Gulistan state university was founded on the basis of the Syrdarya State Pedagogical Institute, which started its work for the first time in 1965. In the first year, 400 students were enrolled in one faculty (philology).
The university is located in Guliston, a city in eastern Uzbekistan. It lies in the southeastern part of the Mirzachül (formerly Golodnaya) steppe, 75 miles (120 km) southwest of Tashkent. The capital of Sirdaryo region, Guliston is known for its cotton-picking industry.
Academically, the university is organised into six faculties: the faculty of philology, faculty of physics and mathematics, faculty of pedagogy, faculty of natural sciences, faculty of social sciences and economics, and the faculty of biology. Within each faculty are different departments, which offer a wide range of degree programmes at bachelor, master's and doctoral level.
Outside the classroom, students are encouraged to participate in a range of extracurricular activities in order to enrich their studies. These include sports, science, and creative clubs, as well as a variety of festivals and cultural events.
Research is an important part of the university’s activity. Throughout the academic year, both students and staff conduct a range of research projects, the findings of which are published in 250 scientific articles and over 500 methodical manuals.
Since the university was founded, it has established a number of partnerships with other higher education institutions across the globe. These partnerships facilitate academic and scientific exchanges, as well as study abroad programmes for students.