The videoconference (VC) series are being arranged by the World Bank Global Development Learning Network (GDLN) within the framework of the World Bank Technical Assistance provided for the Government of Uzbekistan on “Innovations and Growth”.

The purpose of the videoconferences is to help participants gain a working knowledge of methods, applications, and global experiences on topics that were defined as the most relevant to the current challenges faced by Uzbekistan innovation actors and policymakers.

The participants included Government agencies, Universities, research institutes under the Academy of Sciences, manufacturing enterprises involved in creation, dissemination and use of technologies.

In the course of the first VC the participants were proposed to discuss drafts of two Questionnaires for Uzbekistan Innovators who apply for gaining state support for their innovative projects.

Presentation was made by the World Bank Consultant Dr. Alistair Brett who built upon one of the previously distributed questionnaires and its use for assessing a real-life high-tech company. This practical exercise helped participants better understand the need for particular questions in the Questionnaire and suggested some changes to those, taking into account the unique features of Uzbekistan innovation system and environment.

Coming videoconferences are expected to cover the following topics: Institutional Issues in Transferring Technology Developed by Public Research Institutions, Public-Private Risk Sharing in Funding Innovation Projects, Government Policies for Facilitating Absorption of Foreign Technologies, and Public Procurement as a Tool of National Innovation Policy.