<p>The article examines the dependence of formation of new knowledge on the<br /> innovativeness of the educational sphere. The state-of-the-art of the higher education system in Uzbekistan and its compliance with innovative imperatives of developed countries are closely investigated. The thesis can be formulated that the main factor in the development of a creative society is its intellectual potential. The author explores primary, complementary and supporting factors of the growth of a creative economy. The article justifies the need for improving the educational process as an open self-organizing socio-pedagogical system in the context of changing demands of the economy, for development of information and communication technologies, for the emphasis on the importance of human intellectual potential, and gives recommendations for improving the contemporary higher education system in Uzbekistan.</p>