Requirements for research publications needed to defend a dissertation in Uzbekistan do not stay fixed. In 2026 the system for training and attesting research personnel is undergoing a major reform. Here is how a candidate can get accurate, up-to-date information for their own field.
Who sets the publication requirements in Uzbekistan?
The overall requirements for the number and type of research publications needed by candidates for an academic degree in Uzbekistan are set by the Higher Attestation Commission (OAK). These requirements rest on the Regulation on the procedure for awarding academic degrees, adopted on the basis of Presidential Decree No. UP-4958 and resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The document is amended from time to time – the latest version was approved in August 2024, and in May 2026 a far broader reform of the whole research-personnel attestation system got under way. It is therefore important to check the current version rather than earlier publications on the subject.
The OAK website – the official source of up-to-date information
The most convenient way to check requirements is directly on the OAK website, which publishes regulatory documents, announcements of admission to doctoral studies, and the list of recommended research journals. The full texts of regulations and decrees can also be checked on the lex.uz portal, which shows the date of the latest revision. When choosing a journal for publication, it is worth paying attention to a few points:
- whether the journal’s subject area matches the dissertation’s specialism
- whether the publication is included in the list at the time the article comes out, not at the time the manuscript is submitted
- the journal’s status – national or foreign – as required by the specific dissertation council
- whether the journal appears on the separate list of disreputable publications that OAK also publishes on its website
What is changing in research personnel attestation from 2026?
On 26 May 2026, President Mirziyoyev signed Decree No. UP-98, “On improving the system for training and attesting a new generation of research personnel”, which considerably changes the previous procedure. OAK is being transferred from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation into the Academy of Sciences system, and from the new academic year at least 60% of state-funded doctoral places will be reserved for seven priority fields. From 1 January 2027, a number of procedures are due to be abolished, including publication of the dissertation abstract and, for DSc dissertations in the social sciences and humanities, publication of a monograph. Meanwhile, candidates whose defence has already been scheduled by OAK will continue under the previous rules until 1 January 2027. Because of this transition period, it is especially important to check which version of the requirements applies to a particular case.
What to check with the university’s research department
Besides OAK’s general rules, every dissertation council is entitled to set additional internal requirements – for example, on how articles should be split between national and foreign journals.
To get precise information, a candidate should take a few steps:
- Contact the university’s research department or doctoral studies office for the council’s current regulation.
- Read this year’s announcement of admission to doctoral studies or independent candidacy.
- Check the list of journals against the current version on the OAK website.
- Ask the supervisor which version of the requirements – the previous one or the one updated under Decree No. UP-98 – applies to the specific dissertation.
Why do requirements differ even within a single specialism?
The volume of publications required also depends on the type of degree. Under the current regulation, a candidate for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) must have published at least 7 research works in total, including at least 3 articles, one of them in a foreign journal.
For a Doctor of Science (DSc), the threshold is at least 15 works, of which at least 10 must be articles, again with one in a foreign journal.
The form of study – basic doctoral studies, doctoral studies, independent candidacy, or the new project-based doctoral programme – further affects how the works must be submitted, so general information from open sources is often not enough on its own.
In 2026, then, it is especially important to check publication requirements through several channels at once – the OAK website, the relevant dissertation council’s regulation, and the supervisor. The attestation system is currently going through a transition period, and taking these changes into account helps avoid a situation where some of the publications or documents already prepared are not counted towards the defence.
Need help with publishing a research article? The specialists at Scientific Publications will help you choose a journal that meets OAK’s current requirements, check that your material meets the publication’s criteria, and support you at every stage of the publication process. For a free consultation, fill in the form below and our manager will contact you shortly.
