Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education Rakhimjon Khakimov received a World Bank delegation led by Ms. Fadia Saada, Regional Director of the Organization for Human Development in Europe and Central Asia of the World Bank.

During the meeting, Deputy Minister R. Khakimov briefed the delegation on the ongoing reforms in the field of higher education, mentioning at the same time their focus on improving the quality of education, increasing the coverage of youth in higher education, improving the financial situation of institutions and universities, providing material support to professors and teachers. composition.

At the same time, it was noted that as a result of the intensive growth in the number of universities from 65 to 152 over the past 5 years and an increase in the enrollment quota by 2.5 times, as well as due to the new areas of study (agrobiotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, etc.) the need to strengthen the material and technical base of universities and additional modern laboratory facilities. 

During the meeting, Ms. Fadia Saada said that today the issue of human development is very important, in which education plays a key role. She also highly appreciated the work on ensuring the quality of higher education, which is being carried out simultaneously with the increase in quantitative indicators in this area.

The representative of the World Bank was also informed that in order to provide universities with modern information and communication facilities and scientific laboratory equipment, it is currently planned to attract additional funds from international financial institutions.

It was recommended to take into account the above aspects when preparing the next five-year cooperation program of the World Bank and noted the expediency of expanding cooperation in the development of higher education through the implementation of new projects or additional financing of the ongoing project.

At the end of the meeting, a short informational video was presented on the work done within the framework of the project "Strengthening the material and technical base of universities", implemented by the Ministry with the support of the World Bank.