Member Story - Tashkent State University of Law

Building institutional capacity

Associate Professor Botirjon Kosimov

Head of Transformation Department

Real-world tips

Build a shared understanding of quality early
Bring senior colleagues together for joint training so everyone works to the same principles and expectations.
Use external frameworks to support internal change
Recognised reference points (e.g. ESG, the UK Quality Code) help structure systems and strengthen decision‑making.
Invest in staff capability, not just systems
Training, resources and peer learning help colleagues move beyond compliance and apply quality confidently.
Make student partnership intentional
Clear, multi‑level representation structures make partnership meaningful and consistent.
Turn quality principles into action
Evidence‑based approaches (such as gap analysis and clear priorities) help translate policy into improvement.
Use data to inform decisions
Data helps teams identify gaps, set priorities and track progress.
Benchmark widely to build confidence
External networks and international partners validate progress and broaden perspective.

Tashkent State University of Law students throwing graduation caps

This case study shows how Tashkent State University of Law (TSUL) built the knowledge, skills and systems needed to strengthen its internal quality processes.

Membership at TSUL

For us, QAA membership has been fundamentally about building institutional capacity, not simply meeting external requirements. When we began this work, TSUL was undergoing a period of major transformation. While we were committed to improving the student learning experience, we lacked confidence that our systems and approaches were fully aligned with international expectations. QAA provided a trusted external reference point, helping us understand not only what standards we should work towards, but how to build effective quality systems in practice.

Beyond compliance

One of the most important shifts supported by QAA was moving away from a compliance‑focused, “box‑ticking” approach. QAA’s emphasis on enhancement and student‑centred learning helped us reframe quality as a tool for improvement, rather than control, and sharpened our focus on building sustainable internal capability.

Shared understanding

Professional learning played a key role in this. The International Quality Assurance Programme in 2023 helped us understand the ESG and the UK Quality Code in practical terms and learn from other institutions facing similar challenges. In 2024, a five‑day in‑person training programme delivered by QAA brought together around 30 senior colleagues, including deans, department heads and managers. For the first time, we developed a shared understanding of quality principles and expectations across the institution.

Stronger systems

This collective learning strengthened our capacity to review systems critically, identify gaps and think more structurally about quality culture and self‑evaluation. QAA conferences and workshops, particularly those focused on student engagement and the use of data, further supported this by encouraging more evidence‑based decision‑making. We applied this learning directly through clearer priorities, more structured action plans and stronger monitoring processes.

Visible impact

QAA’s approach also supported the development of meaningful student partnership. Guided by its student‑centred focus, we introduced a three‑level student representation system at department, faculty and university levels. This has helped embed student voice more consistently in both teaching and quality processes.

The impact of this capacity building is now visible. Staff are more engaged and more confident in applying core quality concepts such as learning outcomes, constructive alignment and assessment for learning. Quality is increasingly understood as a shared responsibility, supported by more coherent and evidence‑based systems. For students, this has translated into more student‑centred learning and clearer opportunities to influence change.

For us, QAA membership has provided both an external anchor and practical support, helping us build the capability needed to sustain improvement with confidence and clarity.