Uzbekistan expands dual higher education: 50% wage subsidy from 2027 under new decree

Uzbekistan's presidential decree of 29 September 2026 aims to improve personnel training in higher education through dual-form programmes that combine classroom theory with practice at employers. Under a tripartite contract between a university, an enterprise and a student, the employer pays a monthly wage not lower than the minimum wage, and the graduate must work at the company or its affiliated organisations for at least two years after finishing. At least 30 percent of the study programme is theoretical.

From 1 January 2027, 50 percent of wages paid to dual-education students in certain technical and production fields will be covered by a state budget subsidy. Tashkent State University of Law has introduced a system based on practical, clinical and dual training, in which second- to fourth-year students spend 50 percent of their programmes in lecture halls and the rest in courts, law enforcement bodies and other legal organisations. The model is planned for other state higher education institutions from the 2027/2028 academic year.

From 1 January 2027, special courses will be organised for mentors, and each mentor will be assigned no more than 15 students. Umid Sobirov, senior lecturer at the Constitutional Law department of Tashkent State University of Law, said dual education helps young people gain work experience while still studying.