Safe Student App Controversy at Uzbekistan State World Languages University: Dean Dismissed

The controversy surrounding the installation of the Safe Student mobile application by students at Uzbekistan State World Languages University has reached the university's administration. Ulugbek Yuldoshev, Dean of the Faculty of Translation, has been dismissed from his position.

The incident sparked widespread public discussion after students' complaints began circulating on social media. According to the complaints, some students were required to install the application on their phones in order to enter the university premises and attend classes.

Students said that some of them arrived late to their classes because of the time spent installing the application. There were also reports that some students were marked as absent in attendance records. Videos shared on social media showed faculty representatives approaching students in classrooms and asking them to download the application.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation also responded to the situation, announcing that a working group had been established to investigate the matter.

The central issue in the controversy is the distinction between the purpose of a digital tool designed to improve student safety and the methods used to introduce it into the educational process.

The Safe Student application includes several features, such as a digital student ID, class attendance monitoring, oversight of student dormitory activities, and an SOS alert function for emergencies. However, the situation has also raised questions about balancing the introduction of such digital tools with students' right to education and institutional requirements.

The dean's dismissal became one of the administrative consequences of the incident at the university. However, the ministry's final investigation findings and detailed information about the circumstances that led to the personnel decision have not yet been made public.

Author: Hasanboy OCHUN