On December 13, 2025, in the hall of the State Educational Institution Khujand State University named after Academician Bobojon Ghafurov, a consultative seminar titled “Improving the Certification System for Scientific Personnel as a Priority Direction of State Policy in the Formation of Tajik Science” was held under the initiative of the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The seminar was attended by Professor Davlatzoda Sayfiddin Khayriddin – Chairman of the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, his deputies and staff, rectors of higher education institutions in Sughd region and their deputies, heads and members of dissertation councils, scientific secretaries, deans, department heads, as well as the faculty and academic staff of educational institutions.
The event was inaugurated by the Rector of Khujand State University named after Academician Bobojon Ghafurov, Nabizoda Mirzotohir Sayfiddin, who highlighted the pivotal role of the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, and the Higher Attestation Commission under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan in the development of Tajik science, as well as the objectives of organizing the consultative seminar.
According to the program, the Chairman of the Higher Attestation Commission, Professor Davlatzoda Sayfiddin Khayriddin, delivered a report titled “Certification System for Scientific Personnel in the Republic of Tajikistan: Current Status and Prospects”. He provided data on the development of the certification system, the increase in the number of scientific personnel from 2017 to 2025, and the outcomes of dissertation defenses across various scientific fields. It was noted that, at present, 85 dissertation councils operate in the country, 30 of which were established in the last two years. Among them, 17 councils are unique and 17 operate in regional centers. Additionally, in 2025 (up to November 1), nine dissertation councils in Sughd region oversaw 62 doctoral and candidate dissertation defenses.
The Chairman also drew attention to the age composition of scientific personnel, noting that the average age of the country’s 6,630 scientific staff is 48 years: doctors of science average 64 years, candidates of science 50 years, and PhD holders 31 years. Furthermore, he discussed a range of sectoral challenges, including dissertation defenses in Russian and English, publication of scientific articles in prestigious international journals, and the future plans of the Commission.
The seminar continued with presentations by the Rector of Khujand State University, Nabizoda Mirzotohir Sayfiddin, on “The Role of the Head of State in the Expansion and Strengthening of Tajik Science”; the Rector of Tajik State University of Law, Business, and Politics, Muminzoda Sheroz Abdujabbor, on “Legal Foundations for the Development of Contemporary Tajik Science”; and Hamza Hakimzoda Karimi, representative of the State Agency for Financial Control and Anti-Corruption of the Republic of Tajikistan in Sughd region, on “Combating Corruption in the Education and Science Sectors”.
The presentations emphasized that modern life is inconceivable without science and its achievements, and that science and technology today constitute a primary driver of societal progress. It was noted that in Tajikistan, with the support of the Leader of the Nation, favorable conditions have been created for the development of science, the cultivation of scientific and technical thinking among youth, the strengthening of legal foundations, and the prevention of corruption in education and science. Scholars and intellectuals are thus required to assume high responsibility, engage in effective work, and contribute significantly to the advancement of national science.
In the concluding session, participants expressed gratitude for the initiative of the Higher Attestation Commission and shared proposals for the further improvement of the certification system.
The consultative seminar concluded with the awarding of doctoral, candidate, and associate professor certificates.