A WIUT Research Assistant and LLM International Commercial Law student on winning the SDG Course competition, presenting a Silk Road digital hub project at the DEN London conference in May 2026, and the friendships that now connect Westminster and Tashkent
Sarvarbek Ramatov, Research Assistant and LLM International Commercial Law student, Westminster International University in Tashkent (WIUT), Uzbekistan
Part of the Inside Westminster anniversary series marking ten years of the Democratic Education Network.
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How did you first come into contact with DEN?
I first encountered the Democratic Education Network at its May 2026 conference in London. My team had won WIUT’s SDG Course competition, which gave us the opportunity to attend and present our work. At the conference, we explored how the historic Silk Road could be transformed into a new digital hub, connecting the region through innovation, education and international cooperation.
Which DEN activities have you taken part in?
I participated in the DEN Conference in London in May 2026. I am contributing to this DEN podcast interview. And I am currently preparing a research paper, with the aim of submitting it for consideration for a DEN student book.
Was there a moment at DEN that has stayed with you?
What has stayed with me most is the friendship we built across universities and countries. We spent time with University of Westminster students during their visit to Uzbekistan, and later reunited in London. Although we came from different backgrounds, our conversations, our shared experiences, and our time together at the conference made us genuine friends. That sense of connection remains one of my favourite memories.
What aspects of DEN have had the biggest impact on you?
The biggest impact was the opportunity to present ideas to an international audience and to engage in meaningful discussion. Answering questions from students and academics with different perspectives pushed me to think more critically about our work and to see it through other people’s eyes. DEN made academic exchange feel open, collaborative, and genuinely international.
How has DEN helped you develop personally?
DEN helped me become more confident, independent, and comfortable speaking up. Visiting London and meeting people from different cultures showed me that you can express a different opinion without fearing judgment, provided the conversation is grounded in mutual respect. It also encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, and to build friendships beyond my own university.
Has DEN helped you with employability or professional development?
The DEN experience contributed to my professional growth by strengthening my presentation, research and intercultural communication skills. After winning the SDG Course award and taking part in the London conference, I went on to become a Research Assistant at WIUT. I believe these experiences helped strengthen my application and demonstrated my commitment to research and academic engagement, although I cannot say they were the deciding factor.
What is one thing DEN has given you that you would have struggled to find elsewhere?
DEN gave me the confidence to share my ideas internationally and friendships with people I might never otherwise have met.
What advice would you give to students thinking of joining?
I would encourage students to join and to take every opportunity to participate, whether through a conference, a discussion, a publication, or a collaborative project. You do not need to have all the answers before getting involved. DEN offers a rare chance to test your ideas, learn from an international audience, and explore topics beyond your usual field of study.
What would you say to a colleague at another university?
I would describe DEN as an international academic community where students are not just listeners but active contributors. It connects people across universities, gives young voices a platform, and turns discussions into friendships, research, and meaningful opportunities.
Should DEN do anything differently in the next decade?
Over the next decade, I would love to see DEN involve more students from partner universities, create additional opportunities for papers to be considered for its student books, and open more conference activities to early-career university staff and young researchers, including those at WIUT. This could make its international community even more inclusive.
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“For me, DEN is proof that an academic opportunity can become much more than a conference. It can create confidence, friendships, and a lasting motivation to contribute.”
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Photo caption: “From the Silk Road to a new digital hub.”
