In collaboration with the Center for Strengthening Communities and Developing Social Wellbeing and the School of Social Work at Columbia University in the USA, a needs assessment study in the field of social work was conducted in 6 regions of Uzbekistan and 9 higher education institutions in Tashkent from March to June 2025.
During the study:
A modern research instrument based on international standards was developed;
15 focus group meetings were organized at 9 leading universities of the republic;
More than 180 professors, teachers and students participated in the focus groups;
Qualification requirements and curricula were studied.
According to the results of the study, it was noted that curricula have been developed, the practice base has expanded, and specialists have been involved. It was also found that curricula are not sufficiently aligned with international standards, there is a shortage of teachers in the field, weak practical training, and limited access to modern literature.
At a meeting on the further improvement of the higher education system in social work education and training based on international standards, based on the results of the research, tasks were identified to be carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and universities providing education in the field of social work.