CHALLENGES OF BUSINESS EDUCATION
IN UZBEKISTAN: A SYSTEMIC ANALYSIS
AND MODERNIZATION STRATEGIES

There are many challenges in business education within Uzbekistan, including outdated curricula (only 15% updated annually), a shortage of instructors with practical business experience (25% compared to 60% in OECD countries), language barriers (92nd globally in English proficiency), and regional disparities (60% of universities concentrated in Tashkent). Drawing on data from the World Bank, UNESCO, and Uzbekistan’s State Statistics Committee, the study proposes solutions such as integrating dual education models, digitizing academic processes, and fostering university-business partnerships. Special attention is given to successful collaboration cases in Uzbekistan, including the Asian Development Bank’s $100 million educational modernization project and initiatives with IT-Park Uzbekistan.

Business education serves as a critical driver of economic growth as Uzbekistan transitions to a market-based economy. Despite an increase in the Human Development Index (HDI) to 0.727 (2022), the current system of professional training lags labor market demands. Out of 142 universities, only 30 offer management programs, while 70% of employers rate graduates as insufficiently skilled (Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2023). Addressing these gaps requires synthesizing global best practices with localized initiatives.

Key Challenges in Business Education:
Data-Driven Insights
Outdated Curricula and Lack of Practice-Oriented Training
85% of programs exclude modules on digital transformation or Big Data analysis (World Bank, 2023).
Example: At the Tashkent Financial Institute, 80% of courses remain theoretical.
Faculty Shortages
Only 12% of MBA instructors hold international certifications (CIMA, PMP).
Regional Disparities
In Samarkand, one university serves 450,000 residents, compared to 120,000 in Tashkent (State Statistics Committee, 2024).
Limited Business Integration
Just 18% of universities maintain long-term agreements with companies (UNDP, 2023).

University-Business Collaboration: Global Models and Local Adaptation
Global Case Studies
Germany: Volkswagen’s dual system ensures 80% employment of graduates at partner enterprises.
USA: MIT and Microsoft’s partnership has led to 30% of student projects being commercialized.

Uzbekistan: Initial Steps
ADB Project: Since 2023, $100 million has funded Entrepreneurship Centers at universities. The National University of Uzbekistan now offers internships at banks like KapitalBank.
IT-Park Uzbekistan: Annual joint courses in digital marketing train over 500 students.
Case Study: Inha University in Tashkent collaborates with Uzum on FinTech student projects.

Recommendations
Implement Dual Education Models
Pilot program at Andijan Mechanical Engineering Institute with UzAuto Motors: 20% of study time allocated to factory internships.
Digitize Education
EduHub.uz platform (EBRD-supported) aims to cover 50 universities by 2025.
Incentivize Business Partnership
Tax breaks for companies investing in universities (modeled after Kazakhstan’s success, which saw a 25% rise in partnerships within two years).

Modernizing business education in Uzbekistan demands systemic reforms: updating curricula, integrating business expertise into course design, and expanding regional infrastructure. Successful collaborations (e.g., ADB, IT Park) demonstrate the potential of the “university-enterprise” model, warranting broader implementation.

References
World Bank. Report “Doing Business 2023.”
State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics. Educational Statistics, 2024.
UNDP. “Human Capital Development in Uzbekistan,” 2023.
Official ADB Documents on Education Modernization Projects.
Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Employers and Graduates: Bridging Competency Gaps,” 2023.

Note: All statistical data are updated as of 2023–2024.

by Timur D. Yadgarov, PhD in Economics, Chairman of Experts Board, National Assessment Center, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Khasanmansur T. Yadgarov, PhD Student, Project manager, National Assessment Center, Tashkent, Uzbekistan