of the task to expand state-funded education, the number of state-funded grants at universities will be increased to 25,000. Additionally, within the framework of the "From Poverty to Prosperity" program, it was decided that 3,500 children from low-income families will be admitted on a grant basis.

To improve the quality of education and align it with international standards, starting from the 2025/2026 academic year, the subject "Environmental Protection and Green Development" will be introduced in the natural sciences, engineering, economics, and finance programs at state universities. All curricula will be enhanced based on the programs of universities ranked in the TOP-300.

Measures will be taken to increase the proportion of qualified teachers in vocational education institutions to 35 percent, and to recruit qualified personnel for vacant director positions at technical colleges through open competitions, aiming to boost professional education and scientific potential.

To attract investments and grants, the system planned to secure $65 million in investments in 2025, with $8.6 million already utilized by the end of the first quarter. Measures have been outlined for major universities to attract $20-30 million in investments and for technical colleges to increase their export volume to $1 million.

Combating corruption and ensuring transparency will be the primary responsibility of all managers and employees within the system. During the reporting period, 147 corruption-related offenses were recorded in the system. Consequently, strict measures will be implemented to ensure transparency in public procurement processes and prevent conflicts of interest.

During the meeting, shortcomings were critically assessed. Notably, it was pointed out that some universities are falling behind in attracting international educational programs and investments. It was emphasized that practical work has not yet begun in the neighborhoods assigned to Samarkand State University of Architecture and Construction and Samarkand Veterinary University.

At the conclusion of the meeting, responsible managers were given strict instructions to ensure the timely and high-quality execution of all tasks. It was stressed that the implementation results will be continuously monitored.