Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on December 15 signed a decree on establishing the Islamic Academy in the country, according to UzDaily.com.  

The decree says that the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan is the founder of the Islamic Academy that will be a non-state higher educational and research institution.

The Academy will have a two-year MA course (two), a three-year basic doctorate course and a three-year doctorate course.  

UzDaily.com says the Academy will accept nationals of Uzbekistan and other countries for education and research on a contract-grant basis.  

For independent researchers, the Academy is planned to provide opportunities for distance training and independent research.  

The decree notes that the Academy will accept 16 students for a master’s degree programs in the 2018-2019 academic year.