In an increasingly competitive and interconnected academic environment, universitiesare expected not only to produce high-quality research but also to address complex challenges through interdisciplinary approaches. Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL), widely regarded as Uzbekistan’s leading institution in legal education, continues to strengthen its international academic standing through sustained reforms, research development, and global engagement.

The United Kingdom-based Times Higher Education (THE) has recently published the results of itsInterdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026, which assess universities based on the integration of multiple academic disciplines, research quality, and contributions to addressing global challenges. In the 2026 edition, 911 universities from 94 countrieswere evaluated, underscoring the growing significance of interdisciplinary research in the global knowledge economy.

For the first time, TSUL has been included in this ranking framework, receiving the designation of “Reporter.” This statusis assigned to institutions recognized by THE as emerging participants with strong potential for future inclusion in the main рейтинговаягруппа. Reporter institutionsare actively engagedwith THE methodologies and demonstrate measurable progress in research capacity and academic performance.

TSUL’s recognition represents an important milestone for Uzbekistan’s higher legal education system. In recent years, the university has implemented a series of structural and academic reforms aimed at enhancing research output, fostering interdisciplinary methodologies, and aligning educational standards with international benchmarks. Particular emphasishas been placed on research at the intersection of law, economics, digital technologies, and social sciences, contributing to a more diversified and globally relevant academic portfolio.

In parallel, TSUL has significantly expanded its international cooperation. The university has established joint academic programs and partnerships with higher education institutions across Europe, Asia, and North America. These initiatives support academic mobility, collaborative research, and faculty exchange, thereby increasing TSUL’s integration into the global academic community.

International rankings such as THE serve not only as evaluative instruments but also as mechanisms shaping institutional reputation and strategic development. TSUL’s inclusion in theInterdisciplinary Science Rankings 2026indicates a broader trend: higher education institutions in Uzbekistan are becoming more visible, competitive, and engaged at the global level.

Looking forward, TSUL aims to transition from Reporter status to full ranking participation, further expand its interdisciplinary research agenda, and consolidate its role as a regional hub for legal scholarship, innovation, and academic excellence.

KholiskhonUmarova and UmidaBekmirzaeva
Law Lecturers, Business and Corportae Law Department
Tashkent State University of Law