STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN A TRANSPORT HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION: FROM ACTIVITY INDICATORS TO OUTCOME INDICATORS (THE CASE OF TASHKENT STATE TRANSPORT UNIVERSITY, 2020–2025)

• Nazira Raxmonova

  Tashkent State Transport University, Uzbekistan

• Baxodir To‘rayev

  Academic Supervisor, Uzbekistan

Objective: This article analyzes the international cooperation indicators of Tashkent State Transport University (TSTU) for 2020–2025 in the context of internationalization theory and Uzbekistan's national higher education reforms. Method: Using the university's internal data, a national policy document, and international scholarly sources. Results: The study finds a strong quantitative expansion: international agreements grew from 9 to 257, foreign centers and laboratories from none to more than 15, staff trained abroad from 28 to 180 per year, and grants and investments from USD 1.7 million to USD 10.8 million. However, most reported indicators describe inputs and activities; outcome indicators such as graduate employment, employer assessment, and laboratory utilization are not systematically tracked. The study is limited by its reliance on unaudited institutional data and the absence of employer and graduate survey data, which are identified as priorities for further research. Novelty: Drawing on the Balanced Scorecard, the Triple Helix model and the PDCA cycle, the paper proposes a four-perspective strategic management model for international cooperation in transport universities, informed by the Luban Workshop experience and Uzbekistan's transnational education policy.

J. Knight, "Internationalization remodeled: Definition, approaches, and rationales," *J. Stud. Int. Educ.*, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 5–31, 2004, doi: 10.1177/1028315303260832.

J. Knight, "Updating the definition of internationalization," *Int. Higher Educ.*, no. 33, pp. 2–3, 2003. [Online]. Available: https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ihe/article/download/7391/6588

P. G. Altbach and J. Knight, "The internationalization of higher education: Motivations and realities," *J. Stud. Int. Educ.*, vol. 11, no. 3–4, pp. 290–305, 2007, doi: 10.1177/1028315307303542.

H. de Wit and P. G. Altbach, "Internationalization in higher education: Global trends and recommendations for its future," *Policy Rev. Higher Educ.*, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 28–46, 2021, doi: 10.1080/23322969.2020.1820898.

H. de Wit, "Internationalization in higher education: Critical reflections on its conceptual evolution," *Int. Higher Educ.*, no. 115, Summer 2023. [Online]. Available: https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ihe/article/download/16779/11841/36943

B. M. Kehm and U. Teichler, "Research on internationalisation in higher education," *J. Stud. Int. Educ.*, vol. 11, no. 3–4, pp. 260–273, 2007, doi: 10.1177/1028315307303534.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Decree No. PF-5847, "On approval of the Concept for the development of the higher education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan until 2030," Oct. 8, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://lex.uz/docs/6971334

S. Wilkins and B. Muratov, "Uzbekistan ranks third globally as host of international branch campuses," *Int. Higher Educ.*, no. 119, pp. 25–27, Summer 2024. [Online]. Available: https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ihe/article/download/18025/12399/36809

"Higher education in Uzbekistan," presentation, Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies (CEENQA). [Online]. Available: https://www.ceenqa.org/wp-content/uploads/higher_education_Uzbekistan.pdf

B. Muratov and S. Wilkins, "The development of Uzbekistan as a transnational higher education hub: Government and institution rationales, and early outcomes," *J. Higher Educ. Policy Manage.*, 2024, doi: 10.1080/1360080X.2024.2324404.

E. Troitskii and S. Iun, "Internationalization of higher education in Uzbekistan," Eurasian Studies analytical publication, Tomsk State Univ., Tomsk, Russia, n.d. [Online]. Available: https://eurasian-studies.tsu.ru/en/analytics/publications/evgenii-troitckii-sergei-iun-internatcionalizatciia-vysshego-obrazovaniia-v-uzbekistane-tceli-instrumenty-rol-rossii-i/download/1234/file_en

A. Nizamov, F. Gaybullaev, and U. Zahidova, "Development of foreign joint educational programs in the higher education system of the Republic of Uzbekistan," *E3S Web Conf.*, vol. 381, Art. no. 02019, 2023, doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/202338102019.

"Study visits to Uzbekistan rise 54% in 2025," *The PIE News*, Feb. 2, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://thepienews.com/study-visits-to-uzbekistan-rise-54-in-2025/

Tashkent State Transport University, "Internal data on international cooperation, 2020–2025," unpublished institutional report, 2025.

H. Etzkowitz and L. Leydesdorff, "The dynamics of innovation: From National Systems and 'Mode 2' to a Triple Helix of university–industry–government relations," *Res. Policy*, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 109–123, 2000, doi: 10.1016/S0048-7333(99)00055-4.

R. S. Kaplan and D. P. Norton, *The Balanced Scorecard: Translating Strategy into Action*. Boston, MA, USA: Harvard Business School Press, 1996.

V. Umashankar and K. Dutta, "Balanced scorecards in managing higher education institutions: An Indian perspective," *Int. J. Educ. Manage.*, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 54–67, 2007, doi: 10.1108/09513540710716821.

K. Lassoued, "Balanced scorecard implementation in higher education: An Emirati perspective," *Corporate Ownership & Control*, vol. 15, no. 3-1, pp. 205–216, 2018, doi: 10.22495/cocv15i3c1p5.

W. E. Deming, *Out of the Crisis*. Cambridge, MA, USA: MIT Press, 1986.

R. Y. Chan, "Understanding international joint and dual degree programs," *J. Comp. Int. Higher Educ.*, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 86–107, 2021, doi: 10.32674/jcihe.v13i5.3690.

J. Wang, "Cooperative project Luban Workshop sets standard for instructional excellence," *China Daily*, Nov. 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://regional.chinadaily.com.cn/en/2024-11/21/c_1046997.htm

"Luban Workshops connect BRI countries," *China Daily* (Study China), Aug. 31, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://studychina.chinaservicesinfo.com/s/202208/31/WS630ebea2498ea274927a22d0/luban-workshops-connect-bri-countries.html

• VIEW ARTICLE

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.