Mirziyoyev Discusses Training Engineers for Agriculture & Water

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 10 March, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to improve the training system for engineers in agriculture and water management.

The presentation highlighted that in some sectors, scientific research is increasingly detached from practical application. Many large-scale agricultural and water projects have underutilized research and expert insights, reducing their effectiveness.

Currently, over 11,000 students are enrolled at the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers. The university has seven faculties, 37 departments, and 38 educational programs, with a graduate employment rate of about 93%. The number of international students and faculty is gradually increasing.

A key recommendation is the expansion of dual-education programs. Students would spend four days per week on theoretical studies at the university and two days in paid practical training at production enterprises.

For water management students, this includes projects on water conservation and efficient irrigation. Students in hydraulic engineering and hydropower will participate in canal construction, budgeting, and small hydropower projects. Agricultural mechanization students will gain hands-on experience preparing machinery and conducting harvest operations.

The presentation also noted that a significant portion of Uzbekistan’s water resources comes from transboundary sources, making training in water diplomacy strategically important. Expanding the “International Water Diplomacy” master’s program and increasing state-funded quotas were supported. The program aims to train specialists not only for Uzbekistan but also for Central Asia and Afghanistan.

To strengthen the university’s scientific and innovation capacity, plans include drone-based crop monitoring, yield forecasting, pest control, and space-based research. New courses on UAV management, satellite laboratories, and comprehensive research labs are planned.

Additionally, the university will implement digital management systems and KPI monitoring, creating a continuous educational pathway from school to university to production enterprises.

Following the presentation, President Mirziyoyev instructed relevant agencies to improve the training of engineering specialists, strengthen the link between science and practice, and expand the use of modern technologies in agriculture and water management.