COVID-19 and Higher Education in Uzbekistan: Lessons from Two Universities

Abstract

COVID-19 led to a global movement as higher education policy-makers and leaders are disseminating their experiences during the 2020-2022 pandemic era under the heading of "Lessons Learned from COVID-19". The available research, policy-briefs, interviews, books, conferences, and webinars might include innovative titles and themes; however, the mainstream of all works specially by late 2021 and during 2022 is on the lessons learned from COVID-19. The present research with its qualitative research design aims to portray the experience of academic staff and students from two universities in Uzbekistan: Urgench State University (UrSU) and Tashkent State University of Economics (TSUE). A total number of 414 responses (academic staff 64 and students 350) were received through Google Forms. Data analysis was administered through Strauss and Corbin's (1998) Constant Comparative method of data analysis with peer reviewing to ensure the credibility of the emerged themes. Educational Weaknesses and Strengths, as well as Psychological Problems: Study at Home and Depression were the two main emerged themes. Leadership advice is also presented by members of both universities to help Higher Education (HE) policy-makers and leaders in Uzbekistan improve the quality of education at their universities and colleges.