In a conversation with the rector of Osh State University, Kudayberdi Kozhobekov, we discussed key aspects of Kyrgyz higher education, including its comparison with the educational systems of neighboring countries, as well as important reforms, the credit model, and the prestige of diplomas. Special attention was given to the development of the university: its autonomy, scientific activities, partnerships with business, education export, and the significance of Osh State University as an educational center of southern Kyrgyzstan in the global system.
What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses of the Kyrgyz higher education model compared to neighboring countries and Russia?
- The Kyrgyz higher education system has both strengths and weaknesses, as well as unique features compared to its neighbors, such as Uzbekistan, China, and Russia.
Strengths include the flexibility and openness of the system. Kyrgyz universities quickly respond to changes in the labor market, actively implement a multi-level training system (bachelor's, master's, doctoral), develop academic mobility, and create joint programs with foreign universities. Multilingualism is also an important advantage: education is conducted in Kyrgyz, Russian, and partially in English, which increases the competitiveness of graduates. Furthermore, higher education is becoming more accessible to various segments of the population, especially in the regions.
However, among the weaknesses, one can highlight the lack of financial and material-technical resources, which limits the modernization of infrastructure and scientific research. Compared to Russia and especially China, funding for science and education is significantly lower, which affects research activity and the competitiveness of universities on the international stage. There is also a gap between theoretical training and the practical skills of students.
In Uzbekistan, there is a more centralized and large-scale education modernization policy, with active involvement of foreign universities and investments. China, in turn, demonstrates a model of strict strategic management with significant state investments and a focus on international rankings and high-tech industries. The Russian system is characterized by a developed scientific school and the integration of education with fundamental science.
In the near future, we must focus on improving the quality of education and science, closer integration with the economy, and the development of regional universities as centers of socio-economic growth.
What significance does a university degree hold for a specialist in Kyrgyzstan? Is there a division between prestigious and lesser-known universities?
- In Kyrgyzstan, when it comes to employment, the university from which a specialist graduated is still important, but this significance is more related to reputation than to formal criteria. There is a conditional division between leading universities and regional institutions. Important factors include the university's history, the quality of education, human resources potential, international connections, and alumni activity.
Leading universities are often associated with a strong academic foundation, participation in international projects, and dual degree programs, which make graduates more competitive in the labor market. This is also reflected in employer trust and career advancement opportunities.
Regional universities, such as Osh State University, play an important role in training practical specialists for the economy and social sphere. We actively maintain connections with the labor market, ensuring accessibility of education and contributing to regional development.
Thus, while the prestige of a diploma matters, the real competencies of graduates and their ability for professional development are becoming increasingly important.
Which reforms in recent years have had the greatest impact on the university and higher education as a whole?
- In recent years, one of the most significant reforms that has influenced the higher education system and Osh State University has been the granting of special status to several universities.
This status has increased academic, financial, and managerial autonomy, allowing universities to independently develop educational programs, advance science and international cooperation, attract extrabudgetary resources, and build long-term strategies. For Osh State University, this has become a stimulus for growth, enhancing research potential and improving the quality of specialist training.
This reform also contributes to the formation of strong universities as centers of education, science, and socio-economic development, as well as their integration into the international educational space.
How does the credit system of education function in Kyrgyzstan?
- The credit system of education in Kyrgyzstan has been implemented in accordance with international standards, aimed at increasing the flexibility and quality of higher education. Education is organized based on educational credits, which reflect the labor costs for a discipline and include both classroom and independent student work.
This system allows students to form individual educational trajectories, choose elective disciplines, and accumulate credits during academic mobility between universities both within the country and abroad. For Osh State University, this is an important tool for integration into the international educational space and enhancing the competitiveness of graduates.
We have been successfully implementing this system for several years. Overall, the credit system focuses education on outcomes, increases students' responsibility for their own education, and ensures the comparability of Kyrgyz diplomas at the international level.
What place does Osh State University occupy in the system of universities in Kyrgyzstan? What does it represent today?
- Today, Osh State University is one of the leading higher education institutions in Kyrgyzstan and has a special status. Osh State University is the largest multidisciplinary university in the southern region, fulfilling a strategic task of training personnel, developing science, and contributing to the socio-economic progress of the region.
Osh State University serves as a model platform for implementing educational and managerial innovations, such as new forms of academic and financial autonomy, modern educational programs, and digital solutions. The university's experience is utilized by other universities in the country to implement successful practices. For example, our experience in integrating science, education, and production, digital transformation, and ensuring academic autonomy has been recommended to other universities.
Today, Osh State University is a modern open university that combines fundamental education, applied research, and active international cooperation, focusing on quality and sustainable development, confidently moving towards a new generation university model.
How is Osh State University transforming into a research and innovation university of global standards? What are the key stages of this process?
- The transformation of Osh State University represents a phased and systematic process that we view as a long-term strategy.
The first stage laid the institutional foundation: granting special status, increasing academic and managerial autonomy, updating the university's strategy and management models. This allowed a shift from inertial development to targeted results management.
The second stage is associated with strengthening research potential: creating research centers and laboratories, supporting scientific schools, engaging students and young scientists in research, developing master's and doctoral programs, and expanding international scientific projects.
The third stage is innovative and entrepreneurial transformation. We are developing a knowledge commercialization ecosystem: startup platforms, technology transfer, partnerships with business and regions, and implementing research results into practice. Examples include a robotics center, an air pollution research center, and land restoration projects.
The university's business park has supported 14 new startups that attracted 3 million 265 thousand 950 soms in investments and grants, creating 23 new jobs. The total amount of attracted investments exceeds 16.5 million soms.
The final stage is internationalization: dual degree programs, publication activity, attracting foreign teachers and students, and participation in international rankings. Osh State University chairs the Coordination Council of the European Higher Education Area and is the coordinator of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Kyrgyzstan.
As a result of active internationalization, more than 10,000 foreign students from various countries study at Osh State University. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the university will attract 41 teachers from the USA, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, and other countries.
The publication activity of teachers is also increasing: in 2025, 351 articles were published in scientific journals indexed in the Scopus database. From 2021 to 2025, this number increased sixfold, reaching 857 articles.
Thus, Osh State University is transitioning from a classical university to a new type—research and innovation-focused, with an emphasis on quality, competitiveness, and sustainable development.
How does Osh State University integrate into the global educational space? What goals does it set in this direction?
- Osh State University actively integrates into the global educational system through several key directions.
First, we are developing international cooperation: academic mobility programs, dual degrees, and joint educational and scientific projects with foreign universities.
We have bilateral agreements with over 300 universities. We collaborate with more than 100 universities from Russia, 52 from Kazakhstan, 54 from Uzbekistan, and over 80 from China. We implement dual degree programs in 22 specialties with universities from Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. Each year, more than 1,000 students and teachers participate in academic mobility programs, studying at leading universities in the USA, Europe, Russia, and Asia.
Second, we focus on improving the quality of education and science in accordance with international standards: participation in rankings, publications in international journals, and the implementation of the credit system.
The university's goals include ensuring the competitiveness of graduates in the global labor market, strengthening scientific potential, and becoming a recognizable player in the international educational and research space.
We strive for concrete results: increasing international programs, growing publication activity, expanding partnerships with leading universities worldwide, and enhancing the reputation of Osh State University as a modern research university.
Tell us about joint educational projects with Russian universities: what makes them interesting and beneficial for both sides?
Osh State University actively develops cooperation with Russian universities, implementing joint educational programs and initiatives. Currently, we collaborate with more than 100 universities in Russia, including leading institutions.
Among them are Lomonosov Moscow State University in the fields of "tourism," "international relations," "applied mathematics and computer science," RUDN University, Tomsk State University, Bashkir State Medical University, and others.
Every year, about 100 students and teachers participate in summer and winter schools, academic mobility, and conferences at Russian universities.
We are mutually interesting to Russian universities due to our academic potential and historical ties: Russian universities help us strengthen fundamental training and exchange scientific personnel. We, in turn, provide opportunities for practical training and intercultural exchange.
Joint projects contribute to improving the quality of education, integrating international standards, and creating competitive specialists capable of working both in Kyrgyzstan and abroad.
What factors today contribute to the development of science in Kyrgyzstan?
- Several key factors are driving the development of science in Kyrgyzstan today.
One of the drivers is the National Idea "national spirit — global heights," defined by the president's decree. The collaboration of the scientific potentials of universities is aimed at studying national priorities: ecology, economy, digitalization, culture, and security.
Scientific research, first of all, seeks to meet the needs of practice in the economy and society: they are aimed at regional development, agriculture, and the implementation of innovative technologies.
Secondly, international cooperation and grant programs stimulate the quality of research, engage students and youth, creating opportunities for experience exchange with foreign universities.
The third factor is the active role of universities, such as Osh State University, where science is integrated with education: research schools, laboratories, and master's and doctoral training programs are being formed.
Thus, the combination of practical focus, international integration, and institutional support from universities fosters a culture of research and innovation in the country.
How does the university participate in solving the socio-economic problems of the region?
- Osh State University is actively involved in addressing the socio-economic problems of the region through several directions:
Training specialists for key sectors of the economy — the university graduates specialists for education, healthcare, and the social sphere. Scientific research and applied projects in collaboration with authorities and businesses — scientists develop solutions for agriculture, ecology, and business support. Social initiatives and educational programs — implementation of projects for the professional development of workers and engaging youth in social projects, including retraining centers and a legal clinic.
Thus, Osh State University acts as a center for regional development, combining education, science, and practical influence on socio-economic development.
How does the university interact with business and partner companies? Does business influence the content of educational programs?
- Osh State University actively develops cooperation with business and partner companies.
We work through joint projects, internships, and practical training for students, which helps create specialists who meet labor market demands. The university also accepts commercial orders for research and the implementation of innovative solutions.
For example, within the framework of environmental projects, a scientific-production project for ecosystem restoration is being implemented, where trees are grown over an area of 300 hectares. Other projects include the creation of an innovative nursery and a Robotics Center.
The university's business park actively collaborates with local companies, involving them in entrepreneurship training and supporting the best projects.
Partner companies can influence the content of educational programs; their recommendations are taken into account when developing courses and practical modules so that graduates possess relevant skills.
This collaboration creates a synergy between education, science, and the economy, expanding opportunities for graduates and contributing to labor market development in the region.
Osh State University has entered the global ranking of universities for sustainable development QS for 2026. What advantages does this position provide?
- The year 2025 was successful for Osh State University: the university ranked 316th among 1,526 in the QS Rankings Asia 2026 and 22nd out of 74 universities in Central Asia. In the QS World University Rankings for Sustainable Development for 2026, Osh State University ranked 1251st for environmental impact and 1107th for the "Management" direction. This underscores the university's active work in the field of sustainable development.
Osh State University's entry into the top global rankings opens up a number of real advantages.
First, it enhances international authority and reputation: the university becomes more recognizable on a global level, attracting foreign students and faculty.
Second, the ranking stimulates improvement in the quality of education and science: the need to meet international standards encourages universities to enhance programs and research activity.
Third, positions in rankings create opportunities for funding and partnerships, including grants and joint projects.
Finally, this serves as motivation for students and staff: the ranking demonstrates the competitiveness and modernity of the university, enhancing the prestige of the diploma and contributing to professional development.
Thus, participation in international rankings strengthens Osh State University's position as a research and innovation university, opening new horizons for education and science.
