Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation of Uzbekistan has commented on the recent decision by the Republican Council on Higher Education regarding the introduction of a new payment for private universities.

The Ministry emphasized that the Republican Council is a non-governmental, non-profit organization without state authority, and that its decisions are not mandatory.

The Ministry clarified that the Council is guided by the Constitution and legislation of Uzbekistan, and that it only develops advisory recommendations, which are not legally binding.

The main activities of the Council involve preparing proposals for improving the work of higher education institutions based on the analysis of international experience, introducing effective public control over the quality of education, and providing recommendations on the training, retraining, and professional development of personnel, as well as on the advancement of scientific and innovative activities in universities.

An important aspect of the Council’s work is the regular analysis of national and international university rankings and promoting the inclusion of local universities in global rankings.

To date, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation has been actively cooperating with the Council to support reforms in the higher education sector and improve the quality of education, as noted by the Ministry.

At the Council meeting, which was attended by the rectors of 208 universities from across the country, decisions were made based on the opinions and proposals presented by Council members.

The introduction of a 4% payment from the funds received from contract-based education in private universities to the higher education development fund has sparked discussion online. The Ministry reminded that this decision is not mandatory. All financial actions can only be carried out based on the relevant agreements, the Ministry clarified.

Furthermore, according to Uzbekistan’s civil legislation, the freedom of contract is guaranteed. Within the activities of the Council or under the current legislation, there is no mechanism for compelling the conclusion of such agreements; therefore, any financial or legal actions are based solely on the voluntary decisions of the parties.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation views the decisions of the Council as internal matters of a non-governmental organization.

At the same time, the Ministry is ready to accept inquiries on issues related to financial actions or violations of interests and promises to review them in accordance with established procedures, taking measures to protect the legal rights and interests of citizens.

It was previously reported that Dilmurad Artykov, a deputy in the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, had submitted an official inquiry regarding the introduction of the new payment for private universities.