Annual Conference 2008

WIUT Annual Conference “Towards a knowledge economy in Central Asia”

Thursday 15th May 2008

Background to the conference

The first three WIUT annual conferences focused on the challenges facing business, in 2005, higher education, in 2006, and then issues of university and business collaboration. In 2008 we focus on the concept of the ‘knowledge economy’ which addresses many of the development challenges facing the countries of Central Asia and highlights the importance of investing in human capital, innovation, information technology and creating an economic and regulatory environment that promotes entrepreneurship and creates new knowledge.

Specifically the conference addressed the following four main issues:

1) The concept of the knowledge economy and its relevance for Central Asia

  • Knowledge transfer, development and exchange in transition countries
  • Knowledge networks and economic incentives for their development
  • Transforming information into knowledge

2) Increasing investment in intellectual and human capital

  • The role of the education system in preparing future specialists
  • The role of employers - training and professional development in the workplace
  • Cooperation between industry and higher education in preparing specialists
  • The role of new technology in education
  • Intellectual property rights in emerging markets

3) Creating an information rich society

  • Bridging the digital divide – ensuring access to information for all
  • The development of E-commerce and E-government
  • Digital management and business information systems
  • Education for all and life long learning in knowledge based societies

4) Development of entrepreneurship and innovative organizations

  • Models of government support for entrepreneurship and innovation
  • The future of research and development in higher education
  • Issues of rural economic development in knowledge economy society

In the Plenary Session of the Conference the following key-note presentations were made:

UNESCO and the knowledge economy: the role of higher education.

Ms. Hassmik Tortian

Coordinator of for the development of higher education policies in Africa, Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, UNESCO

Relevance of the knowledge economy to Central Asia’s future development (PDF file)

Mr. Loup J. Brefort

Country Manager, World Bank Office in Uzbekistan

Theoretical background and components of the knowledge based economy in Uzbekistan (PDF file)

Mr. Tursun Shadiev

Principal Lecturer, Head of UNESCO Chair in Knowledge Economy, Westminster International University in Tashkent

Other presentations were given in the Conference Panel Sessions (See PDF file for details).

A separate Panel section of the Conference was devoted to the outcomes of the Tempus Project SCM “Developing Alliance Between Universities and Business in Uzbekistan”. More…

The Proceedings of the 2008 WIUT Conference are to be published by the University later this year both in printed and electronic formats.

Conference Organising Committees

Organisation Committee

  1. Abdujabar Abduvakhitov, Rector of WIUT (Chair)
  2. Inomjon Madjidov, Head of Department for HEIs of the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of RUz
  3. Nabijon Kasimov, Deputy Chair of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan
  4. Jeremy Jacobson, Director, British Council in Uzbekistan
  5. Sadriddin Turabjanov, Rector of the Tashkent Chemical Technology Institute
  6. Alan France, 1st Deputy Rector of WIUT
  7. Farkhod Rizaev, Deputy Rector of WIUT
  8. Abdumalik Djumanov, Dean of WIUT

Conference Working Group

  1. Lobar Mukhamedova, Senior Lecturer, Course Leader for BSc in Business Computing, WIUT
  2. Iroda Komilova, Senior Lecturer, Business Administration, WIUT
  3. Abdumalik Djumanov, Dean of Faculty, WIUT
  4. Martin Seviour, Head of Professional Development and English Languages, WIUT
  5. Daniel Stevens, Head of Research and Consultancy, WIUT
  6. Nizom Kadirov, Deputy Rector in Social Development, WIUT
  7. Said Mirdjalilov, Multimedia Studio, WIUT
  8. Ravshan Malikov, Marketing Department, WIUT

Expert Group

  1. Tursun Shodiev, Principal Lecturer, Head of UNESCO Chair in Knowledge Economy, WIUT
  2. Muzaffar Ahunov, Senior Lecturer, Course Leader for BSc in Economics, WIUT
  3. Lobar Muhamedova, Senior Lecturer, Course Leader for BSc in Business Computing, WIUT
  4. Rowan Wagner, Senior Lecturer, Subject Area Leader for Management, WIUT
  5. Daniel Stevens, Head of Research and Consultancy, WIUT

WIUT Student Union Support Team

  1. Igor Matveev
  2. Amirbek Musaev
  3. Shavkat Sattikulov
  4. Firuza Babakulova