Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan

Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan
Name	Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan
Native name	Oʻzbekiston Fanlar akademiyasi
Established	1943
Headquarters	Tashkent
President	Bekhzod Yuldashev
Country	Uzbekistan
Predecessor	Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR

Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. It is the primary state scientific institution of Uzbekistan, responsible for coordinating fundamental research across the natural, technical, and social sciences. Founded during the Soviet era as the Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR, it was re-established following the nation's independence. The academy plays a central role in shaping national science policy and fostering innovation within the Central Asian region.

History

The academy's origins trace back to 1943, when it was established in Tashkent as the Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR, a branch of the Academy of Sciences of the Soviet Union. Its early development was significantly influenced by prominent scientists evacuated to Uzbekistan during World War II, such as Ivan Knunyants and Alexander Sadykov. In the postwar period, it grew into a major center for research on the region's natural resources and cultural heritage. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it was reorganized into its current form by a decree of the first President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, in 1992, marking a new era of national scientific sovereignty.

Structure and organization

The academy is governed by a Presidium located in Tashkent, led by a president, currently Bekhzod Yuldashev. Its scientific work is organized into several specialized departments, including the Department of Physical-Mathematical and Technical Sciences, the Department of Chemical-Technological and Earth Sciences, and the Department of Biological Sciences. The supreme scientific body is the General Assembly, which comprises full and corresponding members elected for their distinguished contributions. The institution also oversees a network of regional scientific centers, such as the Karimov Scientific Center in Samarkand and the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Karakalpakstan in Nukus.

Research institutes

The academy coordinates a vast network of specialized research institutes conducting fundamental and applied studies. Key entities include the Institute of Nuclear Physics in Ulugbek, the Institute of Chemistry of Plant Substances named after Sadykov, and the Institute of Seismology. Significant work in the humanities is carried out by the Institute of Oriental Studies named after Abu Rayhan al-Biruni and the Institute of History. Other prominent institutes focus on areas like astronomy at the Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute, mathematics at the Institute of Mathematics named after Vladimir Romanovsky, and genetics at the Institute of Genetics and Plant Experimental Biology.

Scientific activities and achievements

Scientific activities span diverse fields, with notable achievements in studying the Aral Sea basin's ecology, seismic monitoring of the Tien Shan mountains, and the development of new pharmaceutical compounds from local flora. Researchers have made significant contributions to archaeology through excavations at historic sites like Afrasiyab and Termez, and to astronomy with the construction of the MASTER robotic telescope network. The academy also publishes numerous scholarly journals, including the "Doklady Akademii Nauk Respubliki Uzbekistan" and oversees major projects in biotechnology, renewable energy, and the digital cataloging of ancient manuscripts from the Moyie Mubarek Library Museum.

International cooperation

The institution maintains extensive international partnerships with major global scientific organizations. It collaborates with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Health Organization. Bilateral agreements exist with the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences of the United States. It actively participates in programs under the International Science and Technology Center and hosts joint research initiatives with institutions like the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna and the CERN laboratory.

Notable members

Throughout its history, the academy has elected many distinguished scientists to its membership. Early influential figures included chemist Alexander Sadykov, mathematician Tahir Qoriyoqov, and historian Yahyo Gʻulomov. Renowned orientalist Akramov and physicist Dilmurod Oripov are among its notable scholars. The roster of foreign members has included prominent international scientists such as Nikolay Bogolyubov, Andrey Sakharov, and Yevgeny Primakov, reflecting the academy's historical and ongoing connections to the global scientific community.

Category:Scientific organizations based in Uzbekistan Category:National academies of sciences Category:Research institutes in Uzbekistan