THE COMPETITIVENESS OF UZBEK HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN INTERNATIONAL RANKING AGENCY AND THE NATIONAL REGULATOR: A CONVERGENCE OF TWO EXTERNAL ASSESSORS

Abstract

The article examines two external evaluative approaches relevant to the higher education system of Uzbekistan:
the approach of QS Quacquarelli Symonds and that of the national authority responsible for quality assurance and
the ranking system in Uzbekistan. Two semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with a QS representative and
a specialist responsible for the national ranking system. The analysis reveals a notable convergence in three areas: the
growing emphasis on external data to verify institutional activities, a cautious approach to whether formal compliance is
sufficient to achieve substantive institutional improvement, and the important role of resource allocation in making strategic
commitments credible. This convergence is significant because independent evaluation systems appear to be aligning
around a common principle: data credibility and sustainable institutional capacity are more important than the volume
of information provided by universities. The article also develops the concept of a “resource allocation test,” according
to which a strategic priority can be considered “substantive” only when it is supported by specific resources, assigned
responsibility, and a defined implementation timeline. The findings have implications for higher education governance in
Uzbekistan, particularly for the formulation of ranking policy, the development of institutional data systems, research funding,
and the definition of different university missions