How to Use the Potential of Universities for Regional Development?

The panel discussion featured Jerzy Andrzej Przyborowski, Rector of the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; Michal Sopinski, Vice-Rector at the Academy of Justice; Keklik Gezalova, Vice-Rector of the Western Caspian University in Baku; Minna Martikainen, Rector of Vaasa University; Erkan Erdemir, Rector of New York University in Tirana; and Giorgi Abashishvili, Director of Economics at Geocase think tank and Dean of the Faculty of Business at Caucasus International University in Tbilisi. The panel discussion was moderated by Roman Sobiecki, Vice-Rector at the School of Economics.

At the outset, moderator Roman Sobiecki asked the participants of the panel discussion to share their experiences in how universities contribute to the development of the region.

Rector Jerzy Andrzej Przyborowski noted that UWM makes every effort to ensure that the University is recognized nationally and internationally, despite the fact that it is a regional University. “It is not possible to develop the region without educating human resources”. – UWM Rector stated. Olsztyn and the entire Warmian-Masurian Region live together with the University, as it is the only such University in the region.

Rector Erkan Erdemir noted that UNYT represents universities from the Western Balkans. The University is the first private university in Albania and works closely with the Tirana city administration. The university also has a fruitful cooperation with the University of New York. The University draws good practices from abroad, with English being the language of instruction.

Vice-Rector Keklik Gezalova noted that the Western Caspian University in Baku is the first private university in Azerbaijan and is among the largest universities in the country. On the one hand, the market now has a strong influence on higher education, and the government is slowly withdrawing from university management. On the other hand, the state enforces responsibility of universities through grants and evaluation of teaching quality. According to the Vice-Rector, private universities are more effective in cooperation, and public universities should also be guided by the needs of the market.

Rector Minna Martikainen pointed out that Vaasa University is one of 13 universities in Finland oriented toward energy transition. She also noted that 80 percent of funding comes from the state, and 20 percent from the private sector and research grants. The University strives to identify key needs in order to educate professionals in the area of energy transition and business. An important feature of the University is that it seeks to adapt its fields of study to the needs of the region and works in symbiosis with local authorities.

Dean Giorgi Abashishvili stressed the importance of the University’s cooperation with business and the private sector. In Georgia’s case, it is cooperation with the construction sector and the wine production sector. The state should also support cooperation between universities and regions. An example is Telavi University, which conducts research in the field of agriculture. Mr. Giorgi Abashishvili also recalled his experience when, as director of the Office of the President of Georgia, he was involved in developing cooperation between universities and start-ups.

Vice-Rector Michal Sopinski, using the example of the Academy of Justice, explained that even a smaller university can efficiently cooperate with the local government, for instance the Academy cooperates well with the city of Kalisz, where one of its headquarters is located. Academic field in this case creates potential for the development of the city.