NEWS

A Look into the Future: SIUT Participates in the Oxford Conclave 2024

A delegation from the Samarkand International University of Technology, consisting of Rector - Professor Yusuf Abdullaev and Provost - Professor Bobby Hall, participated in the annual meeting of the Oxford Conclave, which brought together presidents and rectors of dozens of higher educational institutions from the UK, USA, Asia, and Africa, including: the Consortium for Global Education, George Fox University, Washington & Jefferson College, Drew University, and others. Notably, SIUT is the first and only university from the Central Asian region and the CIS to be a member of the Conclave.

The 20th anniversary meeting of the Oxford Conclave was opened by the Chairman and Co-Founder of the community – Professor John C. Knapp. The meeting was dedicated to changes in the employment of university graduates and, in general, how educational institutions prepare students for this dynamic future. The three-day event, held in early September 2024 at Rhodes House and Balliol College of the University of Oxford, gathered rectors, presidents, and other university leaders to share best practices and ideas, and discuss a number of important issues, such as:

  • Changes in employment and its implications for career development programs and curriculum innovations;
  • How modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, are impacting professions and redefining professional activities;
  • Supporting students in finding profession and setting goals in a rapidly changing world;
  • Collaboration with employers to forecast long-term staffing needs.

A particularly memorable event for SIUT was the university’s presentation, which opened the official part of the Oxford Conclave. This was SIUT’s first participation in this gathering. In the discussion section, the SIUT delegation presented the topic “Transformative Power of Higher Education. Unlocking Uzbekistan’s Potential”, highlighting the labor market situation in Uzbekistan and the impact of education on shaping staffing needs, particularly the increased demand for engineering personnel.

The connections and collaborations established at the Conclave have also opened up new opportunities for SIUT to interact with international partners and explore innovative approaches to education and research.

“For almost three decades, the Oxford Conclave has invited higher education leaders and scholars to this city of incredible higher education history in order to discuss and explore current issues and opportunities in university life. We were honored to be invited and not only found new insights, but also forged relationships that will lead to greater opportunities for SIUT students and faculty in the years to come” – noted SIUT Provost Professor Bobby Hall (USA).

For reference: The Oxford Conclave is a unique opportunity for university rectors to meet in a closed “peer-to-peer” format for communication and collaboration. Since its founding in 2004, the Conclave has brought together rectors from more than 85 colleges and universities around the world to address common pressing issues and exchange best practices. Nobel laureates, political activists, prominent public figures, scientists, and academics have served as speakers and moderators at the Oxford Conclave.