The issues of improving the system of training engineering personnel for agriculture and water management were considered

On March 10, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation of proposals for improving the training system for engineering personnel in agriculture and water management, the press service of the head of our state reports.

It was noted that in a number of areas, science is gradually drifting away from practice. Specifically, in the implementation of some major projects in agriculture and water management, insufficient attention is paid to scientific justification and expert evaluation, and the potential of scientists and researchers is not fully utilized. As a result, some projects are not producing the expected results.

Currently, the National Research University “Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers” has over 11,000 students, seven faculties, 37 departments, and 38 educational programs. The graduate employment rate is 93 percent. The number of international students and faculty members is also steadily increasing.

At the same time, the need for widespread implementation of a dual education system was noted to ensure the integration of theory and practice in the training of engineering personnel.

According to the proposed new system, students will receive four days of theoretical instruction and two days of paid internships at industrial facilities. Specifically, in the water management program, they will be given the opportunity to participate in water conservation and efficient irrigation projects; in hydraulic engineering and hydropower, they will participate in canal concreting, costing, and construction of small hydroelectric power plants; and in agricultural mechanization, they will participate in equipment preparation and harvesting.

It was noted that a significant portion of the country’s water resources depends on transboundary sources. In this regard, it was emphasized that training diplomats in the field of water resources is a key strategic objective.

A proposal to expand the university’s Master’s program in International Water Diplomacy and increase the quota for admissions through state grants was approved. This program is intended to train highly qualified specialists for neighboring countries.

The presentation also presented new initiatives aimed at strengthening the university’s scientific and innovative potential. Specifically, plans are underway to provide services such as drone-based crop monitoring, yield forecasting, pest control, and the development of scientific recommendations based on space monitoring data.

To this end, the university will launch drone piloting courses, establish a space and satellite research laboratory, and build integrated research laboratories.

Furthermore, plans were presented to implement digital management systems and KPIs at the university, as well as to develop a personnel training system based on the continuous educational chain “school-technical school-university-industry.”

At the end of the presentation, the head of state instructed the responsible officials to improve the training system for engineering personnel in agriculture and water management, ensure the integration of science and practice, and promote the widespread adoption of advanced technologies.