Conclusion Remarks of the First Eurasian Silk Road Universities Convention

May 30, 2010, Ataturk University, Erzurum, TURKEY

1. The convention was a success because of the following components

a. Large participation and representatives,

b. Excellent opportunity for interaction through social programs,

c. Very friendly and helpful atmosphere for which the president of Ataturk University and his associates down to volunteers and students must be acknowledged.

2. Presentations were mainly focused on

a. Introduction and description of respective institutions by their representatives,

b. Providing the data regarding the higher education to compare the existing trends indicating some of the ways to achieve the newer approaches,

c. Providing ideas and reflections in the form of proposal for continuing effort for higher education by public and private sector institutions.

These three provided a good mixture of stimulating.

3. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding among Ataturk University and participating institutions concrete starting point for future collaboration.

4. All the participants feel good by the impressive arrangements for boarding, lodging, and site of the convention in excellent manner. This was the result of hard work and dedication by organizing committee.

5. It was the common feeling that after the successful organization of first convention, the whole groups of participants need permanent identity for the future based on knowledge sharing strategic partnership.

6. It is proposed that a permanent organization under the title of Eurasian Silk Road Universities Consortium (ESRUC) with its head office at Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. The Consortium will be working in the following areas.

a. It is proposed that all participating institutions in the firs ESRUC will be the founding members of the consortium and membership will remain open for new entrance.

b. Form an Information Technology (IT) based educational research network.

c. We will declare that each participating institution will be considered “sister institutions”.

d. There should be a joint fund to be created.

e. The consortium will have focus groups for interaction. These could be;

i. Policy Dialog,

ii. Joint research, development and innovation,

iii. Academic Collaboration,

f. Each member institution will have a sub office.

g. ESRUC may have an executive board.

7. The next convention should be held at Ataturk University again to ensure the consortium to be strengthen through focusing on institutionalization and visibility in order to move on to future conventions at other member universities of different countries on the Silk Road.