On October 16, 2024, the first regional Times Higher Education forum was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at New Uzbekistan University.
Representatives from leading Central Asian universities gathered in Tashkent. Erkin Tatishev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AlmaU, spoke at the session titled “New Partnership Models for New Models of Institution,” which focused on how young universities in Central Asia can offer partnership initiatives or form collaborations that simultaneously strengthen their own missions and create stronger alliances with a shared purpose.
The keynote speakers of the forum included:
– Wolfgang Herrmann, Honorary President of New Uzbekistan University
– Rita Almeida, Manager of Global Education Practice (Europe and Central Asia), World Bank
– Ilesanmi Adesida, Provost of Nazarbayev University
– Alan Ruby, Senior Fellow, Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy, University of Pennsylvania
Following the presentation by Professor Alan Ruby from the University of Pennsylvania at the THE forum in Tashkent on October 16, an analytical brief was published on the UPenn website, presenting his thoughts on the dynamics and development of higher education in Central Asia. Notably, Professor Ruby highlighted the role of creativity and entrepreneurial thinking in expanding opportunities for young people, emphasizing that these competencies should be nurtured and developed in higher education. He cited AlmaU as an example and mentioned Erkin Tatishev’s speech (on page 4).
Full text available at https://repository.upenn.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/b14853ed-97bf-4fba-addf-a02204f90a10/content
Participants of the forum included:
Gulnara Kurenkeyeva – Rector of AlmaU
Sholpan Tazabek – Vice-Rector for Global Partnerships
Timur Buldybayev – Acting Vice-Rector for Science
Renata Kudaibergenova – Director of Quality Assurance Office
Aizhan Aryn – Director of the Institute for Educational Development
Kseniya Yuzhaninova-Karadenizli – Executive Director of the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovations
Aliya Akpayeva – Head of the International Development Department
Alena Nasirova – Head of AlmaU Representative Office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
In addition to participating in the forum, the staff held a series of business meetings.
Gulnar Kurenkeyeva and Sholpan Tazabek visited Tashkent International Kimyo University, the Banking and Finance Academy of Uzbekistan, and the new American University of Technology.
Timur Buldybayev, Renata Kudaibergenova, and Aizhan Aryn had business meetings at the National University of Uzbekistan, Central Asian University, Asia International University, and ISFT.
Kseniya Yuzhaninova-Karadenizli met with ISFT, Asia International University, Swift Launch Accelerator, and the Ministry of Education and Science.