National Quality Assurance Agency for Education under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NQAAE)

The National Quality Assurance Agency for Education (NQAAE) under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the national authority responsible for external quality assurance, accreditation, qualifications assessment, monitoring, and quality enhancement across the education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Established under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, NQAAE serves as the central institution coordinating the implementation of state policy in quality assurance and supporting the continuous improvement of educational provision at all levels.

The quality assurance framework in Uzbekistan was initially established in 2017 through the State Inspectorate for Supervision of Quality in Education. In 2025, this framework was re-established and strengthened with the creation of the National Quality Assurance Agency for Education under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. NQAAE operates as a central governmental body responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing quality assurance, assessment, accreditation, professional qualification, national survey, and ranking processes across the education system.

The current quality assurance framework was introduced through the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PD-76 and the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PR-275, which marked a significant transformation of the national quality assurance system. The framework is further supported by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 498, which establishes requirements for accreditation organizations, accreditation procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, and post-accreditation monitoring processes.

NQAAE is mandated to oversee quality assurance activities across more than 1,300 educational institutions nationwide, including higher education institutions, vocational and professional education providers, postgraduate education institutions, retraining and professional development centres, as well as entities involved in professional qualification assessment. The Agency’s responsibilities encompass institutional and programme accreditation, development of accreditation standards and methodologies, organization and training of external review experts, monitoring of educational quality, implementation of national surveys, administration of ranking systems, and assessment of professional qualifications.

A key feature of Uzbekistan’s quality assurance model is its comprehensive and integrated approach. In addition to accreditation activities, NQAAE conducts large-scale national surveys involving students, academic staff, employers, and educational institutions to support evidence-based policymaking and quality enhancement. The Agency also develops analytical reports, quality indicators, and monitoring mechanisms that contribute to the strategic development of the education sector.

NQAAE maintains the national register of recognized accreditation organizations and is responsible for evaluating compliance with national requirements for external quality assurance bodies. Through regular monitoring and review processes, the Agency promotes transparency, accountability, and public confidence in educational quality.

The Agency operates through specialized divisions responsible for accreditation, quality assurance standards and methodology, professional qualifications, expert development, monitoring and analytics, digital transformation, strategic development, and international cooperation. Supported by 62 permanent staff members and a growing network of trained national and international experts, NQAAE implements external quality assurance activities in accordance with the principles of independence, objectivity, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Internationalization represents a strategic priority for NQAAE. The Agency actively cooperates with quality assurance agencies, higher education institutions, professional bodies, and international networks worldwide to promote the alignment of Uzbekistan’s quality assurance system with international standards and good practices. Through these partnerships, NQAAE contributes to strengthening the international recognition, competitiveness, and quality of education in Uzbekistan.

As Uzbekistan advances its ambitious education reform agenda, NQAAE continues to play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of quality, supporting institutional development, and ensuring that educational provision responds effectively to national priorities, labour market needs, and global developments in higher and professional education.