An International Fashion Academy is being established in the city of Tashkent—a new state higher education institution that will operate under the Agency for Light Industry Development. The decision to create the academy was formalized by a decree of the President of Uzbekistan, signed on October 16.
The academy will begin its activities in the current academic year, utilizing the facilities of the Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry. This program was developed in collaboration with the Paris International Fashion Academy (Académie internationale de coupe de Paris). Students studying under this program will be able to continue their education at the new academy and receive its diploma.
The main goals for establishing the university are the development of the creative economy, fashion, and light industry. It is also planned to form and bring the national fashion school to the world stage, train qualified personnel, strengthen ties between science, production, and education, and support domestic brands. The academy is intended to create a competitive fashion industry based on national traditions and cultural heritage.
The new educational institution will be located on the territory of the Korean-Uzbek Educational and Practical Textile Technopark, which is currently closing down. In addition to its own undergraduate and master's courses, joint educational programs are planned with universities from France, Italy, Turkey, and Great Britain, and it will also accept international students.
Starting in the 2027/2028 academic year, the academy will implement a dual education model. This model aims to train specialists for the textile, sewing, knitwear, and leather footwear industries according to enterprise orders. During this time, the curriculum will be divided: 30% of the time will be spent at the university, and the remaining time will be spent directly in production.
Students from technical schools specializing in training personnel for the light industry who demonstrate a high GPA will be able to enter the academy in the third year on a paid basis. Furthermore, starting next year, a postgraduate education institute will appear in the academy's structure. The academy will also organize the development of clothing models for state needs and various services.