Amid the closure of educational avenues in Ukraine for Indian students pursuing MBBS due to the ongoing war, there has been a remarkable surge in enrollment at the 93-year-old State Samarkand Medical University in Uzbekistan. Traditionally, the public university would admit approximately 100 to 150 Indian students up until 2021; however, in 2023, the number has skyrocketed to 3,000. Notably, the university has also extended its support to over 1,000 Indian students who were previously enrolled in various Ukrainian universities but had to discontinue their courses.
Dr. Zafar Aminov, the vice-chancellor of State Samarkand Medical University, emphasized the university’s commitment to accommodating the growing influx of Indian students. To facilitate a smoother transition for students, the university has hired more than 40 teachers from India. Despite the duration of the MBBS program being six years in Uzbekistan, compared to five and a half years in India, the appeal lies in English as the medium of instruction, a peaceful environment, affordable fees, and practical exposure.
Furthermore, the university’s proactive response to the crisis in Ukraine has garnered attention. The institution not only opened its doors to new applicants but also offered refuge to Indian students stranded midway through their MBBS courses in Ukraine. Dr. Aminov assured that measures are in place to ensure that the increasing trend of Indian students choosing Samarkand University continues, emphasizing the importance of cultural proximity between teachers and students to enhance the learning experience.
With a focus on creating a conducive learning environment, the university aims to address any potential language barriers by employing teachers who are culturally familiar to the students. Sunil Sharma, Director of MD House, a consultancy firm serving as an official admission partner at the university, praised Samarkand as a “hidden gem of Central Asia.” He highlighted the secure environment it provides for Indian students, especially girls, and emphasized that Uzbekistan has emerged as an attractive alternative destination for medical education, given the unfortunate circumstances in Ukraine.