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Paper Short Abstract:

The paper describes the recent reforms realized in higher educational system in Uzbekistan, contribution of international agencies on improvement of its quality, as well as the existing challenges, and suggestions on its perfection according to international standards.

Paper abstract:

The government of Uzbekistan is realizing several reforms in the sphere of higher education system. Decree and Order of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 24, 2021 No.PP-60 & No.UP-61, grant to eight medical higher educational institutions (HEI), including pharmacy and dentistry universities, the legal rights to independently manage the activities of university, as well as determine quotas for admission, organization of the educational process and financial resources.

There are several challenges existing in medical education system of the country. The two-tier system of education was implemented in higher education of the country with the adoption of the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "About Education" in 1997. Since then the duration of higher medical education in the country was 7 years and changed to 6 years in 2017. This issue requires to be revised according to international standards, because in current situation, to become a medical doctor in Uzbekistan, student needs to study 8-9 years (6-years bachelor and 2-3 years Master's degree/clinic ordinatura). However, international standards request 12 years of medical education (4-5-years medical school, 7-years residency/specialty) to become a medical doctor.

Another challenge existing in medical education system in the country is weak system of objective assessment of student's knowledge and competencies. Several international donors are facilitating in establishment of simulation centers in medical HEI to increase graduates' practical skills on simulators, as well as objective assessment of their knowledge, however, this kind of centers are not operating in all medical universities yet.

The government is supporting medical HEI in obtaining international accreditation, mainly in postgraduate medical education programs, for example, Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated December 12, 2018 No.UP-5590 supports the obtaining Accreditation Public Health Education Association in Master of Public Health of the medical HEI in the country. Such, experience should be disseminated to other postgraduate medical education programs from financial means of HEI.

It is highly recommended to develop check-lists on each competency and their grading system by Likert scale, and provide these check-lists to practicing doctors with involvement of them to the evaluation process of student's practical skills/competencies. So, there should be developed clear KPIs/SOPs for student's knowledge and competency assessment on each clinical subject.