Recognition of Interdisciplinary Research Through KPI System
Our university’s Scientific Department and Department of Doctoral Degrees monitor and evaluate interdisciplinary research and academic achievements based on the regulatory framework set by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan – “On Measures to Further Improve the Postgraduate Education System” (Ўзбекистон Республикаси Вазирлар Маҳкамасининг қарори “Олий таълимдан кейинги таълим тизимини янада такомиллаштириш чора–тадбирлари тўғрисида“). 304-сон 22.05.2017. Олий таълимдан кейинги таълим тизимини янада такомиллаштириш чора-тадбирлари тўғрисида
Moreover, Navoi State University has a Key Performance Indicators (KPI) system that acknowledges and rewards faculty members, researchers, and students for their contributions to interdisciplinary research and academic excellence. This system provides financial incentives based on measurable achievements, ensuring career growth and motivation for scholars engaged in interdisciplinary work.
Scientific and Research Achievements
Faculty and researchers are rewarded for the following:
Doctor of Science (DSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees – for successfully defending dissertations
Scientific supervision – for mentoring PhD and DSc candidates
Professorship and Associate Professorship (Dotsent) titles – for receiving academic titles
Patent acquisition – for obtaining patents on research innovations
High-impact publications – for publishing in Scopus, Web of Science, Springer, with an impact factor of 6 or higher
Participation in interdisciplinary research projects – for engaging in research that contributes to higher education and innovation
Academic and Educational Contributions
Publication of textbooks and educational materials – for authoring textbooks, teaching manuals, and monographs
Implementation of modern teaching methods – for developing and applying new pedagogical approaches using digital tools
Foreign language proficiency – for obtaining an international or national language certificate (English)
Financial Rewards System
Faculty, researchers, and students receive financial incentives based on their academic and research achievements:
Authors of publications receive 20% of allocated funding, distributed based on authorship contribution in co-authored works.
Supervisors are rewarded 50% of their salary (for national-level achievements) and 25% (for regional-level achievements).
Students receive up to 5 times the minimum wage (national level) and up to 2 times (regional level).
Funds received in institutional accounts are distributed at 60%–80%, but not exceeding one month’s salary.
For preparatory courses and training programs, additional payment policies apply if regular salary structures do not cover them.
Through this structured KPI-based reward system, the university fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, academic innovation, and career progression for scholars and students.
Role of the Career and Employment Center in Supporting Interdisciplinary Development
Navoi State University further reinforces its support for interdisciplinary development through the activities of its “Career and Employment Center” established as an independent structural unit of the university in 2025. While the Center is primarily responsible for graduate employability, its functions extend beyond job placement and play a meaningful role in connecting interdisciplinary education and research with real-world practice.
The Center operates at the intersection of academia and the labor market. It continuously monitors the employment outcomes of graduates and analyses the evolving needs of employers across various sectors of the economy. This approach is particularly important for interdisciplinary fields, where knowledge and skills often span multiple domains and do not fit into a single traditional profession. By maintaining close cooperation with state and non-state organizations, the Center helps ensure that graduates with interdisciplinary backgrounds are not overlooked but instead matched with opportunities that value their diverse competencies.
Another important aspect of the Center’s work is its contribution to academic planning. Based on labor market research and employer feedback, it provides recommendations for opening new educational programmes or revising existing ones. These recommendations often reflect the growing demand for hybrid and interdisciplinary expertise, thereby indirectly shaping the university’s academic and research priorities.
The Center also actively organises career fairs, “Career Days,” and meetings with industry experts, creating spaces where students and graduates can engage with professionals from different fields. These interactions expose learners to the practical relevance of interdisciplinary knowledge and encourage them to apply their skills in complex, real-life contexts. In doing so, the university fosters not only academic achievement but also adaptability and innovation.
In addition, the Center supports students in developing essential career skills, such as preparing CVs, navigating job interviews, and understanding labor legislation. These services are particularly valuable for individuals engaged in interdisciplinary pathways, as they often need to present and position their diverse skill sets in a clear and competitive way.
Employment Outcomes Demonstrating the Value of Interdisciplinary Competencies
Further evidence of the institutional recognition of interdisciplinary knowledge can be seen in graduate employment outcomes monitored by Navoi State University. According to official data for the 2024/2025 academic year, the university produced 4,246 graduates across 26 bachelor’s and 14 master’s programmes. Of these, 2,568 graduates (60.5%) secured employment, while overall employment engagement (including further study and other forms of activity) reached 78.2%.
Importantly, while the majority of employed graduates (80.3%) work within their primary field of study, a significant proportion (19.7%) are employed in other sectors and professional areas. This indicates a degree of flexibility and transferability of skills, which is a key characteristic of interdisciplinary education. Graduates are able to apply their knowledge across different domains, demonstrating that the competencies developed at the university are not limited to narrow specializations.
The university’s Career and Employment Center plays a central role in facilitating this process by regularly disseminating updated information on job vacancies, including those provided by regional employment authorities, and by maintaining active links with employers across multiple sectors. Through these mechanisms, graduates with interdisciplinary profiles are supported in accessing a wider range of career opportunities.
This data highlights that interdisciplinary learning is not only encouraged at the institutional level but is also reflected in real labor market outcomes. The ability of graduates to transition into diverse professional fields serves as practical evidence that interdisciplinary competencies are recognised, valued, and effectively integrated into career pathways.
