09.09.2026

CELEBRATING TWO LANDMARK ANNIVERSARIES!

These days, the Bukhara State University community is marking two significant milestones on a broad scale and at a high level: the 35th anniversary of the state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the 96th anniversary of the University’s establishment as a higher education institution.

Guided by the central idea “One Homeland, One People — Together We Create a New Life and a New Future!”, the BukhSU community is not only commemorating these historic anniversaries, but also continuing to contribute to the development of New Uzbekistan by enhancing the quality of education, advancing research, and introducing digital technologies.

Bukhara State University, which has long made a significant contribution to the spiritual, educational, social and economic life of historic Bukhara within a New Uzbekistan confidently advancing towards new horizons, has reached the venerable age of 96. Understanding the University’s history and studying the lives of those who laid its foundations, brought its name international recognition, and enhanced its reputation through their scholarship, professional achievements and dedicated service are of profound importance. Indeed, the scholarly, creative and pedagogical journeys of educators who devoted their lives to this distinguished centre of learning constitute an invaluable source of inspiration for younger generations.

Every year, large numbers of young people are admitted to our University. Naturally, they are keen to learn about the history of Bukhara State University — when it was first established and the different names it has carried throughout its history. Knowing and taking pride in the history of the institution where we study and work is both a responsibility and a duty for each of us. This, in fact, is one of the principal purposes behind the establishment of the University History Museum. Visitors who encounter photographs and biographical information about the rectors who led the institution over nearly a century, as well as the scholars and educators who devoted their lives to enlightening younger generations, may feel as though they have stepped directly into the depths of history.

To provide a comprehensive account of the history of Bukhara’s first higher education institution, the museum’s holdings are complemented by a range of archival documents and rare photographs. According to information submitted by Vakhabov, Head of the Bukhara District Department of Public Education (OkrONO), to the People’s Commissariat for Education of the Uzbek SSR (Narkompros), a meeting of the Collegium for Culture and Education (Kultpros) held on April 14, 1930, adopted a decision, under the plan of the People’s Commissariat for Education, to establish the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute — written as “aliy” under the orthographic conventions of the period — together with six technical schools specializing in textiles, sericulture, medicine, Tajik pedagogy, animal husbandry and cotton production, all financed from the state budget. In May 1930, the Third Regional Party Conference also considered the issue of retraining teaching professionals in Bukhara.

Documents held in the Bukhara Regional State Archive likewise confirm that preparations for the academic year were under way in 1930. In particular, on April 4, 1930, the Bukhara OkrONO (District Department of Public Education) applied to the city council for a building to serve as a dormitory for the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute. In response, Bukhkomstaris reported that the Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah would be vacated by its tenants as of September 1, 1930, making it available for use as a dormitory. These documents provide further evidence that preparations for the establishment of the new institute in Bukhara had begun.

Fund No. 94 of the Central State Archive of the Republic of Uzbekistan contains documents of the People’s Commissariat for Education of the Uzbek SSR. One of these records states that in the autumn of 1930, 64 students were admitted to the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute instead of the planned intake of 105. A list of educational institutions in Uzbekistan compiled by the People’s Commissariat also indicates that Bukhara did not yet have a higher education institution during the 1929–1930 academic year and that one was planned to open in the 1930–1931 academic year.

At a meeting of the Collegium of the People’s Commissariat for Education of the Uzbek SSR held on June 2, 1930, it was emphasized that particular attention should be given to applicants arriving with recommendations during admission to higher education institutions, including the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute.

At the July 17, 1930 meeting of the Central Executive Committee of the Uzbek SSR, according to a report by the renowned poet and writer Botu on the results of the 1929–1930 academic year and preparations by the People’s Commissariat for Education for the 1930–1931 academic year, Bukhara’s first higher education institution was initially specialized in training schoolteachers.

In 2016, on the occasion of BukhSU’s 85th anniversary, research conducted by us in the collections of the National Archival Fund of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Bukhara Regional State Archive led to the first discovery of the original of an important document concerning the establishment of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute. A copy of the document was subsequently presented to the BukhSU History Museum.

Remarkably, the reference to this document, which had been sought for almost a century, was found not in the collections of the aforementioned state archives, but in the personal archive of Karimjon Vakhabov, the first Director of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute. The particular significance of the document, discovered at the Bukhara Museum of Fine Arts, lies in the fact that it records the date September 9, 1930. It is precisely for this reason that September 9 is commemorated annually as the founding day of Bukhara State University.

A sphragistic study — the scholarly examination of seals — indicates that the seals appearing on the documents record the institution’s original name as the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute (BHPI).

Furthermore, among the exhibits from the personal archive of Karimjon Vakhabov, the first Director of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute, held at the Bukhara Museum of Fine Arts, a photograph was discovered depicting the ceremonial opening of the institution on November 7, 1930.

Opening Ceremony of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute

November 7, 1930

The photograph provides valuable information about the Institute’s first Director, the name of the institution and its original teaching faculty, as well as the first academic building, which was situated near the Ark Fortress and now houses School No. 6. The historic photograph also features Karimjon Vakhabov (fifth from the right in the first row), who had previously served as Head of the Bukhara District Department of Public Education, played a central role in establishing the institution, and was appointed the first Director of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute in 1930.

Karimjon Vakhabov (1902–1959)

First Director of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute

Reports of the People’s Commissariat for Education of the Uzbek SSR record that a total of 64 students — 49 male and 15 female — were admitted to the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute in the autumn of 1930. The programme of study lasted three years. In 1933, 35 students graduated from the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute.

The First Graduates of the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute, 1933

During the 1930–1931 academic year, the institution did not yet have faculties; instead, it operated through departments. In 1930, the Social and Literary and Chemistry and Biology departments were in operation. The Agricultural and Pedagogical Department was established in 1931, followed by the Physics and Technology Department in 1932.

As of January 1, 1931, 27 students were enrolled in the Social and Literary Department and 26 in the Chemistry and Biology Department, making a total of 53 students. In 1931, 40 students studied in the Agricultural and Pedagogical Department, while in 1932 16 students were enrolled in the Physics and Technology Department. Among the first faculty members to teach the students were Ioaganson, Dmitriev, Kozhin, Kamenko, Rudnyansky, Sharif-zoda, Rahimiy, Said-Ahmadiy and Sitnikov. Because the students did not have a strong command of Russian, interpreter-assistants were also employed.

In the same year, the Institute established evening courses in Bukhara and Kogon. Considerable attention was also devoted to preparatory education. These programmes included one-year courses for workers, two-year courses for educators, and several other short-term preparatory courses.

By the end of 1932, plans had been developed to establish seven new departments at the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics, History, Economics and Literature. A two-year branch, the Khorezm Institute for Teacher Training, also operated under the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute and admitted students from Karakalpakstan.

According to a document held in the Bukhara Regional State Archive containing a chart of student enrolment at the Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute between 1930 and 1933, the student population stood at 64 in 1930, 180 in 1931, 246 in 1932 and 211 in 1933.

Another important document of the Council of People’s Commissars, approved with the signature of F. Khojayev, was a decision adopted on March 29, 1935, permanently transferring the former Uzbekkarakul building to the Bukhara Pedagogical Institute.

In 1945, the Karshi branch of the Bukhara United State Pedagogical and Teachers’ Institute was established. In October 1949, an independent Teachers’ Institute was established on the basis of this branch, followed by the establishment of the Karshi State Pedagogical Institute in 1956.

Bukhara State University Has Operated Under the Following Names:

1930 — Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute;

from 1931 — Bukhara Higher Pedagogical Institute named after Fayzulla Khojayev;

from 1933 — Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute named after Fayzulla Khojayev;

from 1937 — Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze;

from 1938 — Bukhara United State Pedagogical and Teachers’ Institute named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze;

from 1954 — Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze;

from 1981 — Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute named after S. Ordzhonikidze, awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour;

from 1990 — Bukhara State Pedagogical Institute named after Fayzulla Khojayev.

From the earliest days of independence, particular attention began to be devoted to the further development of this centre of learning. On February 28, 1992, a Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan was issued “On the Establishment of Bukhara State University from March 15, 1992, on the Basis of the F. Khojayev State Pedagogical Institute.” Thus, from 1992 onwards, our institution acquired its present status and name — Bukhara State University.

A series of important cultural, educational and commemorative events are being held at the University to mark these historic anniversaries. Rector of BukhSU, Doctor of Economics and Professor Obidjon Khamidov, warmly congratulated the university community, educators and students on the 35th anniversary of independence and BukhSU’s 96th anniversary, while highlighting the University’s achievements during the years of independence.

From the first days of the new academic year, “Independence Lessons” have been organized across all faculties, focusing on the value of independence, the far-reaching reforms being implemented throughout the country, and the role of young people in building the foundations of New Uzbekistan.

To mark the two anniversaries, the University is hosting a wide range of cultural and educational activities, including student competitions celebrating the Homeland, sporting events and creative evenings. Particular emphasis is placed on fostering patriotism among young people, strengthening their commitment to national values and cultivating respect for the ideals of independence.

Warmest congratulations on these celebrations, dear colleagues and valued students!

Azalshoh Hamrayev —

Chairman of the Bukhara Branch of the Society of Historians of Uzbekistan,

Director of the Museum of the Memory of Victims of Repression within the structure of BukhSU,

Associate Professor.