🌍 On 13-14 May 2024, the SPHERE Seminar on Universities’ third mission: Partnering for social and economic development took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This event brought together HERE teams and National Erasmus+ Offices from around the world, including representatives from the National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan and an expert from the HERE Team.
The seminar highlighted the evolving role of universities in societal engagement, focusing on addressing challenges such as changing labor market needs, climate change, and the transition to carbon-free economies. Universities are increasingly pressured to provide solutions to these challenges and demonstrate their engagement with society.
The seminar aimed to explore the multifaceted contributions of universities to their local ecosystems and broader development. It examined how universities can tailor their contributions to specific contexts and maximize their impact through innovation and collaboration. Participants had the opportunity to share cases from their institutions and countries, discussing achievements and challenges.
Special focus was placed on the Uzbek context, providing insights into the local higher education landscape. The seminar also explored strategies for enhancing university-industry-civil society collaboration, addressing real-life challenges related to sustainable development.
Thank you to the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan for their valuable contribution to the seminar.