WSC Academic Week 2010

5 to 9 July 2010
International Conference Centre (CICG)
Geneva (Switzerland)

Standardization in general and International Standards in particular are of interest and can be promoted to academia from various standpoints:

• Standards are the collective and consensual crystallization of knowledge and can be used as pedagogical tools
• The nature, role and importance of standards in technology, trade, marketing and legal matters is, in itself, a subject which may be incorporated in curricula of technical universities, business schools and law faculties
• Standards can also be the subject for academic studies and research work aiming at investigating the multi-faceted relation between standards and innovation, international trade, business strategy, public welfare and sustainable development
• Standards assist academic institutions’ infrastructures and management processes
• Participation of academia in the standards development process can be beneficial to both academia and the standards developing organizations.

ISO, IEC and ITU recognize the fundamental contribution that educational institutions can give on teaching what international standardization is and what can be achieved through it. The three organizations are keen to support these institutions in their efforts and have developed a variety of initiatives contributing to encourage them to share their knowledge, experience and expertise in this domain.

Furthermore, academia’s work on the cutting edge of research and technology can be beneficial for the development of standards. Increasing their participation in the standards setting process should be encouraged.

The WSC Academic Week 2010 (5-9 July 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland) has been conceived by ISO, IEC and ITU as a way to promote the dialogue between academic institutions and the international standards community, to raise awareness and to foster cooperation and possible joint initiatives.