About global logistics - in English
It is the third year when Damira Mirzakhalilova, Ph.D., associate professor of the department " Economics of Oil and Gas" department has been giving lectures and practical classes in the subject “Logistics Fundamentals” in English for third-year students at the Branch of the Russian State University of Oil and Gas (NRU) named after I.M. Gubkin in Tashkent.
The lecturer of the Branch was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Secondary Special and Higher Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
We asked one of the Branch’s leading teachers to answer some of our questions.
- Damira Salikhovna, the introduction of English-language economic discipline is relevant in the framework of ongoing educational reforms and, at the same time, a very responsible step. What subject topics do students study during your classes, what is the general purpose of the discipline?
- The discipline “Fundamentals of Logistics” covers all the elements of managing material and related information and financial flows in the supply chain. The supply chain is an extensive network covering all stages of the process of converting natural resources into finished products received by the end user. In order to create and deliver to the customer a product that has value for him, it is necessary to be able to manage the supply chains: form their configuration, plan material flows and production capacities, and monitor the progress of plans.
Activities in the field of logistics are connected with international transport, therefore, knowledge of the English language is necessary both for understanding standardized documents drawn up in English, and for communicating with foreign customs services and transportation partners. The knowledge of English language in logistics expands the possibilities in searching for optimal logistics flows, accelerating the transportation process and concluding foreign trade transactions.
- What are the focuses during the classes?
- First of all, attention is focused on studying and mastering the basic generally accepted terminology on logistics, the main provisions and conclusions of the lecture. In addition, the audience focuses on familiarizing themselves with business practices regarding logistics activities. In order to maintain attention and relieve students’ tiredness, lectures often discuss rhetorical issues, historical excursions, and examples from personal experience of research and creative work.
- Experience of which authors is guiding you in your classes?
- Basically, these are my practical achievements. All the years of work at the Branch of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas in the city of Tashkent, and this is nine of the 12 years since the establishment of the university, I combined teaching and research: coordinated international projects, participated in international conferences, internships, and exhibitions.
- What publications do you have today and where were they published Какие публикации у вас имеются на сегодняшний день, где были изданы?
- Currently it is over 35 publications - articles, teaching aids, reference books, teaching and methodological recommendations. Within the framework of international projects, in particular, the International Labor Organization, the EU, the works “Improving the Productivity and Competitiveness of Uzbekistan Enterprises”, “First Steps in Entrepreneurship”, and “Business from A to Z” were published. Another of my research paper- “Enterprising Women in Transition Economies” - was published in London and Germany.
- Such studies, of course, require sufficient practice, moreover, at the international level. Several of your works have been written within the framework of ILO and EU projects, in which other projects, conferences have you participated?
- This will be a very long list, so I will limit myself to a brief listing. These are mainly forums of women entrepreneurs and sub-regional meetings of scientists held in Iran, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, Malaysia, Belgium, and Georgia.
- By what criteria do you determine the digestibility of complex material by the audience?
- For this aim a regular monitoring is provided on the basis of feedback: including through regular control tests.
- You must admit that not every student is fluent in English as much as it is possible to master a professional course for an ordinary student, is there a need for this?
- Yes, indeed, the level of language competence of students is different. In this regard, I often use methods of consolidating information, namely, repeating, including questions to verify understanding, learning, summing up at the end of each issue and at the end of the lecture, as well as receiving feedback - these are anonymous questionnaires in order to identify “problem areas” in lecture time. On the other hand, successful implementation of international standards in this field in Uzbekistan requires a sufficient number of specialists, as well as an effective training system. And practical training in responsible discipline is a great opportunity to share with students the experience of many years of practice, which will help them build a successful career in the future.
- Where did you yourself learn English, probably abroad and during some special internships?
- No, I learnt a foreign language in a regular school, I was just very lucky with the teachers. Further, she improved her knowledge and deepened it while studying at Tashkent State University of Economics, and later graduated from a one-year school of translators. And the internships were in a purely professional industry, they took place in the Bulgarian Chamber of Entrepreneurs in Sofia, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (USA), and Middlesex University in London (UK).
- You have very tense working rhythm. Is there any time left for the family?
- Yes, I think that I am a happy mother of three children: the eldest son also graduated from our branch and is studying for a master's degree at the head university in Moscow, the middle daughter is a student of INHA. The youngest daughter is only five years old, but she is already actively exploring the world.
- Summing up the above statements, it can be argued that everyone is able to master the professional basics, become a specialist in demand …
- Indeed, per aspera ad astra: through hardship to the stars
Nadejda I, Press-service of the Branch