WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY IN TASHKENT

The Uzbekistan government launched the Westminster International University in Tashkent by Presidential decree on January 2002, as part of the strategy for reform and development of the higher education system, to produce the capacity and capability for lasting reform. WIUT was established as an independent university, not for profit, managed on the best principles and practices of international educational management and offering international standards of education, validated by an international university. The government therefore realised it needed an international university partner. The University of Westminster was chosen as the Partner and awarded a 3 year contract for services, including the award to the University of Westminster degree.

The degrees arc validated by the University of Westminster, a similar process to Accreditation. UK Universities have the power to award their degrees offshore but must be able to demonstrate that the Quality is the same and can be continuously Assured. As such they arc under the scaitiny of the Quality Assurance Agency of the UK, a semi government body. The curriculum. learning environment and resources, the academic staff, academic administration and management arc reviewed through the process of validation. Students arc taught under the same conditions, regulations and requirements as those in Westminster London, with all assessments and outcomes moderated by colleagues in London and independently reviewed by a team of External Examiners, independent of WIUT but chosen by the University of Westminster. All tuition, assessment and communication is in English, with the Academic Administration, Learning Resources, etc, managed under the same principles as in a UK University. The Mission of WIUT is:

• To produce a core of internationally educated graduates who would act as multipliers, helping to manage and train others to a similar standard. This would enable Uzbekistan business and the professions to accelerate their development thereby enabling the economy to adapt to international standards.
•  To be a role model and benchmark for the upgrading of Uzbekistan universities. It would be free of corruption and the bad practice that had crept into Soviet education, and which had lingered, corrupting the standards of Uzbek diplomas.
• To provide support to the development of other universities by building a different university which would have the capacity for the future development of similar universities?
•  To be part of the foundation for the reform of Higher Education in Uzbekistan, and as the first university to offer an UK/International education in Central Asia, the university would be the hub of the development of Higher Education reform in the region.
•  To open the university to students from across Central Asia, as well as Uzbekistan and eventually form across the world.

The new university WIUT is housed in a renovated building, in the centre of Tashkent. The renovated building Opened in May 2003 provides a contemporary international learning environment, housed in one of the oldest buildings in Tashkent. A superb location and home for students, housing a Learning Resource Centre designed on International principles, with over 12,000 English Reference books, online research journals, wireless internet facilities and related learning facilities such as contemporary classrooms.

WIUT is now its 4th year as a University. It is still young and small. Currently there are some 600 students study at WIUT on Bachelor degrees in Business Administration, Business Computing, Economics and Legal Studies, plus a Certificate in Foundation Studies, a pre-entry course for UK universities, as well as preparatory courses in English and Maths. About 40% of the students have scholarships from the University, these are funded by the University from a variety of sources, and other students pay a fee to the University of $4,800 per year. There are over 50 Faculty members all trained in the UK or US or Europe, plus a professional cadre of Academic Administrators and a Full Time University of Westminster appointed 1st Deputy Reetor responsible for all academic and educational issues.

WIUT celebrated its first Graduates last year at a ceremony in September, 25 students received their University of Westminster Awards from the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Westminster. A proud moment for all students, parent, colleagues, etc but a challenge for the university as these graduates seek employment. The Scholarship students are required to work for their sponsors or related employers, those who pay a fee have the open market. The response from sponsors has been very enthusiastic and those in the open Market have been 'snapped up' or progressed to post graduate programmes in the UK, US, Australia.

WIUT is coming of age, maturing quickly to be a respected member of the International Educational Community. WIUT ran its first academic conference last year and attracted over 200 proposals for contributions from 10 different countries. WIUT is running its second annual conference on Higher Education Management and to date there have been over 10 proposals from 20 different countries. WIUT has also attracted major international organisations and companies to use its services to train their staff, mainly in English and related areas but this has now developed into more general Business and Management training, a unique Entrepreneurship programme sponsored by the British Council with other international and Uzbek companies seeking the services of WIUT. WIUT was awarded its first TEMPUS grant, at the first attempt to help develop Independent Learning within Uzbekistan; this involves working with Universities in the Region. WIUT has also decided to develop in conjunction and under the contract with the University of Westminster a Masters (Post Graduate programme). The development is subject to the validation processes of the University of Westminster but the preparations are in hand to validate a MA in International Business and Management, starting next Academic Year. The course will be offered in a number of modes and will be open to candidates who have experience in organisations, a first degree and a maturity to study under International Learning conditions. Details will be announced in the coming months.

If you are interested in learning about the new university, WIUT please contact the following: wiut@wiut.uz or apfrance@wiut.uz