Current student financing system, student loan program and graduate outcomes assessment in Uzbekistan

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST ASSIGNMENT PARTICULARS Country Republic of Uzbekistan Client / Borrower Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Implementing Agency Education Loan Financing Fund Management Department (ELFFMD) within MEF Program EduImkon: Redesigning Opportunity, Delivering Education Equity Program Grant Number Grant . TF0C8875 Assignment Title Current student financing system, student loan program and graduate outcomes assessment in Uzbekistan Selection Method Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) — World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers Assignment Duration 2 to 3 months from the date of contract signing REOI Reference UZ-MEF-15-CS-CQS EOI Submission Deadline September 17, 2026, at 18:00 hours Tashkent time BACKGROUND The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan is implementing reforms to expand equitable access to higher education and strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and inclusiveness of student financing mechanisms. In this context, the World Bank-financed US$2 million Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) supports the preparation and implementation readiness of the Student Loan Program through analytical studies, institutional capacity building, implementation support, and policy development. As the Student Loan Program becomes an important instrument for expanding access to higher education, a comprehensive assessment is required to evaluate its current performance, financial sustainability, risks, institutional and operational arrangements, accessibility, beneficiary outcomes, and alignment with higher education and labour market objectives. The assessment will also examine Uzbekistan’s readiness for potential transition toward more equitable income-contingent financing arrangements, including the necessary legal, institutional, administrative, and data-related requirements. To this end, the Government intends to engage a qualified Research Institution or Consulting Firm to conduct the assessment and devel