UIC was invited to contribute to the International BSEC Conference entitled: “Professional Education and Economic Needs of the Black Sea Region” in Сhişinău, Republic of Moldova, on 24 April 2015, organised by the Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS) of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), in cooperation with the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova. The aim of the conference was to promote further development of the educational national policies in the BSEC Member States aimed at increasing sustainable growth and the establishment of knowledge-based societies, inter alia, through the exchange of information and best practices, promoting scientific research for the sustainable development of the BSEC Region, supporting joint programmes for postgraduate study and university research, encouraging and supporting public-private partnerships in the field of education, and developing cooperation with international organisations – where UIC was invited to share its expertise development and related projects linked with new technologies.
The high-level event took place at the Palace of the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau. The Conference was chaired by H.E. Ambassador Dr Victor Tvircun, Secretary General of the BSEC Permanent International Secretariat and Acad. Grigore Belostecinik, Rector of the Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova. Welcoming addresses were given on behalf of H.E. Mr Nicolae Timofti, President of the Republic of Moldova and H.E. Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations were presented by the Secretariat followed by Gheorghe Duca, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova and Mr Octavian Calmic, Vice Minister of Economy of the Republic of Moldova.
Then several dozen representatives at the highest levels of academia from Molodova, Romania, Ukraine, Russia and Armenia as well as consultants, partners, sponsors, etc. Mr Umberto de Pretto (IRU) gave his viewpoints on perspectives of education and training developments for the region. UIC was represented by Mr Jerzy Wisniewski, Director of the Fundamental Values Department, International Union of Railways, who presented recent developments in this field where UIC considers that it has an important role to play by engaging an active dialogue and support across the rail sector, attracting talented railway staff to make a career in the railways. Supported by the UIC General Assembly, the UIC “TALENT” project deals with the need for the rail sector to better attract and retain the best talents in the job market.
At the core of the project is the development of a powerful international network of railway talents aiming to prepare a new generation of railway managers/experts working on domestic and international challenges, with a deep understanding of business approaches, multi-language skills, well known and recognised by the international railway community. With the establishment of this network, UIC wishes to create a strong and sustainable foundation for international cooperation among railway talents, by establishing a powerful international management/expert development programme. Ultimately, UIC wishes to engage an active dialogue and support across the rail sector, attracting talented railway staff to make a career in the railways, developing several vocational training courses and education programmes through a project called “UIC Railway Academy” where an Executive MBA shows the innovative solutions of the education via dedicated online interactive sessions and also several meetings scheduled, to start soon.
The conclusions of the conference mentioned the importance of the problem of qualifications, vocational training and education for people to properly respond better to market demands, ensure transfer of knowledge, prevent drain talent, introduce incentivising programmes (career paths for the young generation) – were some of the issues that UIC addressed during its presentation.
