On May 28, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting dedicated to tasks of developing science and higher education.
Proposals and current issues discussed during the meeting held on May 24 with heads of higher education and scientific-research institutions, academics, scientists and young researchers at the National University of Uzbekistan were considered.
At that meeting, the Head of the state proposed to establish the Republican Council on Science and Technology in order to create a special platform for discussing proposals regarding the development of science and innovations, which was supported by scientists.
The main tasks of this council were identified at the meeting. In particular, instructions were given on fundamental development of the scientific sphere through formation of state programs and centralized financing, organization of the national system of laboratories in high-tech industries, commercialization of scientific developments, and improvement of positions of the national science system in international rankings.
Directions of activities on development of the most significant spheres for the economy and scientific solution of social issues, as well as persons responsible for this activity were identified.
The necessity of creating scientific schools at the National University of Uzbekistan and Tashkent State Technical University, formation of a new generation of scientists in nanotechnology, materials science, semiconductor physics, biophysics and biochemistry, biotechnologies was noted.
At the meeting with scientists, the participants agreed to create standing committees in four areas. Tasks of these commissions, the order of activity and the scope of responsibility of their members were determined at the meeting.
The first commission will deal with the ongoing analysis of activities of scientific-research institutions and provide practical assistance in solving their problems.
The second commission will analyze and evaluate the educational process and the quality of education in higher education institutions.
The third commission will analyze the spiritual-enlightenment work and implementation of the Five Initiatives in higher education institutions.
The fourth commission will deal with attracting our compatriots abroad who have achieved significant success in higher education and science.
“The main goal of this activity is to develop human capital in our country. Being engaged only in raw materials and its processing is far from being advanced. Moreover, innovation is needed to create added value in production. Therefore, science will be an important direction, a fulcrum of our development”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The need was noted for strengthening the social protection of academicians, professors and teachers, creation of modern conditions for students, identification and training young talents – future scientists.
Responsible officials were instructed to define the priority directions of development of domestic science and introduce a new system of financing scientific research.