Developing financial autonomy in higher education: comparative analysis of university governance reforms in Central Asia

The study examines the role of financial autonomy in enhancing the governance and competitiveness of universities in Central Asia, with particular emphasis on Kyrgyzstan. Using descriptive statistics and system analysis, the research compares income sources, budget expenditures, and legal frameworks regulating university finance across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The findings demonstrate that greater financial autonomy enables universities to diversify revenue streams, improve transparency, and respond more effectively to external challenges. The Erasmus+ project Development of Financial Autonomy of Universities in Kyrgyzstan (DEFA) has served as a key initiative, promoting strategic financial management and accountability mechanisms within Kyrgyz universities. However, financial independence remains uneven across the region, with only limited implementation of autonomy models outside Kazakhstan. The results highlight the need for continued legal reforms and institutional capacity-building to ensure sustainable and transparent higher education governance in Central Asia.