A century ago, when the fate of the Turkestan nation became the subject of the life of the intellectuals, the prominent scientist, Abdurauf Fitrat, put forward the slogan: “The fate and progress of each country depends on how the education and training of young people is in all respects.”
The past difficult years have proved that it is impossible to build a great future without preparing skilled and highly qualified personnel.
Therefore, the formation of a healthy and free education environment in our country today should become an important and priority task of each of us.
To overcome obstacles in this way, to ensure the purity and transparency of the education system and especially to eliminate corruption which undermines its reputation, is our immediate task.
As it is known, a teacher in the East has always been a symbol of wisdom, moral cleanness and honesty. Unfortunately, some covetous people have come to school by chance, because of the fact that those who put their own interests ahead of the people’s benefit, education institutions have been dazzled by the public.
Corruption is a completely incompatible phenomenon for the Uzbek people, who always highlight science at all times, who try to avoid the bad works, and who have high spirituality and culture.
The most terrible crime is to incite young men and teenagers who are confident in their future with their pure heart, who is just walking in the paths of life.
Therefore, it is necessary to note the fact that the head of our state has laid the foundation for a comprehensive approach that combines the most effective methods of combating this evil in the new stage of the development of Uzbekistan.
In particular, the Actions Strategy which has the five priority directions of Uzbekistan’s development in 2017-2021 was a historic document aimed at the eradication of corruption.
Also, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Measures for Further Improvement of the Anti-Corruption System in the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated May 27 of the current year, defined the urgent task of transforming the education sector into a “non-corrupted sphere”.
There is a deep meaning in that, according to the decree, since August 1, 2019 the project “non-corrupted area” has been defined as an experiment in the field of higher education. Because the success of any reform in the country depends primarily on education.
Therefore, on May 24th and 28th of this year, in the meeting with participation of the President of RUz with the heads of higher educational institutions, professors and teachers, and scientists have been thoroughly analyzed and examined in detail such kinds of unpleasant circumstances. Corruption was recognized as the biggest threat to the education system.
Dear compatriots!
Large-scale reforms implemented in all spheres of the country are reflected in such works as radical improvement of the quality of education, strengthening of material and technical basis of educational institutions, wide involvement of youth in higher education.
Establishment of new higher education institutions in the regions, modern education trends, specialties, opening of correspondence and evening departments, improvement of admission rates for higher education institutions are important reforms in this area.
The number of higher education institutions in the country ranges from 77 to 110, of which 19 are branches of foreign higher education institutions. Over the past two years, 12 foreign higher educational institutions have been established (USA – 1, Russia – 5, South Korea – 3, Latvia – 1, India – 2).
In 2018/2019 academic year, 20 HEIs, in cooperation with the leading higher education institutions of 10 foreign countries 33 educational areas and 14 specializations on joint educational programs have been established.
Based on the current needs in the real sector of the economy, starting from the current academic year, 66 new training programs and 48 master’s degrees offer wide opportunities for our children.
In 2018, 875.9 billion sums were spent from the state budget for higher education. In 2019, the figure exceeded 1 trillion 288.4 billion soums and grew by almost 1.5 times.
The Resolution and Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on the improvement of the system of higher and secondary special and professional education dated July 11, 2019, aimed at further increasing the effectiveness of public administration in the sphere, became a historic event for the sphere of higher education.
They include transferring higher education institutions to a gradual self-financing system, as well as defining the parameters for admission to the rectors on pay and contract basis, opening new bachelor’s degrees and master’s specialties.
This, in turn, boosts the independence of higher education institutions’ leaders and assumes a great responsibility for the rectors.
However, it must be confessed that there are still cases of corruption in the system among responsible executives.
The similar issues, the plan of measures to transform the system into a non-corrupted sector has been developed and presented.
Distinguished professors and teachers!
Dear teachers and mentors, the most honorable professionals in the world!
Today, when reforms are on the highest stage of their decisive role, let’s make honesty and purity inherited from our great ancestors – Bukhariys, Khorezmiys, Samarkandiys, Nasafiys, Termiziys, Ferghaniys a motto of our life and become a worthy generation to teach our children the secrets of science!
Our esteemed President creates endless conditions for our work, our well-being and our future. Modern educational establishments that are built more and more luxury are for us and our children.
Let’s save them from corruption. Let’s help our children to learn the secrets of science by trusting in their knowledge and strength.
Let’s fight against corruption that threatens young people’s commitment to patriotism, commitment to the country and their full-fledged development when great attention is paid to the higher education system!
Dear compatriots!
Together with all the above, all leaders and employees of the higher education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan being fully aware of the crucial importance and relevance of the reforms in the higher education system as well as “The Law on Education” and to ensure the implementation of the Actions Strategy developed on five key priorities for the development of Uzbekistan:
First of all, we’ll form the staff of the higher education institutions from experienced, honest and responsible professors and teachers;
Secondly, we’ll organize the Public Council to eliminate various artificial obstacles in the admission process to higher education institutions, in conducting professional (creative) exams, in evaluating students’ knowledge and when transferring or restoring their studies and to prevent the illiciting payments from citizens. We’ll provide justice and transparency;
Thirdly, we ensure that students won’t get denied access to education and retraining, preventing cases of excessive documentation, as well as timely consideration of citizens’ applications and avoiding excessive oversight;
Fourthly, we’ll take measures to prevent bureaucratic barriers between the professors and students, to ensure that the continuity of their activities is strengthened by increasing the transparency of the assessment and determining that justice is a key factor in assessing their knowledge;
Fifth, we’ll strictly control the compliance with existing legal norms of financing higher education institutions (at the expense of the state budget, including centralized funds, the contractual payment method, development fund and grant funds), adherence to the formulation of expenditure indicators and improvement of internal financial revision, as well as timely detection and eradication of corruption in this process;
Sixth, we’ll pay serious attention to the prevention of corruption and transparency in all matters related to training, retraining, implementation of research, staff recruitment and promotion and targeted controlling the education institutions;
Seventh, we’ll raise the level of propaganda-advocacy, explanatory work and spiritual-educational and organizational activities (surveys, social quizzes, competitions, etc.) aimed at preventing corruption in the system and ensuring transparency in all processes.
All the organizational and legal aspects of achieving fair access to study at higher education institutions have been created by the President of our country. Only we should strictly follow. The Right Way is the Way of Knowledge! Justice is solidarity and unity.
We promise to fight against corruption together with the heads of higher education institutions, rectors, professors and teachers, community members and promise to serve for the future of our children and to work towards the advancement of our Motherland.
Rectors of higher educational institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan,
Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education
Tashkent, July 17, 2019
