Annual Conference 2007

University-Business Collaboration: Models for Sustainable Development in Transition Economies

Organized by:

Westminster International University in Tashkent

Thursday 17th May 2007

Westminster International University in Tashkent hosted guests from both higher education and business and industry to propose papers for a one day conference on the issues of university and business collaboration. The focus of the conference was looking at models which strengthen cooperation between these two partners particularly in the context of transition economies in which universities are having to rapidly adapt to the changing needs of the market.

The conference addressed the following themes:

1) Identifying the skills business needs and closing the skills gap

  • Making university courses and curricula match the needs of business and industry
  • Developing students’ employability and entrepreneurial skills
  • Developing foundation skills and knowledge in schools

2) The knowledge economy-the role of the university

  • Aligning research to business and industry needs
  • Intellectual property issues
  • Universities as providers of professional development to the business sector

3) Corporate Social Responsibility and Education

  • The role of business in contributing to education for all
  • Business sponsorship of students

4) Bringing employers and graduates together

  • Developing university career services
  • Work based learning and work placement schemes

Annual Conference 2007 Panel sessions