For PhD students, doctoral candidates and early-career researchers, a publication strategy should not end at the dissertation defence stage. The next step in an academic career is connected with obtaining an academic title, and here it is important to consider not only the total number of scholarly works, but also their level, indexation, the presence of teaching and methodological works, and their relevance to the field of specialisation.
All requirements for the award of the academic titles of professor, associate professor and senior research fellow in Kyrgyzstan, including the list of required publications, their number and additional qualification criteria, are set out in the Regulation on the procedure for awarding academic titles, approved by Resolution No. 637 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic dated 6 October 2025.
Publication requirements for obtaining the title of professor
If we speak about the title of professor, the requirements here are the highest. A Doctor of Sciences working at a higher education institution must have at least five teaching-methodological and/or educational works, at least one article published in a journal indexed in Scopus and/or Web of Science, as well as publications in academic periodicals with a non-zero impact factor.
Requirements for obtaining the title of associate professor
The requirements for obtaining the title of associate professor are noticeably less strict, but still quite specific. An applicant must have at least two teaching-methodological and/or educational works, as well as four articles in academic periodicals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. An important point is that these works must also have been published after the dissertation defence. In other words, an associate professor is already a fully qualified specialist who has confirmed their academic activity through publications in recognised indexed sources.
Requirements for obtaining the title of senior research fellow
As for the title of senior research fellow, the emphasis here is primarily on research performance. To obtain it, the applicant must have an academic degree, the relevant length of scientific or scientific-pedagogical work experience, and at least five articles in academic periodicals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. As in the other cases, the publications must have been issued after the dissertation defence and must correspond to the academic specialisation indicated in the attestation file.
From this, we can conclude that in Kyrgyzstan the publication requirements for academic titles are built on the principle of gradual increasing complexity:
- for associate professor, four indexed articles and teaching-methodological works are important
- for senior research fellow, five профильных articles are already required
- for professor, stricter requirements are added regarding the level of publications, monographs, textbooks and academic supervision
Therefore, PhD students and doctoral candidates should think through their publication strategy in advance. It is important to choose journals deliberately, take indexation into account, and not postpone the preparation of the required set of works until the last moment.
Are you planning publications in order to obtain the academic title of professor, associate professor or senior research fellow? You can contact Scientific Publications. We will help you understand the current requirements, select suitable journals, and assess your publications from the point of view of indexation. To receive a free consultation, fill in the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Onwards to new academic heights!
