CAPRC2004

Central Asian Productivity Research Center 2004 – 2005 Annual Report
CAPRC PROGRAMS EXPAND IN 2004-2005
REGIONAL ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS HOLD FIRST U.S. MEETING. Chris Wager, the CAPRC web master (third right) explains how he plans to expand the CAPRC web site to Central Asian Productivity Research Center Advisory Board members during their first U.S. regional meeting in March 2004 (left to right) : Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman, Professor Dolores Rinke, Professor Redd Griffin, Professor Rollin Dix, Chris Wager, Instructor Mary Chang, and Professor Emeritus Roger Hamburg. The meeting was held at the Tavern club on Chicago’s North Michigan Avenue. Professor Dix (center) offers his recommendations to the advisory board members.	CAPRC SUPPORTS TURKISH FINANCE SOCIETY CONFERENCE. Samir Huseynov, president of Teknikbank, located in Baku, Azerbaijan, and a CAPRC advisory board member, is seen making a presentation focusing on the field of banking in Azerbaijan, during the conference, “From The Balkans To The Caucasus And Beyond—Finance, Competition and Regional Cooperation”, held at the Headquarters of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce in Ankara, Turkey. The Central Asian Productivity Research Center was one of the supporting organizations for the conference sponsored by the Finance Society of Turkey in May 2004. Representing the CAPRC at the conference and making presentations were: Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman, and Samir Huseynov, CAPRC advisory board member and coordinator for advisory board members in Baku, Azerbaijan. Mr. Huseynov is considered one of Azerbaijan’s leading bankers The conference was sponsored by organizations from most of the countries located in the Caucasus region and along the historic “Silk Road”.

Central Asian Productivity Research Center
2004 – 2005 Annual Report

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER STUDIES DESTINATION MANAGEMENT.

Mr. Pashayev first visited the USA several years ago to study management. In recent years he has served in a management capacity with a nongovernmental humanitarian organization in Nahkchivan. 2004.05.04

Basrad Pashayev, a CAPRC advisory board member and chairman of the CAPRC’s Young Entrepreneurs Society in Nahkchivan Autonomous Republic, (center) is seen being welcomed by Professor Rasoul Razvanian, a CAPRC advisory board member and professor of finance at Northeastern Illinois University, in Chicago, Illinois (left) and Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman, during a meeting at the International Press Club of Chicago, in Chicago.

When he returned to Nakhavan he began to assist his father to establish a destination management and travel organization. This business now caters to both new visitors and attracts forien workers in the country.

In May 2003, Mr. Pashayev, and Gasim Gasimov, who also visited the US to study management, assumed the initiative to establish the first Young Entrepreneurs Society created by CAPRC. With the slogan “Say YES To Business”, the two young men aggressively worked to help other young people to achieve success in their careers.

Since then the YES program has produced several young people who have assumed the initiative to enter the world of entrepreneurship. Because of their YES experience, especially in the areas of total qulity management and productivity, others have become more efficient employees.

As of this writing, Mr. Gasimov has entered the Azeri army and Mr. Pashayev has relocated to Baku and taken employment with a conglomerate.

2004.05.05

Basrad Pashayev, chairman of the YES program in Nakhchivan (right) is seen receiving two CAPRC Certificates of Achievement from Professor Harry Lepinske, who coordinated his studies in the U.S. in “Destination Management” and “Understanding U.S. Business”.

“YES-NAR” DEVELOPS AGRICULTURE TRAINING PROGRAM

In November 2004, the CAPRC funded its first agriculture training program. Developed by Mr. Pashayev for “YES-NAR”, the program was designed for both managers and agriculture specialists.

Designed to increase quality and productivity, the prime purposes designed by the CAPRC training materials cover are:

Seed Sector Development
Plant Breeding and Biotechnology
Potato Production, Storage and Seed Technology
Integrated Pest Management

Central Asian Productivity Research Center
2004 – 2005 Annual Report

VALPARAISO GRAD STUDENTS COMPLETE RESEARCH REPORTS ON “PRIVATIZATION”

Five Valparaiso University graduate students, all volunteered to serve as research associates for the Central Asian Productivity Research Center to focus on privatization in Central Asia. They spent three months developing and writing their research reports.

2004.05.06

Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman (second left), is seen presenting certificates of achievement to Valparaiso University graduate students: Reid Hooper, Cengizhan Tasbas, Nana Frimpong, and Ashley Anne Kutz for their reports focusing on “Privatization in Central Asia”. Not available is Neil Fishman.

Their certificates were presented during a luncheon program at Valparaiso University, located in Valparaiso, Indiana.

Mr. Fishman focused on Azerbaijan, Mr. Frimpong on Uzbekistan, Mr. Tasbas and Miss Kutz on Turkey, and Mr. Hooper on Georgia.

In May 2005, the research reports were presented to Professor Mehmet Karan, chairman of the Finance Society, and dean of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Hacettepe University, during the conference “From The Balkans to The Caucasus and Beyond: Finance, Competition and Regional Cooperation” which was held in Ankara.

CAPRC WELCOMES THAI CONSUL

Honorable Narotes Sangamanee , consul, Royal Thai Consulate General’s Office in Chicago (center), is seen being welcomed by (left to right) Chris Waer, Professor Roger Hamburg, and Mary Yang, CAPRC advisory board members, and Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman, at a luncheon meeting of the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council at Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, Indiana.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY, STUDENTS AND PROFESSIONALS

Opportunities to lecture at Central Asian universities are offered to specialized faculty members and professionals on an “as-need” basis by the CAPRC.

Specialized professionals also are needed, to assist with academic or economic development programs on a regional basis.

Some universities also welcome foreign students. Because each country has its own situations, (student housing, low cost hotels, etc.) the guidelines will differ.

PRIVATIZATION

Mr. Hooper’s report about “Privatization in Georgia” was presented by Professor Lepinske to Georgia’s Prime Minister Zurab Nogaideli during the “Georgia: Potential For Growth” conference held on October 20-21 in Chicago. Upon reading the report, a leading Georgian banker said, Mr. Hooper’s conclusions were accurate.

Central Asian Productivity Research Center 2004 – 2005 Annual Report
CAPRC SUPPORTS FINANCE CONFERENCE This is a pictorial report of the conference, “From The Balkans to The Caucasus and Beyond: Finance, Competition, and Regional Cooperation”, held in Ankara, Turkey in May. The conference was sponsored by the Finance Society of Turkey and supported by a dozen other international organizations.
Seen at the finance conference are (left to right): Saban Ozdemir, former consul, Turkish Consulate General in Chicago and now an entrepreneur and CAPRC advisory board member in Ankara; Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman; and Hon. Yavuz Aktas, former Turkish consulate general in Chicago and now a foreign affairs advisor to the Minister of National Defencse. Both men have helped in the success of CAPRC. Professor Lepinske (right) is seen presenting his report focusing on “Privatization: Cutting Government Costs While Improving Effectiveness” Discussing conference details are (left to right) Dr. Murad Kayacan, of the Istanbul Stock Market; Professor Mehmet Karan, conference chairman; Samir Huseynov, president of Teknikbank, Baku, Azerbaijan; and Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman. Professor Lepinske meeting during the Finance Conference with Goknur Buyukkara, of Hacettepe University, to discuss her proposed six-week visit to the US to research “initial public offerings” during the summer of 2005. Dr. Fuad Aleskerov, head, Department of Mathematics for Economics, State University Higher School of Education, Moscow, seen explaining “Dynamic Analysis of Russian Bank Performance”. Dr. Selcuk Caner, (left) of Bilkent University, conference cochairman, speaking about “Improving The banking Sector and Financial Intermediation in Emerging Countries”.	Professor Nina Vishnevskaya of the State University High School of Education, speaking about “The Implications of Russia’s WTO Accession for the Labor Market Adjustment” Sevil Rexhepi, assistant lecturer, Faculty of Public Administration, of SEE University, Tetovo, Macedonia (right), is seen discussing “International Governance in Post-War Societies in the Balkans: From Bosnia to Kosovo” She focused on a regional analysis of the new governance model established by the UN, EU, OSCE, and NATO in the Balkans during the last ten years 1995-2005. Professor Lepinske is seen greeting faculty members from the Department of Mathematics For Economics, State University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia. Azer Emiraslanov, chairman of the Young Economists Association of Azerbaijan, speaking about “Recent Developments in Azerbaijan Economy”. Dr. Andrei Yakovlev, Moscow focusing on “Interaction of Interest Groups and Their Impact on economic Reform In Contempory Russia: Befor and After Yukos”

Central Asian Productivity Research Center
2004 – 2005 Annual Report

DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON
INT’L TRADE OPPORTUNITIES

Long-time friends who first met in Beijing, China, Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman, and Bing Yang, an MBA student at Purdue University Calumet, are seen during a seminar focusing on “Business Opportunities In International Trade” sponsored by the Entrepreneurship program of PUC at its E-Center located in Hammond, Indiana. PUC’s E-Center is considered an award-winning program that helps dozens of entrepreneurs annually to increase their level of success.

AMERICAN LITERATURE ATTRACTS AZERI READERS

Four years ago, the CAPRC, in cooperation with the State University of Nakhchivan, presented the first-ever American Literature Conference in all of Central Asia, at NSU, in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

The conference focused on the writings and lives of Mark Twain, Jack London, and Ernest Hemingway.

Because of the stron interest in Ernest Hemingway, an Ernest Hemingway Conference was organized one year later.

In the fall of 2004, Professor dr. Issa Habibbayli, rector of Nakhchivan State University, visited Oak Park, Illinois for one week to study at the Ernest Hemingway Museum and Library. He returned to NSU to establish an Ernest Hemingway Library and Research Center on the campus of NSU.

An original copy of a report written by the rector is available from the CAPRC by contacting the chairman at Lepinske@juno.com.

BAKU ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION TRAINING

Miss Aydan Abasova, a CAPRC advisory board member is seen meeting Patrick Rogers, supervisor of Lyons Township.

Miss Abasova, participated in an intensive 12 week orientation program in the field of township and other forms of local government. She had been teaching public administration in Baku , Azerbaijan. She was provided the opportunity to work with the various elected officials in Lyons Township including the supervisor’s (administration) office, the township assessor, and township clerk.

Township government is the oldest form of government in the US. It originated under the government of the English crown.

Lyons township is 40 square miles, has 17 municipalities, a large unincorporated region, and a population of nearly 200,000.

During the previous year, Miss Abosova, visited the US to attend a six-week orientation program with the Village of Western Springs, Illinois

During each of her two visits, she also had an opportunity to meet elected officials of Cook County and the State of Illinois.

Central Asian Productivity Research Center
2004 – 2005 Annual Report

MARKETING SEMINAR IN ANKARA IS SUCCESSFUL

Professor Mehmet Karan, dean of the Faculty of economics and Administrative Sciences at Hacettepe University, located in Ankara, Turkey (center left), is seen with Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman, and students following a marketing seminar presented by Professor Lepinske in May at the University.

CAPRC ADVISORY BOARD BUSINESS CONFERNCE HELD IN BAKU, AZERBAIJAN

The CAPRC Advisory Board members held its first-ever “International Managing For Quality and Productivity Conference “ at the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs Organization in Baku, Azerbaijan, in September 2004.

Topic included:

“Status of Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan”
“Financing For Entrepreneurship and Small Business”
“Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Azerbaijan”
“Entrepreneurship and Economic Development”
“Managing For Quality For The Export of Specialty Products”
“Managing Business For Quality”
“The Risks and Work When Starting a New Business”
“The Role of the Banking Industry in the “Azerbaijani Economy””
“Managing Government for Quality”

CENTRAL ASIAN PRODUCTIVITY RESEARCH CENTER
Professor Harry Lepinske, Chairman
E-mail lepinske@juno.com
Web Site www.caprc.org
A strategic alliance of volunteers committed to assist with the development of quality and productivity in government, education, and education development programs in countries located along the historic “Silk Road”, extending from Turkey to West China. The CAPRC, a nonprofit, nonpolitical, and non-government organization, focusing on regional self-help programs.

See CAPRC next column

CAPRC continued from previous column

During its five-year history, it has:
Assisted with management training for humanitarian programs.

Developed business and professional training programs for visitors from Central Asia.

Developed, organized, and managed business and professional training programs presented on-sit in Central Asia.

Developed specialized programs for Americans to study in Central Asia.

Developed American literature programs and events, including the first-ever American Literature Conference in all of Central Asia, and establishment of the Ernest Hemingway Library and Museum on the campus of Nakhchivan State University, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan.

Established Business/Management/Libraries in Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan.

Developed opportunities for American professionals to assist in health care, business, professional, government, and technical training programs.

If you would like to help contact the chairman
at: lepinske@juno.com

2004.05.22

Seen at the breakfast seminar focusing on “Turkey: A Mirror of The New EU” are (left to right): Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman; Abdullah Akyuz, USA president, Turkish Industrialist’s and Businessmen’s Association (TUSIAD-USA); Professor Roger Hamburg, professor emeritus, political science, Indiana University;Bahri Batu, vice consul, Consulate of Turkey in Chicago; Julie Maddux, Valparaiso University MBA candidate and CAPRC research associate; and Nana Frimpong, also a Valparaiso MBA candidate and CAPRC research associate. The event hosted by the Northwest Indiana World Trade Council and organized by CAPRC, was presented in March in Hammond, Indiana.