Khazar University, as one of the winners of the Creative Spark Partnership Fund for year 2019, was represented in Creative Spark Oxford Conference, Oxford, UK. Director of Development, Raziya Isayeva participated in the Conference between September 2-4, 2019. As previously informed, Creative Spark Partnership Fund is a 5-year programme to develop institutional partnerships for enhancing enterprise skills and creative economy in three countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan), South Caucasus (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia) and Ukraine with UK support.

Two-day Conference started on 2^nd of September with a welcome drink and networking at the Queens College. Welcome remarks were delivered by Mr. Richard Everitt, Regional Director, Education and Society, British Council.

On 3^rd of September, after the cordial greetings by Mr. Everitt, welcome address was given by Baroness Nicolson, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy, UK. Baroness Nicolson congratulated participants with the results achieved and talked about her positive experience in many of the participating countries. She especially outlined her impressions and shared her story on her visit to Azerbaijan.

Big Idea Challenge Video Pitch Competition (competition conducted among students of participating countries) results were presented by Christopher Lane, London Metropolitan University representative. Country Champion of the competition was a student of Azerbaijan University of Architecture and Construction, who won a pitch on Social Impact category.

Later in the day, representatives of different partnerships presented their projects and results. Remarkable for Khazar University was that the representative of Newcastle University, Dr. Victoria Mountford-Brown, Lecturer of Creativity and Innovation, in her speech about the project they implement together with Centre for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication specifically indicated Khazar University students as ‘very creative’. Students of Khazar University took part in the competition they organized in the beginning of the year.

Throughout the day representatives presented their projects, young entrepreneurs discussed issues in starting the business. The day continued with Drinks Reception and Dinner and Award Ceremony in Wadham Dining Hall. Students, winners of the categories and of an International Competition were awarded during the Dinner.

On 4^th of September, representatives of each country joined in a team to develop ideas on the National Policy Development, Sustainability of Partnership, and Innovation in Creative Spark Projects. Following the discussion, the reporters presented ideas supported and developed by the participants' views. After the closing session, many participants travelled to Oxford Brookes University for the International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference.