Uzbekistan is witnessing a dynamic new chapter in its higher education landscape as private universities emerge alongside state institutions. A flagship example is Zarmed University, which has quickly become a model of quality and innovation in the sector.
Founded in 2022, originally as Turon Zarmed University, Zarmed was the first private university established in the historic region of Bukhara. It now operates two campuses in Bukhara and Samarkand, Uzbekistan’s cultural capitals, reflecting a commitment to expanding access to higher education across the country.
In just a few years, Zarmed University has grown to enroll over 5,000 students, illustrating the strong demand for its programs and the broader growth of private higher education nationwide. As Uzbekistan pursues educational reforms, Zarmed’s rise exemplifies how private initiatives can complement public universities in training the next generation of professionals.
Expanding Quality Education and Medical Training
From its inception, Zarmed University has prioritized quality education and modern pedagogical approaches. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, with a core focus on medical sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry) alongside fields like Engineering, IT, Economics, and Languages.
As a private medical university, it has become a hub for training future doctors and healthcare professionals, aligning its curriculum with international standards. Notably, Zarmed’s faculty benefit from partnerships with renowned institutions – for example, professors receive training through India’s Apollo Hospitals network to ensure world-class teaching in medicine.
The university boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure including modern laboratories and teaching hospitals, enabling hands-on clinical training for students. Starting from fourth year, medical students conduct clinical rounds at the affiliated Zarmed–Pratiksha Hospital, an Uzbek–Indian joint medical center, gaining practical experience in patient care.
Such initiatives ensure Zarmed’s medical training programs meet global benchmarks, preparing graduates for licensing exams like USMLE and PLAB and contributing to improved healthcare human resources in Uzbekistan. By emphasizing quality, practical skills, and compliance with international norms, Zarmed University exemplifies the elevating standards of private higher education in the country.
Fostering Scientific Advancement and Research
Zarmed University has also distinguished itself as a center for scientific advancement and scholarly exchange. The university actively promotes research among faculty and students, and it has begun hosting major academic conferences that put Uzbekistan’s scientific community on the map.
In late 2023, Zarmed’s Samarkand campus organized the First Republican Scientific-Practical Conference on Modern Medicine, titled “The contribution of fundamental sciences to the development of modern medicine”. This high-profile forum gathered experts from across the country (and abroad) to discuss interdisciplinary approaches to medical science.
Such an event – held at an international level – underscores Zarmed’s role in advancing medical research and dialogue in Uzbekistan. Similarly, in March 2025 the university convened a large scientific-practical conference on linguistics and literary studies at its Samarkand campus.
Supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, this conference provided a platform for scholars to debate contemporary issues in linguistics, literature, translation, and language teaching methodology. Academics from several prestigious institutions (Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, Samarkand State University, and others) participated and were recognized for their contributions.
By hosting and initiating such scholarly events, Zarmed University contributes to the scientific and intellectual life of Uzbekistan, fostering innovation and sharing of knowledge in both the natural sciences and the humanities.
Excellence in Language Education and Innovation
One area where Zarmed University has made significant strides is language instruction and philology, reflecting the country’s emphasis on multilingual education. The University’s Languages Department has become a hub of excellence, not only teaching foreign languages to students in various programs but also engaging in research on language and literature.
The March 2025 linguistics conference is a prime example: it focused on “modern issues in linguistics and literary studies in the field of language teaching methodology”, facilitating discussion of cutting-edge approaches to teaching Uzbek and foreign languages. This event, and others like it, highlight Zarmed’s commitment to improving language education nationwide.
In addition, the department recently celebrated the publication of a new textbook titled “Introduction to Literary Studies”, authored by Nasrullaev Ravshankhon Sirojkhonovich, a lecturer at Zarmed. This comprehensive textbook introduces students to key concepts of literary theory and criticism, filling an important gap in Uzbek academia.
By producing such scholarly resources, Zarmed’s faculty are enriching the curriculum and providing students with up-to-date learning materials aligned with international standards. The university’s language initiatives extend beyond its campus as well – Zarmed has a formal cooperation agreement with the Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages, enabling exchange of expertise and collaborative programs.
This partnership strengthens foreign language instruction and teacher training, benefiting not only Zarmed students but the wider educational community in the region.
International Cooperation and Global Partnerships
True to its vision of being a globally engaged institution, Zarmed University has established an impressive network of international partnerships. These collaborations span multiple countries and serve to enhance academic quality, cultural exchange, and research capacity.
For instance, Zarmed University has partnered with Resource Exchange International (REI), a U.S.-based educational organization, to bolster English-language medical education at Zarmed. Under this partnership, experienced REI specialists are working with Zarmed’s faculty to improve the delivery of medical training in English, which in turn helps future doctors access the latest global research and contributes to improving the quality of healthcare in Uzbekistan.
Zarmed has also built ties in the Middle East and South Asia: notably, a university delegation visited Dubai Medical University in the United Arab Emirates to establish collaboration, resulting in agreements for faculty and student exchanges.
Such exchanges will allow Zarmed students and staff to gain international experience and bring best practices back home, while positioning Uzbekistan as an emerging hub for international medical students.
In addition, Zarmed has inked memoranda of cooperation with institutions like the University of Sharjah (UAE) and engaged with Temple University (USA) in areas like dentistry and medical research, underlining its broad global outreach. At home, the university is forging innovative partnerships as well – for example, it signed a cooperation memorandum with the Samarkand IT Park, aiming to integrate technology entrepreneurship and digital innovation opportunities for its students.
This connection with the local tech ecosystem will help Zarmed students in IT and related fields to develop startups and practical projects, keeping the university at the forefront of innovation. Across all these partnerships, the underlying theme is internationalization: Zarmed University is actively aligning with global academic standards and fostering a multicultural, collaborative environment for its students.
These efforts not only enhance the quality of education but also contribute to Uzbekistan’s diplomatic and educational ties with other nations, as evidenced by the involvement of foreign experts and institutions in Zarmed’s growth.
Commitment to Sustainability and Global Goals
In addition to academic excellence, Zarmed University is embracing its social responsibility by integrating sustainability into its campus development and operations. The university’s leadership recognizes the importance of green practices and has pursued initiatives to make its campuses more environmentally friendly.
As a result, Zarmed University has been included in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, a global index measuring universities’ sustainability performance. Zarmed’s presence in this ranking underscores its efforts in areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, and sustainability education.
In early 2025, Zarmed representatives took part in international sustainability dialogues – for example, the university participated in the International Sustainability Leadership Summit held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, which brought together leaders from UI GreenMetric member universities worldwide.
By engaging in these forums, Zarmed University is not only learning global best practices for campus sustainability but also contributing Uzbekistan’s perspective to the worldwide conversation on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This proactive stance on sustainability reflects a broader ethos of the institution: to educate responsible citizens and professionals who will lead in addressing environmental and social challenges. Zarmed’s commitment to green campus principles and international sustainability cooperation demonstrates how private universities in Uzbekistan are aligning with global trends and diplomatically contributing to common goals.
A Catalyst for Educational Development and Cooperation
In summary, the rise of Zarmed University highlights the broader development of private higher education in Uzbekistan and its positive impact. Through its high-quality education standards, emphasis on scientific research, innovative language programs, and wide-ranging international partnerships, Zarmed serves as a catalyst for progress in the country’s academic landscape.
Its dual campuses in Samarkand and Bukhara have expanded opportunities for youth in those regions, while its collaborations with foreign universities and organizations have created new channels for knowledge exchange and diplomacy in education.
Zarmed’s story illustrates how a private university can contribute to national development priorities – from improving healthcare education to advancing sustainability – all while upholding academic excellence.
As ministers and policymakers look to strengthen Uzbekistan’s human capital and global engagement, the example of Zarmed University offers insightful lessons. In bridging local needs with international best practices, and balancing entrepreneurial agility with scholarly rigor, Zarmed University is helping chart a new path for Uzbekistan’s higher education system.
It stands as a testament to the idea that public-private synergy in education can drive innovation, foster international understanding, and ultimately empower a new generation of leaders in Uzbekistan and beyond.
Nasrullaev Ravshankhon Sirojkhonovich
Nasrullaev Ravshankhon Sirojkhonovich is a Lecturer at the Department of Languages in ZARMED University, Uzbekistan.
