The SOS IB Project Presented to Universities in Uzbekistan
Varna University of Management, Bulgaria (VUM) is one of the three universities involved in the Simulations of Sustainable International Business (SOS IB) project funded under the Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2 for Strategic Partnerships. In early November 2024, VUM hosted a week-long training for trainers as part of another Erasmus+ project entitled EMPOWER (project number 101129076) and implemented for the purposes of capacity building in higher education in the region of Central Asia.
The EMPOWER project seeks to enhance women’s employability in Uzbekistan while promoting gender equality across society by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and encouraging women to explore and potentially pursue business start-ups. This initiative brings together the efforts of four higher education institutions in Uzbekistan and three partner organisations from the European Union, including VUM. The EMPOWER project aligns with the Erasmus+ priority for developing skills as a cornerstone for Central Asia’s competitiveness and social cohesion. Additionally, it supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for quality education, gender equality, and decent work and economic growth.
During the EMPOWER training for trainers held at VUM, two sessions were delivered to foster synergies between the SOS IB and the EMPOWER projects. One session, titled Women Equality and Inclusion through Intercultural Engagement, focused on topics related to gender equality and equity. These were discussed in detail with the trainees from Uzbekistan to equip them with knowledge and skills needed for their roles of gender equality advocates. The session covered several key areas, including the importance of gender equality and equity, the challenges faced by women globally, gender equality as an SDG, and possible actions to promote gender equality.
Reducing gender gaps to promote women’s economic empowerment requires multifaceted and streamlined efforts. These include, inter alia, providing access to financial resources, land, information, and technology; ensuring secure jobs, offering public services and social protection systems, and implementing mechanisms and legislation to reduce gender-based violence. Additionally, access to laws and mechanism to protect women’s economic empowerment rights is essential. UN Women, the United Nations organisation focused on promoting gender equality and empowering women, emphasises that gender equality is both a fundamental right and a driver of substantial socio-economic benefits.
As part of the EMPOWER training for trainers and through the SOS IB project, the partners from Uzbekistan were introduced to a holistic approach to sustainability within academic settings. The training highlighted the importance of integrating the concept of sustainable development into all business endeavours, regardless of their size and scope. Additionally, the trainees from Uzbekistan were introduced to the SOS IB digital platform featuring business simulations and the digital simulation game developed in the project. The session promoted innovative teaching and learning methods, including simulations, peer learning, gamification, and experiential learning, all of which are central to the SOS IB project.
More about the SOS IB project can be found at https://www.vsr.si/en/project-sos/
The project S.O.S. International Business is co-funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme, Key Action 2: Cooperation Partnerships. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
