Acsar
PDF (Английский)

Academic governance under pressure: corruption and bureaucracy in Uzbekistan’s higher education system

Том 1 № 1 (2026): Anti-Corruption Studies and Research

Опубликован 2026-06-30

Authors
  • Shodiyor Shayzakov
Shodiyor Shayzakov
Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan
DOI link:
https://doi.org/10.71559/ACSAR.1.1.2026.38

Аннотация

Today’s issues (corruption and bureaucratic inefficiency) remain enduring obstacles to integrity and progress within global higher education systems. This study examines their impact on scientific research and academic development in Uzbekistan, comparing national practices with international experiences in Finland, Japan, and South Korea. Through methodological research, the research identifies key structural, legal, and socio-economic factors that perpetuate academic corruption and administrative stagnation. It also evaluates Uzbekistan’s recent reforms aimed at improving transparency, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and aligning governance frameworks with international standards.

The findings reveal that while bureaucratic rigidity delays research processes and suppresses innovation, corruption undermines academic integrity by fostering biased evaluations, misallocation of funds, and institutional mistrust. Drawing upon effective anti-corruption models from Finland, Japan, and South Korea, the paper proposes strategies for strengthening academic integrity in Uzbekistan through legal reform, institutional restructuring, and enhanced global cooperation. The study contributes to scholarly debates on academic governance and provides practical insights for policymakers and legal experts seeking to promote transparency and efficiency in higher education.

Ключевые слова

  • corruption,
  • bureaucracy,
  • academic integrity,
  • higher education,
  • Uzbekistan,
  • comparative legal study
    • ...Больше
    Меньше

Как цитировать

Shayzakov, S. (2026). Academic governance under pressure: corruption and bureaucracy in Uzbekistan’s higher education system. Anti-Corruption Studies and Research, 1(1), 51-64. https://doi.org/10.71559/ACSAR.1.1.2026.38

Библиографические ссылки

  1. Altbach, P.G., Reisberg, L. and Rumbley, L.E. (2009). Trends in Global Higher Education: Tracking an Academic Revolution. UNESCO, Paris. Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000183168 (Accessed: 25 December 2025).
  2. Anderson, J.H. (2020) ‘Corruption in higher education: Global challenges and responses’, International Journal of Educational Development, 78, 102245. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102245 (Accessed: 29 December 2025).
  3. Crozier, M. (1964). The Bureaucratic Phenomenon. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
  4. Damm, I.A. (2010). Corruption in Science and Education: Classification and Prevention Mechanisms. Berlin: Springer.
  5. European Commission (2020) European Research Area: Progress Report 2020. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2777/06090 (Accessed: 25 December 2025).
  6. Gouldner, A.W. (1954) Patterns of Industrial Bureaucracy. New York: Free Press.
  7. Graeber, D. (2015). The Utopia of Rules: On Technology, Stupidity, and the Secret Joys of Bureaucracy. New York: Melville House.
  8. Hallak, J. and Poisson, M. (2007) Corrupt Schools, Corrupt Universities: What Can Be Done? Paris: International Institute for Educational Planning, UNESCO. Available at: https://www.iiep.unesco.org (Accessed: 25 December 2025).
  9. Heyneman, S.P. (2004) ‘Education and corruption’, International Journal of Educational Development, 24(6), pp. 637–648. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2004.02.005 (Accessed: 28 December 2025).
  10. Kang, D.C. (2002). Crony Capitalism: Corruption and Development in South Korea and the Philippines. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511606173 (Accessed: 30 December 2025).
  11. Mauro, P. (1995) ‘Corruption and growth’, The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 110(3), pp. 681–712. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2307/2946696 (Accessed: 26 December 2025).
  12. Merton, R.K. (1968). Social Theory and Social Structure. Enlarged edn. New York: Free Press.
  13. Mungiu-Pippidi, A. (2015). The Quest for Good Governance: How Societies Develop Control of Corruption. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781316286937 (Accessed: 30 December 2025).
  14. OECD (2019) Integrity for Good Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean. Paris: OECD Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1787/ab8cb02a-en (Accessed: 25 December 2025).
  15. OECD (2020) Education at a Glance 2020: OECD Indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1787/69096873-en (Accessed: 27 December 2025).
  16. Rose-Ackerman, S. and Palifka, B.J. (2016). Corruption and Government: Causes, Consequences, and Reform. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139962933 (Accessed: 26 December 2025).
  17. Shayzakov, Sh.I. (2021) Ma’muriy sud ishlarini yuritishda prokuror ishtirokining tashkiliy-huquqiy asoslari: qiyosiy-huquqiy tahlil (Organizational and Legal Foundations of Prosecutor Participation in Administrative Court Proceedings: Comparative Legal Analysis). Doctoral dissertation. Tashkent: Law Enforcement Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
  18. Shin, D.C. (2012). Confucianism and Democratization in East Asia. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139049061 (Accessed: 25 December 2025).
  19. Spector, B.I. (ed.) (2005) Fighting Corruption in Developing Countries: Strategies and Analysis. Bloomfield: Kumarian Press.
  20. Speckbacher, K. (2013). Corruption in Education: Structural Characteristics and Implications. Vienna: Austrian Institute of Economic Research.
  21. Transparency International (2022). Corruption Perceptions Index 2022. Berlin: Transparency International Secretariat. Available at: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022 (Accessed: 1 January 2026).
  22. UNESCO (2021) Recommendation on Open Science. Paris: UNESCO Publishing. Available at: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379949 (Accessed: 31 December 2025).
  23. Weber, M. (1978). Economy and Society: An Outline of Interpretive Sociology. Edited by G. Roth and C. Wittich. Berkeley: University of California Press. (Original work published 1922).
  24. World Bank (2020) Worldwide Governance Indicators. Washington, DC: World Bank Group. Available at: https://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/ (Accessed: 1 January 2026).
  25. World Bank (2021) Strengthening Public Integrity for Sustainable Development. Washington, DC: World Bank Publications. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1644-3 (Accessed: 2 January 2026).
  26. Academy of Law Enforcement under the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan (2021) Research Digest on Corruption and Bureaucracy in Public Administration. Tashkent.
  27. Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Combating Corruption, No. ZRU-419 (2017) National Database of Legislation of Uzbekistan. Available at: https://lex.uz/docs/3107036 (Accessed: 1 January 2026).
  28. Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan (2020). Strategy for the Development of Higher Education 2030. Tashkent.
  29. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (2019) Decree on Measures to Further Improve the System of Combating Corruption in the Republic of Uzbekistan (No. PF-5729). Available at: https://lex.uz/docs/4397491 (Accessed: 31 December 2025).
  30. State Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan (2021) Annual Report on Anti-Corruption Measures. Available at: https://anticorruption.uz (Accessed: 30 November 2025).
  31. Tashkent State University of Law (2020) Academic Integrity in Higher Education of Uzbekistan: Challenges and Reforms. Tashkent: TSUL Press.
  32. Transparency International (2023) Uzbekistan Country Profile. Available at: https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/uzbekistan (Accessed: 5 January 2026).
  33. UNDP Uzbekistan (2021) Supporting Academic Integrity and Anti-Corruption Reforms in Uzbekistan. United Nations Development Programme. Available at: https://www.undp.org/uzbekistan (Accessed: 1 January 2026).
  34. Denisova-Schmidt, E. (2017). The Challenges of Academic Integrity in Higher Education: Current Trends and Prospects. CIHE Perspectives No. 5. Boston College Center for International Higher Education. Available at: https://www.bc.edu/content/dam/files/research_sites/cihe/pdf/CIHE%20Perspectives%205.pdf (Accessed: 30 November 2025).
  35. Yamada Corporation (2024) Global Anti-Corruption Policy. Available at: https://www.yamada-s.co.jp/english/company/anti_corruption_policy.html (Accessed: 5 January 2026).
  36. The Korea Herald (2021) ‘Anti-corruption unit could probe lawmaker for the first time’. Available at: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20210811000608 (Accessed: 5 January 2026).
  37. Finland Ministry of Education and Culture (2011) Universities Act 558/2009 (Amendment 954/2011). Available at: https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/2009/en20090558.pdf (Accessed: 5 January 2026).

Copyright (c) 2026 Shodiyor Shayzakov (Author)

Лицензия Creative Commons

Это произведение доступно по лицензии Creative Commons «Attribution» («Атрибуция») 4.0 Всемирная.