Westminster delegation attends inclusive university conference in Tashkent

The conference was jointly hosted by the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the British Council in Uzbekistan, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT) and the University of Westminster (UK).

The Conference addressed a number of critical issues related to the future development of inclusive higher education in the country, the continuous implementation of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the identification of key directions, priorities and next steps towards inclusive university education in Uzbekistan.

The Conference looked specifically at issues related to women’s empowerment, girls’ education, access to education for people with special educational needs and those representing vulnerable and/or low-income families. There were also workshops during which the participants discussed specific case studies and examples of existing barriers and explored how these can be dealt with in the short and longer term.

To enhance the concept of inclusivity, the Conference was organised in hybrid form with simultaneous translation in English, Uzbek and Sign Language with selected materials printed in Braille code. In addition, it was ensured that the venue was fully accessible for mobile impaired participants.

The Conference was the first step in ongoing discussions in relation to inclusivity and the University looks forward to participating in future discussions.

Professor Alexandra Hughes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability at the University of Westminster and Co-Chair of the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, commented: “It is ever more important, in this age of global challenge and crisis, for universities to collaborate transnationally in support of social change and growth. We, at the University of Westminster, are delighted to be joining the British Council in Uzbekistan and our partner institution Westminster International University in Tashkent in this critical discussion of inclusivity in higher education: a core priority for all of us and one strongly allied to the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Ms Denise Waddingham, Country Director at British Council Uzbekistan, said: “Working effectively with equality, diversity and inclusion is an essential part of the British Council’s mission and we are committed globally to playing our part in removing barriers and addressing imbalances caused by inequality and unjustified discrimination. I am delighted to be working with our partners to look at access to higher education in Uzbekistan. Given the reforms and rapid expansion in the higher education sector, it seems a good time to look at the question of how higher education institutions can be more inclusive, and the UK has a lot of experience and expertise to share in this regard, to complement Uzbek experts and knowledge. The conference is aimed to be the start of a conversation here, which we hope will lead to improved opportunities for all students from across Uzbekistan, whatever their background, in the future.”

The Rector of the Westminster International University in Tashkent, Bakhrom Mirkasimov,added: "This is an important conference as it further advances both best practices and policies in providing equal access to opportunities for young people in Uzbekistan who might otherwise be vulnerable in entering higher education. Our University is committed to advancing this agenda as well as realising the associated Sustainable Development Goals for every person.”

Learn more about the University of Westminster’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.