Project Partners

 The Grant Co-ordinator, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), was founded as a response to the changing demands of the new market economy. Established in 2002 upon the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan it delivers UK accredited degrees in business, economics, information technology and law. It has been charged by the government with acting as a model and disseminator of international practice across the higher education sector and one area in which it has sought to pioneer has been job fairs, internships and career guidance to students. In doing so WIUT has gained extensive experience in dealing with employers, particularly the emerging private sector.
With its mixture of international and national staff WIUT is uniquely positioned to introduce in sensitive ways innovative approaches to education based on best international practice. As an example WIUT is current co-ordinator for the TEMPUS grant “Capacity Building for Independent Learning in Higher Education in Uzbekistan” (SM_SCM-T027A05-2005) in which it is working closely with the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education of Uzbekistan to develop an action plan for strengthening independent learning across the Higher Education Sector.

Complementing WIUT’s business related focus, the Tashkent Chemical Technological Institute has a greater industry focus having made significant progress, since its founding in 1991, in establishing relations with chemical production enterprises for maintaining student employment, on-the-job learning, and curriculum development practices.

The Grantholder, University of Westminster, United Kingdom, has been WIUT’s partner from its inception and the two institutions have built up a high level of co-operation and mutual understanding, having partnered on a number of projects including the aforementioned TEMPUS grant for which University of Westminster is also grantholder. This relationship, and experience of implementing the current TEMPUS project, constitutes a firm foundation for the administration of the project and in light of the challenges of implementing international projects in Uzbekistan, we that drawing on this existing partnership is an important guarantor of the viability of the project.

It is, however, the University of Westminster’s distinguished history and acclaimed success in bringing education and the workplace together that marks it out as an ideal consortium member. Since its foundation in 1838 as Britain’s first polytechnic, the University of Westminster has pioneered the development of academic courses to produce the kinds of specialist required by the ever changing economy, and has been at the forefront of dialogue with business to ensure education reflects the needs of business. In particular, its innovative Centre for Professional Learning from the Workplace (CPLW) has been awarded the coveted status of ‘Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning’ by the Higher Education Funding Council for England for its standard setting approach to accredited work-based learning. The Careers and Student Employment service has also developed extensive experience of advising students and relating to business. For further information on this partner visit www.westminster.ac.uk

Tashkent Chemical Technological Institute (TChTI) founded in 1991 is a leading HE institution in Uzbekistan offering undergraduate and graduate education in chemical-technological subject areas as well as its high research potential for chemical industry. TChTI has significant experience in the orgnisation of courses within the workplace and student employment within public owned chemical production. For details please visit www.tcti.uz   

The key partner in the project, however, is the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Special Education (MHSSE) of Uzbekistan and WIUT has discussed the project with the Minister and Ministry representatives have been involved in planning meetings and the deputy minister on research will personally be taking part in the project as a senior local expert. For further information on MHSSE visit www.edu.uz

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan (UzCCI) was founded in 2004 and charged with providing comprehensive support to business entities as well as to those wishing to start their business, in meeting their needs in education, training, and professional skills improvement. In its short history it has already developed expertise in participating in related projects, such as the “Social Partnership in Education” and “Management Training Programme” funded by TACIS. Also the Chamber was the partner WIUT in the implementation of the project “Corporate Social Responsibility of SMEs in Uzbekistan”. The Chamber will be vital in representing the views of business and industry in the project. You can find further information visiting the web-site: www.chamber.uz

Svenbord Business Academy (SBA) is a Danish HE institution with the great experience in integrated learning in vocational education level. For further information visit www.sba.dm

Riga Technical University (RTU) is a leading higher educational establishment of Latvia. RTU joined the project consortium with its valuable experience in developing cooperative education within transition from an old Soviet HE system to new Bologna process requirements. For further information visit www.rtu.lv

Dr. Abdurashid Kadirov, Professor at the Research Institute of Economics of Uzbek Academy of Sciences will act as an independent expert for the project, bringing an economics perspective and contributing his broad range of experience, which includes participation as a consultant with the World Bank, EBRD, ADB, UNDP, and Tempus as well as holding senior academic positions such as Dean, and 1st Deputy Rector at the Tashkent State Technical University.

Shukrat Amanov, of the British Council, has an MBA and extensive experience in managing eduaction projects for the British Council, and will act as an independent evaluator at the end of the project.