History of Uzbekistan State World Languages University
Based on the decisions of the Council of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR dated October 4, 1947 (Nos. 3485 and 3488), which were about the training of foreign language teachers and improving the teaching of foreign languages in schools, the Tashkent State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages (now the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages) was established in 1948. According to the order of the Council of Ministers of the Uzbek SSR dated August 25, 1948, a building on Sapyorlar Street, 11, was allocated for the institute in Tashkent.
In the years of independence, the teaching and learning of foreign languages have been considered a key social direction of the state. The attitude toward foreign languages, the process of teaching and learning them, has attracted more attention. In Uzbekistan, large-scale reforms in education are taking place to raise the younger generation with high-level knowledge and intellectual capabilities, to make them aware of global events, innovations, and changes, and to help them master foreign languages, which are the "key to development." The study of foreign languages has become a state policy, and significant work is being done in this area. From the very beginning, great attention was paid to the creation of legal foundations for teaching foreign languages.
In 1992, following the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (No. PF-401), Uzbekistan State World Languages University was established on the basis of the Tashkent State Pedagogical Institute of Foreign Languages and the Russian Language and Literature Institute. This period (1984–2002) saw Jamolidin Boronov serving as the rector of the university.
During this time, the university became a reliable hub for training highly qualified foreign language specialists in Uzbekistan. It became an institution specializing in foreign languages.
From 2002 to 2008, Gayrat Shoumarov served as the rector, contributing significantly to the improvement of the university's academic atmosphere.
From 2008 to 2012, Abdulla Ismailov served as the rector and conducted large-scale organizational work.
The presidential decree in 2012 (No. PF-4456) laid the foundation for a new phase of qualification and attestation for higher academic personnel. New systems for training foreign language specialists were developed, and the university worked to enhance the national scientific potential and rejuvenate the body of scientists.
Following the decree of the President of Uzbekistan dated December 10, 2012 (No. PQ-1875), comprehensive reforms were introduced in the system of foreign language education, and measures were taken to improve the quality of foreign language learning. The university was designated as the working body of a permanent coordinating council aimed at further developing foreign language education.
From 2013 to 2016, Shuxrat Qayumov served as rector.
During his tenure, the university further expanded its international cooperation and modernized foreign language teaching methods.
From 2016 to 2020, the rector of the university was Ganisher Rahimov, who contributed to the development of innovative methods for teaching foreign languages and the production of new textbooks and teaching materials.
In 2020–2022, Ulugbek Azizov Botirovich was appointed rector of the Uzbekistan State University of World Languages.
According to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated April 16, 2020, "Measures to radically improve the system of training specialists in Oriental Studies and increase scientific potential" (No. PQ-4680), the university established the Department of Oriental Studies to improve the quality of training qualified specialists with comprehensive knowledge according to international standards in the field of Oriental Studies, to accelerate the development of science, to continuously improve the potential and pedagogical skills of professors and teachers, and to enhance the training of students based on Eastern values.
The period of comprehensive reform in education has become a demand of the time. In response to this demand, laws regulating the relations in the field of education have been adopted. In particular, the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan "On Education" was adopted on September 23, 2020, with the aim of regulating relations in the field of education.
The contribution of Ilkhomjon Tukhtasinov Madaminovich, who was appointed rector in 2023, has been significant in increasing the international reputation of the university, opening new specialties, and expanding the number of students.
The new rector’s efforts have been crucial in opening postgraduate programs in new specialties and increasing the number of students. The external and internal appearance of the university has been completely renovated, and it is now equipped with modern technical tools. The integration of Uzbekistan into the international community, the rapid development of science, technology, and culture, and the task of ensuring that the younger generation can compete with their peers worldwide all point to the need for continuous improvement of foreign language teaching to meet the demands of the time. Developing and regularly updating legal documents to protect the rights of teachers, professors, and students has become an urgent task.
