Earning the degree of Doctor of Sciences is one of the highest academic achievements in Kyrgyzstan. Behind this status lie not only years of a researcher's work but also an entire set of requirements, ranging from the structure of the dissertation itself to publications in international databases. Familiarising oneself with the current rules in advance is essential, as even a minor inaccuracy in the paperwork or an unfortunate choice of journal may result in the work being rejected. Set out below are the key requirements to be taken into account when preparing a doctoral dissertation in the Kyrgyz Republic.
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All requirements governing the preparation and defence of dissertations in the Kyrgyz Republic are laid down in the “Regulations on the procedure for awarding scientific degrees” updated in 2025.
What is a doctoral dissertation?
A doctoral dissertation is a scholarly qualification work in which a researcher independently resolves a major scientific problem or opens up a new line of enquiry within their field. What distinguishes it from a candidate's dissertation is its scale: a doctoral work must do more than simply supplement existing knowledge – it must noticeably reshape the way the field is understood. This accounts for the higher standard, both in substance and in presentation.
A dissertation may be submitted for defence in one or two scientific specialities within a single branch of science. Responsibility for the completeness of the account and the reliability of the findings rests personally with the candidate and their academic consultant.
Structure of a doctoral dissertation
A doctoral dissertation follows a well-established academic structure to which dissertation councils in Kyrgyzstan adhere. The work traditionally comprises:
- Title page.
- Abstract.
- Table of contents.
- Introduction – setting out the relevance of the topic, stating the aims and objectives, and describing the scientific novelty and the propositions put forward for defence.
- Main body, typically made up of several chapters covering theoretical analysis, research methodology and results.
- Conclusion summarising the findings and offering recommendations.
- List of references.
- Appendices (where required).
The specific formatting requirements – font, line spacing, margins, and the style of citations and the bibliography – are laid down in the methodological guidelines of the HAC KR (Higher Attestation Commission of the Kyrgyz Republic) and in the regulations of the particular dissertation council. Before beginning to format the work, these matters should be clarified directly with the council where the defence is planned.
A dissertation in the Kyrgyz Republic may be prepared in the state language (Kyrgyz) or in the official language (Russian).
Who may apply for the Doctor of Sciences degree?
Clearance to defend is by no means granted to everyone. Before proceeding to a doctoral work, a researcher must already hold the Candidate of Sciences degree and demonstrate sustained activity in their chosen field. The basic conditions are as follows:
- The topic and the academic consultant must have been approved by a decision of the academic council no less than 5 years prior to the defence.
- The doctoral work is carried out independently, without co-authorship.
- Scientific results and propositions previously put forward in the candidate's dissertation may not be resubmitted.
How many publications are required to defend a doctoral dissertation?
The main findings of the research must be published before the defence, so that the academic community has the opportunity to assess the researcher's work in advance. Under the current Regulations on the Procedure for Awarding Academic Titles, the minimum set of publications is as follows:
- At least 15 publications reflecting the main results of the dissertation.
- At least 2 articles in journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science.
- A portion of the works must appear in journals included on the HAC KR list of peer-reviewed publications.
- The content of the articles must reflect precisely those propositions being submitted for defence.
One further point worth noting: articles in journals subsequently removed from international databases lose their value for the defence.
Not every published work will count towards the requirements for defence. In “On Issues of the Higher Attestation Commission under the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovations of the Kyrgyz Republic”, the following are not taken into account:
- newspaper articles
- deposited manuscripts
- conference abstracts, along with any publications whose content does not correspond to the topic of the dissertation
A single issue of a scholarly publication may include no more than two articles by the candidate – any beyond this fall outside the count. At the same time, the following are treated as full publications on an equal footing:
- patents for inventions
- certificates for computer programs
- registered topologies of integrated circuits
- full-text papers from academic conferences
Defending a doctoral dissertation
The defence is a multi-stage process, and it is never a quick one. First, the work undergoes a preliminary review at the relevant department or research organisation. The dissertation is then accepted for defence by the dissertation council, and the full text, together with the author's abstract, must be posted on the HAC website no later than three months before the session. At the defence itself, the researcher presents the findings, responds to the opponents and addresses the remarks made by members of the council. The final decision on conferring the Doctor of Sciences degree is then approved by the HAC of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Common pitfalls in preparing a doctoral dissertation
It often happens that a researcher rushes matters and selects a journal from the so-called "grey list" or publishes in a periodical that is subsequently dropped from Scopus. On other occasions, the formal details of the author's abstract are overlooked, or the deadlines for posting the defence announcement and submitting the accompanying documents are missed. The outcome is the return of materials, the loss of time and, in some instances, outright refusal of clearance to defend. It is therefore wiser to verify one's approach against the current rules rather than to rely on schemes that may have been sound at one time but are no longer current.
A dissertation calls for more than depth of research alone; it also demands careful attention to presentation. Compliance with the established rules, the right choice of journals and competent guidance at every step give a researcher a genuine chance of obtaining the degree they deserve.
Are you planning to defend a doctoral dissertation and wish to be confident that every requirement has been met? You may turn to Scientific Publications. We can help you draw up a research plan, prepare the work in line with the regulatory requirements, provide academic translation services, edit and proofread the text to the required standard, improve the originality of the work, and supply a plagiarism report. To arrange a free consultation, please complete the form below and our manager will be in touch with you shortly. Onwards to a successful defence!
