Institutional approach

Termez State University (TerSU) supports reasoned, respectful and evidence-based discussion through university-hosted debates, facilitated question-and-answer meetings and exchanges involving students and public-sector representatives. The university’s published debate-club framework identifies impartiality, respect, truthfulness and scientific reasoning as expectations for constructive discussion. In 2025, this approach was reflected in an inter-university debate event and issue-focused meetings on legal and civic matters.

1. Regional “Munozara” academic debate platform | 29 May 2025

TerSU hosted the regional stage of the “Munozara” inter-university intellectual debate. Students from higher education institutions across Surkhandarya defended their viewpoints on set topics, answered questions and exchanged arguments in a structured academic environment. The event created a common venue for presenting different positions and testing them through reasoned discussion.

2. Structured discussion norms and impartial moderation

TerSU’s publicly announced “Munozara” debate-club framework sets expectations for speakers and expert review. It names respect, impartiality, truthfulness, scientific reasoning and the ability to analyse opposing arguments as principles of debate. It also specifies roles for speakers, managers and experts. This framework predates the 2025 event and provides documented institutional context for the university’s debate format.

3. Public-sector dialogue on sensitive civic issues | 2025

On 2 May 2025, TerSU hosted an open roundtable on preventing offences affecting female students. Participants included a representative of the Surkhandarya Regional National Guard Directorate, university women’s council representatives, faculty advisers and students. Participants exchanged views on legal and ethical questions and students raised questions directly with the invited public-sector representative.

On 21 February 2025, the university also convened a discussion involving an international research centre and a regional rehabilitation and adaptation centre to address risks associated with radicalisation and social stability. These meetings demonstrate the university’s capacity to convene academic, public-sector and student participants around difficult societal issues.

2025 evidence matrix

Contribution to SDG 16

The documented events advance civic dialogue, legal awareness, peaceful discussion and the ability to evaluate competing arguments. TerSU contributes academic space, facilitation and subject expertise for conversations on public issues, consistent with SDG Target 16.7 (inclusive and participatory decision-making) and Target 16.10 (public access to information).