Uzbekistan plans to introduce a dual-format higher education system that will be based on orders from employing companies, starting from the 2027/2028 academic year. The relevant presidential decree 'On measures to improve the personnel training system through dual education in higher education' was signed on September 29, 2026.
This system will train specialists according to the 'enterprise–university–target specialist' model, after which graduates will be employed by the companies that initiated their training. Universities, together with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, will determine the list of bachelor's degree fields and admission criteria for dual education.
Admission to study will be carried out annually until October 1 based on a paid contract, according to applications submitted by employers. Dual education is organized by an agreement between the university, the enterprise, and the student. The enterprise is obliged to pay the student a monthly salary during the study period, which must not be lower than the minimum wage.
In turn, students undertake to work at the enterprise for at least two years after completing their studies. Students participating in dual education and included in the Social Register will receive a social scholarship.
Students studying in engineering, production and processing, architecture and construction, and agriculture fields will be able to continue their studies under state grant quotas starting from the second year of study. The study period within the dual education system will be taken into account when calculating the student's total work experience.
Starting from January 1, 2027, special courses will be organized for mentors appointed by enterprises participating in dual education. After the 2027/2028 academic year, an effectiveness rating will be compiled for universities and employer companies. Three universities and three enterprises with the best results will receive awards of 1, 2, and 3 billion sums, depending on their rank in the rating.
The decree also provides for additional support measures for enterprises participating in the dual education program. Starting from January 1, 2027, enterprises will receive a subsidy covering 50% of labor costs for each student studying dual education in the fields of engineering, production and processing, architecture and construction, and agriculture.
Furthermore, enterprises will receive additional points on the 'Business Entity Sustainability Rating' platform. The number of these points will depend on the number of students enrolled in dual education. The import of equipment, installations, and laboratory equipment that enterprises bring in to create practical conditions for dual education at universities will be subject to a customs duty of 1% until January 1, 2030. Enterprises will also be able to apply accelerated depreciation over a three-year period to educational equipment and facilities acquired for practical training within the dual education programs.
