LATEST NEWS

THE POLITECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF VALENCIA HOSTED THE SECOND PROJECT MEETING

The second project meeting was held at UPV over the period July, 4th – 5th. Thirty eight participants representing all partner institutions took part in the working sessions. Prof. Jose Capilla delivered a welcome speech. An official address was presented by Prof. Félix Francés – Director of the Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering. On behalf of all participants, the Project Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Mariya Zheleva expressed gratitude for the efforts to organize and host the two-day event.

The primary objective of the meeting was to report the first main project outcomes as well as to assure the smooth progress of ACADEMICA by planning the next steps and distributing the main task and responsibilities among the partners. The focus of the first working day was placed on the National Summary Reports of the Central Asian member organizations. Additionally, the main results of both the Kick-off Evaluation Report and the Website Evaluation Report were delivered. Both the incoming deliverables related to WP1 “Analysis, Research and Creation of a Common Body of Knowledge” and some preparation activities regarding WP2 “ACADEMICA Training Path Development” were discusses over the second day. Each participant received a certificate.

FIELD MONITORING OF THE ACADEMICA PROJECT IN TURKMENISTAN

May 25, 2016 at the Turkmen State Institute of Culture was held monitoring of the ACADEMICA the project. The event was attended by Piia Heinamaki – representative of the EACEA and Aina Choreklieva - National Coordinator of the Erasmus + Turkmenistan. The project was represented by: the project working group of Turkmen State Institute of Culture - Ogulsona Gojayeva, Andrei Blinov, Jumamurad Charyyev, Kerimberdy Niyazmuhammedov, and Ruslan Charyyev; the project working group of Turkmen State Institute of Finances - Shohrat Byashimov, Guychgeldy Gutlyev, and Gulshat Hudayberdyeva. The Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, which is an associated project partner, was represented by Maya Orazova and Ruslan Jumayev.

The participants reported on the work done since the beginning of the project. During the monitoring were exchanged views on issues relating to the relevance and the need for such projects.

All participants noted that the technological progress has invaded all sectors of the economy. The contemporary ICT-based approaches and tools are used in industry, agriculture social sphere and in the education.

FIELD MONITORING OF ACADEMICA IMPLEMENTATION AT SAMARKAND AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE IN UZBEKISTAN

The monitoring of all ERASMUS+ projects implementation at Samarkand Agricultural Institute (SAI) was held on 5th May 2016 year. At the meeting participated the National Coordinator of Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan Mrs. Aziza Abdurahmanova, the expert of National Office - Mr. Kudrathon Bahodirov, the Head of the Department of International Relations of SAI - Shavkat Hasanov, the National Coordinator of ERASMUS+ projects - Farhod Ahrorov, the Leader of the project ACADEMICA - Shuhrat Mardonov, the Coordinator of the project IQAT – Prof. Olim Murtazaev, the Coordinator of the project MIND - Ibrohim Ganiev and all members of project work groups.

The meeting started with the presentation of Head of International Department Shavkat Hasanov. After that Mrs. Aziza Abdurahmonova spoke about achievement in development of Capacity Building in Higher Education and the implementing projects of ERASMUS+ in Uzbekistan.

The National coordinator Farhod Ahrorov made presentation about overall management of Erasmus+/Tempus projects.

During the event the Leader of the Project ACADEMICA - Shuhrat Mardonov presented more detailed information about the project aims, objectives, expected results, and planned activities and tasks.

At the end of presentations all participants of the project discussed about results during the monitoring, ensure the fulfilment of successful outcomes of the project and at the end of discussion general concluding remarks were made.

FIELD MONITORING OF ACADEMICA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AT TASHKENT UNIVERSITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES UZBEKISTAN

The monitoring of ACADEMICA project implementation at Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) was held on May 2, 2016.

The National Coordinator of Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan Mrs. Aziza Abdurahmanova together with expert of national office Mr. Kudrathon Bahodirov vizited TUIT and discussed the progress of activities with Project Coordinator, Mr. Sabirjan Yusupov and other local project participants and university students.

FM started from the meeting with TUIT Rector, Mr. Utkir Khamdamov who emphasized the importance of EU funded project for overall process of educational system modernization and development in Uzbekistan. Some issues related to activity and outcomes of EU projects reflecting the actual needs of education system (educational programs and technical infrastructure updating and development, course content empowerment etc.) were discussed.

Then the goals and objectives of the monitoring meeting were briefly presented by Mrs. Aziza Abdurahmanova. This introduction was followed by the presentation from the local project coordinator, Mr. Sabirjan Yusupov, Assistant Professor of "Information Security" Department of TUIT who provided an overview of the goals and objectives of the project ACADEMICA, works implemented and future plans.

All participants were invited to the round table discussion wherein different issues were stressed out (the relevance of project with the current processes at institutional level; activities implemented during the monitoring period; changes visible for getting better and effective project outcomes, managerial terms, and others). At the end of the discussion some general concluding remarks were made.

PROJECT ACADEMICA KICK-OFF MEETING AT BURGAS FREE UNIVERSITY, BULGARIA

The kick-off meeting of the Project „Accessibility and Harmonization of Higher Education in Central Asia through Curriculum Modernization and Development“ /ACADEMICA/ № 561553-EPP-1-2015-1-BG-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP was held in Burgas Free University, Bulgaria from 23 to 24 February 2016.

ACADEMICA is one of the two projects, coordinated by a Bulgarian institution, selected for funding under the programme Erasmus+, Key Action 2 “Cooperation for innovation and exchange of good practices” - “Capacity building in the field of higher education” - 2015.

More than 40 delegates representing the institutions and organizations involved in the Project Consortium took part in the two-day meeting. The members of the Burgas Free University Management Body were official gests of the formal opening session. The Project partners coming from 7 European (Bulgaria, Austria, Italy, and Spain) and Central Asian (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) countries introduced their home institutions and project teams.

In the beginning of the working session, the Project Coordinator Assoc. Prof. Mariya Zheleva presented the framework, goals and objectives of the Project as well as its work plan. Next, the Package Leaders (Mr. Jose Capilla from UPV, Spain; Mrs. Michela Tramonti from USGM, Italy; Mr. Rene Wenzel from FHJ Austria, and Mr. Anuarbek Kakabayev from KokSU, Kazakhstan) made an overview of the current state of the work packages, planned activities and tasks. The state of Higher education in Engineering Sciences at each partner institution was also reviewed. Another point of discussion was the ongoing implementation of the Bologna process and the reform of higher education in this regard. The Partnership Agreement and other financial and managerial issues were considered as well. During the last session, the Project working groups were consolidated, a detailed TO DO list was developed and the next plenary project meeting was scheduled. Mr. Rene Wenzel and Mrs. Mariya Neycheva delivered to each participant a questionnaire designed for meeting evaluation feedback. The filled–in forms were collected back for processing and summary of the results. At the end of the meeting each delegate received a Certificate of Attendance.

The Project Coordinator Mrs. Zheleva expressed gratitude on behalf of the host organization for the hard work done and active participation of the attendants.

EVENTS

SECOND MEETING OF ACADEMICA PROJECT

Over July, 4th-5th, the second work meeting of the project team will be held at the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain. The primary focus will be on the intermediate outcomes such as the results of the National Summary Reports of the Central Asia partner countries, the preparation for Dev. 1.1., Dev. 1.2., and Dev. 1.3. The current state of all work packages will be monitor, the process of work and ways for its improvement, some administrative, financial and managerial issues will be discussed as well. All partner institutions have confirmed their participation.

MEETING OF THE ACADEMICA PROJECT TEAM OF SAMARKAND AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL ERASMUS+ OFFICE, UZBEKISTAN

On 5th of May 2016 the filed monitoring of all ERASMUS+ projects implementation at Samarkand Agricultural Institute (SAI) was held.

During the event the ACADEMICA Project Team of SAI, the National Coordinator of Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan Mrs. Aziza Abdurahmanova and the Expert of National Office Mr. Kudrathon Bahodirov had discussion dedicated to consideration of accessibility of the project, organization of work packages, project management, and faced project management difficulties, and process of work. The National coordinator Farhod Ahrorov and the SAI Leader of ACADEMICA Project Shuhrat Mardonov did detailed presentation about the main aims, objectives, expected results and activities of the project.

MEETING OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF ERASMUS+ OFFICE IN UZBEKISTAN WITH THE ACADEMICA PROJECT TEAM OF TASHKENT UNIVERSITY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES

On 2 May 2016 the National Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan - Mrs. Aziza Abdurahmanova - together with expert of national office Mr. Kudrathon Bahodirov vizited Tashkent University of Information Technologies in the framework of the field monitoring event. During the event the representatives of the Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan discussed the progress of ACADEMICA Project activities with Project Coordinator, Mr. Sabirjan Yusupov and other local project participants and university students.

All participants took part in the round table discussion wherein different issues such as the relevance of project with the current processes at institutional level; activities implemented during the monitoring period; changes visible for getting better and effective project outcomes, managerial terms were stressed out.

OFFICIAL START OF THE ACADEMICA PROJECT

The start meeting of the international Project „Accessibility and Harmonization of Higher Education in Central Asia through Curriculum Modernization and Development“ /ACADEMICA/ № 561553-EPP-1-2015-1-BG-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP was held on 23 and 24 February 2016 in Burgas Free University, Burgas, Bulgaria.

The Project consortium consists of partners coming from 7 European (Bulgaria, Austria, Italy, and Spain) and Central Asian (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) countries. More than 40 delegates representing the institutions and organizations involved in the Project took part in the two-day meeting. The participants discussed main aims of the project, financial and managerial issues, distribution of the tasks, long- and short term objectives and expected results.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

“Accessibility and Harmonization of Higher Education in Central Asia through Curriculum Modernization and Development“ /ACADEMICA/ is a three-year project co-funded by the European Commission in the framework of ERASMUS Plus Programme, Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices. The Project is carried out under the centralized activity “Capacity-building in the Field of Higher Education” /CBHE/- 2015.

The Project Consortium brings together 15 organisations from seven European and Central Asian (Region 7) countries – Bulgaria, Austria, Italy, Spain, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The motivation behind the Project is to bring together European Higher Education Institutions which possess and supply cutting-edge developments, innovative learning practices and extensive international experience and Higher Education Institutions from Partner countries in Central Asia – Region 7 (especially Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) which need and demand the same developments, practices and experience.

ACADEMICA intends to promote the voluntary convergence with the European Union expertise in Engineering Studies. Its innovative character is expressed by:

1. Innovative ACADEMICA training methodology integrating modern pedagogical approaches and content which aim to equip lecturers with transversal and key competences and skills necessary for their active inclusion in the global digital teaching and learning space.
2. ICT-based educational opportunities: The Project provides more flexible accessibility to training opportunities through the usage of ICT-based approaches;
3. Modernized University curricula in Engineering Sciences integrating contemporary technology-based approaches and contents.
4. Establishment of a transnational co-operation system among Universities and business organizations that is designed to improve the capacity of Higher Education Institutions in the Partner countries from Region 7 thus achieving excellence by linking education, innovation and business.

The Project is expected to create short- and long-term benefits for Higher Education, business and society by generating European Added Value through:

• the acknowledgment of European educational standards beyond the EU borders;
• fostering the link “education-business-society”;
• enhancement of the inter-cultural dialog among the participating countries;
• inspiring the supply of open free of cost educational resources;
• provision of a common framework which stimulates the exchange and synthesis of experiences and best practices gained through collaboration of experts in different spheres from the EU and Central Asia.

Incorporating the systematic approach, ACADEMICA is divided into 5 coherent work packages (WPs) as follows:

• WP1 Analysis, Research and Creation of a Common Body of Knowledge - This work package creates a comparative analysis of Higher Education in Engineering Studies. It aims to identify the needs, gaps and aspects for improvement as well as the competences and skills that must be developed in order to improve the capacity of the academic staff in the Partner countries in line with the requirements of the digital education era and the EU educational standards and policies.
• WP2 ACADEMICA Training Path Development - This work package creates a modern technological educational environment as well as a methodology based on the usage of the advanced ICT based approaches and contents for capacity improvement of the university lectures.
• WP3 Quality Assurance and Evaluation - This WP involves an internal evaluation of the management process of the Project and the outputs created during its lifetime. The main tasks are: specification of quality indicators, designing of evaluation and monitoring tools and procedures, analyzing and working out corrective actions when necessary.
• WP4 Dissemination and Exploitation - This work package aims at promoting the Project by giving visibility to ongoing and forthcoming activities and outcomes. It also helps the impact of activities on the target groups to be maximized. Moreover, WP4 is designed to promote the project sustainability as well as to mainstream its successful experiences and best practices.
• WP5 Project Management - This work package ensures effective and efficient management of all planned activities within the estimated time in order to achieve the expected results in accordance with the available financial resources and rules.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

ACADEMICA aims to contribute to the modernization and improvement of Higher Education in the field of Engineering Sciences in several countries from Central Asia (Region 7) specifically Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through convergence with the European educational standards and good practices in the Higher Education.

ACADEMICA aims to contribute to the modernization and improvement of Higher Education in the field of Engineering Sciences in several countries from Central Asia (Region 7) specifically Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through convergence with:

• The European educational standards;
• The achievements and expertise of EU in the development of modern learning environments;
• The good EU practices as well as innovative methodologies for teaching and learning based on contemporary ICT and Open Educational Resources (OERs).

The Project’s main objectives comprise:

• Provision of flexible access to HE through establishment of modern educational environments in HEIs involved in the project;
• Improvement of competencies of the university lecturers in Engineering Sciences by their active involvement in the global digital educational space;
• Modernization of the Engineering Degree Curricula through an integration of innovative ICT-based teaching and learning approaches and OERs.
• Development of a system for transnational cooperation between universities and business organizations from the EU and the countries from Central Asia (Region 7 - Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) in order to exchange experience and good practices.

The specific objectives of the Project are as follows:

1. To modernize Higher Education in Engineering Studies in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan by:
   • integrating contemporary ICT-based approaches and tools in line with both the EU educational standards and policies and the national priorities in the Central Asian countries;
   • demonstrating new approaches and ways for delivering university knowledge to economy and society;
   • motivating the academic community through a direct feedback from both the business world and the learners.

1. To improve the capacity building of human capital through acquisition of transversal and key e-skills and competences for the digital HE era by contributing to the recognition of online learning efforts in business and the HE community through an involvement of business for a feedback about the relevance of the improved curricula.
2. To foster international and cross-sectoral knowledge, expertise and best practice exchange by:
   • connecting experts in Higher Education in Engineering Sciences and related domains from EU and Central Asia – Region 7;
   • co-creating knowledge and experience through provision of educational methodologies and innovative approaches based on the usage of open educational resources (OERs).

TARGET GROUPS

In line with the Project’s objectives and expected outcomes, the target groups comprise all the direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project results and outcomes.

• Direct beneficiaries: the academic staff in Engineering Sciences as well as students following Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree Engineering Programs.
• Indirect beneficiaries: Local, Regional and National Governing Bodies responsible for the educational policy; University networks, Higher Education Institutions in the Partner Countries, Business, Associations of Employers, etc.

BENEFICIARIES

The establishment of a joint, accessible and successful system of transnational co-operation among Universities and organizations on international and cross-sectoral level will facilitate the diffusion of the project outcomes and results among the traget groups in the EU and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) at all levels.

The students will benefit directly from the transnational cooperation system involving Universities and organisations from both the EU and Central Asia. This will bring the learning processes and their outcomes closer to what students need to participate successfully in a dynamic knowledge-based society and to enter the job market.

Regarding the university lecturers, ACADEMICA faces the challenge of bridging the gap between the “old” methodologies of access to educational content (primarily printed books or photocopies, defunct contents) and more “flexible and updated” teaching-learning strategies (continuously updated contents, open access and co-creation of resources and inter-institutional exchange). The creation of exchange programs and curricula will support the modernization and harmonization of the university curricula in Engineering Sciences by virtue of the cross-border cooperation in curricula reform, scientific collaboration and knowledge transfer as stated in the Bologna process and the Lisbon strategy as well as the Europe 2020 flagship initiative Digital Agenda for Europe (DAE).

The expected impact of ACADEMICA on the indirect beneficiaries in charge of identifying and promoting institutional development, adopting new teaching strategies as well as providing support to university teachers and researchers is determined by establishment of international cooperation between HEIs in the EU and Central Asia in order to get mutual benefits in terms of not only improving the education results but also establishing long lasting linkages, reaching dialogue and mutual understanding which are essential features to sustain an EU - Central Asia Common Higher Education Area.

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Methodology (ACADEMICA Training Path) designed to equip lecturers with transversal and key competences and skills for their active inclusion in the global digital teaching and learning space;
• Technological and educational environment providing flexible access to training opportunities;
• Modernized curricula in Engineering Studies integrating contemporary ICT-based approaches and contents;
• Establishment of a transnational co-operation system among Universities and business organizations for the purpose of sharing innovative practices, scientific co-operation and knowledge transfer.

EXPECTED RESULTS AND OUTCOMES

ACADEMICA is expected to bring long-term benefits as well. It is expected to develop a transnational co-operation system among universities and organizations from member countries and countries neighbouring the EU (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan) in terms of:

• curricula reform;
• scientific cooperation;
• knowledge transfer;
• exchange of best practices.

It will facilitate the generation of data value chains through various projects, research, and innovations.

The impact and the benefits of ACADEMICA would go beyond its lifetime through delivering sustainable outcomes. The Project is expected to increase the accessibility to Higher Education in Central Asia (especially Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) and the quality of teaching and learning through an integration of contemporary ICT-based pedagogical approaches and tools into the university curricula.

It would improve the academic capacity building with regard to the development of lifelong learning transversal and key competences as recommended by the new strategic framework for cooperation in education and training (ET2020) and “New Skills for New Job” initiative.

The modernisation of the university curricula in compliance with the European educational standards would move the third-level education in the Partner countries closer to the European educational space.

PARTNERSHIP

PARTNERS

EU PARTNERS

Burgas Free University

Burgas Free University /BFU/ is one of the first non-state universities in Bulgaria. The University provides BA, MA and PhD educational programs in Humanities, Legal, Social and Economic Studies as well as Technical and Computer Sciences. The University is certified under the International Quality Standard ISO 9001:2008. BFU is a modern and innovative academic institution with recognized capacity and experience in co-ordination and implementation of many research and educational projects both at a national and international level. It has attained an internationally recognized status and significant academic achievements.

One of the priorities of BFU is to improve the quality of the training systems through development of innovative contents, methods and procedures taking into account the feedback and demand of the labor market and business organizations.

It is the mission of the University to be a flexible, enterprising and socially responsible higher education institution providing training of specialists equipped with skills for successful professional realization and rapid career advancement in today's dynamic globalizing environment.

Contact Person: Mariya Zheleva, mariaj@bfu.bg

Università degli Studi Guglielmo Marconi

Università degli Studi “Guglielmo Marconi” (USGM) is the first Athenaeum in Italy following the “Open University” model. USGM was established in 2004 by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR M.D. March 2004) as the first Italian open-university with the aim to spread and produce knowledge, giving everybody access to proper learning tools in Italy as well as worldwide.

The USGM adopts innovating learning modalities by developing suitable research strategies for most advanced technological solutions and by integrating nonresidential communication means (e-learning, chat, forum, videoconference) with seminar activities (workshops, seminars). The Open University model represents a driving factor within the information society, able to have strategic functions in professional training, knowledge production and spreading of digital culture.

Contact Person: Michela Tramonti, m.tramonti@unimarconi.it

Universitat Politecnica de Valencia

UPV is a public Higher Education Institution actively involved in international cooperation and mobility projects. UPV hosts over 36,000 students and employs over 5,000 people (teaching, research, administrative, services staff). It is the first technological university in Spain according to international rankings (e.g. Shanghai Ranking of World Universities) and offers 33 undergraduate programmes, 73 official Master’s degrees and 28 Doctorate programmes. Even though UPV focuses mainly on Engineering studies, it also hosts a Faculty of Fine Arts and a Faculty of Business Administration and Management. It receives every year around 1900 exchange students and sends about 1600 UPV students abroad under different mobility programmes. UPV has repeatedly ranked among the top 5 European Universities in student exchange figures under the Erasmus Programme. UPV has experience in the management of European projects and takes part in different actions (FP7, Tempus, Alfa, Erasmus Mundus, US-Atlantis, LLP networks and multilateral projects, Creative Europe, Erasmus +, etc.) and in several international networks such as ANUIES, Magalhaes, Santander Group, CONAHEC, CARPE, SEFI.

Contact Person: Jose Capilla, jcapilla@upv.es

University of Applied Sciences FH Joanneum

FH JOANNEUM is one of the leading universities of applied sciences in Austria with located on three campuses in the province of Styria.

FH JOANNEUM comprises following departments:

• Applied Computer Sciences
• Engineering
• Health Studies
• Building, Energy & Society
• Media & Design
• Management

FH JOANNEUM has further already participated in a high number of EU projects in which it acted as coordinator and as partner. Therefore, the organization can rely on many years of experience and highly qualified staff when it comes to EU and company projects.

Contact Person: Rene Wenzel, Rene.Wenzel@fh-joanneum.at

KAZAKHSTAN PARTNERS

Shokan Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University

Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University is one of the leading regional universities in the Northern Kazakhstan.

Currently, there are 6 faculties at the university. Academic staff consists of over 500 professors. The students are trained in 54 specialties. The university offers BA, MA and PhD educational programs. The educational process is adapted to the principles of the Bologna Process based on ECTS and “University-Enterprise” relations. Lecturers and students participate in international educational programs such as: DAAD, IREX, LOGO, TEMPUS, Erasmus Mundus, "Bolashak”, Erasmus+ KA1, Erasmus+KA2. Since 2010 KokSU is a member of Magna Charta Universitatum (Bologna, Italy). According to the rating of the Independent Kazakhstan Agency for Quality Assurance Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University ranks twelfth among multidisciplinary universities of the country.

Contact Person: Anuarbek Kakabayev, anuarka@mail.ru

International Information Technology University

The International Information Technology University (IITU) is a science and technological knowledge-based center that provides marketable skills for younger generations who may be gainfully employed by national and international organizations, contribute to the prosperity of the nation. It offers 9 BA, 4 MA and 2 PhD, double degree programs in core professional areas of ICT, mathematical-computer modeling, radiotechnics, electronics and telecommunications, business and finance, electronic journalism.

In 2013, IITU ranked the 8th in the country among technical universities.

IITU has partnership with 63 educational and non-educational institutions of the world.

Being youthful, dynamic, and creative, the University is making every effort to utilize all of its strengths and is committed to taking the lead in information technology and communications research and applications within Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

Contact Person: Gulnara Zakirova, gulzak@mail.ru

Abay Myrzakhmetov Kokshetau University

Abay Myrzakhmetov Kokshetau University carries out educational activity since 2000 on credit and distance education technologies, such forms as full-time, part-time for 43 undergraduate majors, master's, doctoral, and by the law, humanitarian and technology cycles. Training is conducted in the Kazakh and Russian languages. The higher education institution conducts the international cooperation with the European organizations for educational and scientific activity. Highly qualified teaching staff is represented by doctors, PhD, masters, production practices.

The university has a modern educational environment: academic buildings, educational specialized laboratories and computer rooms, modern library information system, modernized corporate computer fiber optic network, Wi-Fi on the university territory. All students are provided with bases of production practices, resulting in a high percentage of graduate employment.

Contact Person: Assel Kozakhmetova, bp_am@kuam.kz

Kostanay State Pedagogical Institute

The institute has the state license granted by Committee on control in education and science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan issued October, 5th, 2012 (without term restriction) according to 23 specialties of bachelor degree programmes. All specialties of the institute underwent the procedure of the State certification in 2015 and were certified on the basis of the Decree of Committee of control in education and science.

Kostanay State Pedagogical Institute successfully underwent the test for observance of standards of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of education and the qualification requirements imposed within the process of licensing educational activity in June, 2014. The structure of the institute includes 7 faculties: natural and mathematical; physical culture, sport and tourism; psychology and pedagogy; Kazakh and Russian philology; foreign languages; history and arts; distance learning. Educational process is organized in 13 departments. The credit system of teaching and learning is actively implemented in all faculties of the Institute.

Contact Person: Mikhail Sukhov, sukhov-m@mail.ru

Kazakhstan Association of Engineering Education

The union of legal entities Kazakhstan Association for Engineering Education KAZSEE (hereinafter referred to as the “Association”) is a non-profit organization in the form of a union of legal entities. Association is a form of business organization involving grouping of private enterprises and non-profit organizations on the republican level with the purpose of coordination of cooperation in the area of development of engineering education and activities in all their aspects in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan Association for Engineering Education KAZSEE recognized network ENAEE a full member, is a member of the European Federation of National Engineering Societies (FEANI); International Federation of Engineering Education Societies IFEES, an international network for quality assurance in Higher Education INQAAHE.

Contact Person: Aizhan Assilbekova, aizhan.assylbekova@mail.ru

Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a government body that manages in the fields of education, science, children's rights and youth policy.

The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan is a government body that manages in the fields of education, science, children's rights and youth policy. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan carries out its activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan, acts of the President and the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, other normative legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as these Regulations. The mission of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan is development of the intellectual potential of the nation, the formation and implementation of state policy in the sphere of education and science, ensuring competitiveness and sustainable socio-economic growth.

Objectives:

1. formation of a unified state policy in the field of education, scientific and technical activities;
2. formation of a unified state policy in the sphere of state youth policy;
3. the creation of necessary conditions for education;
4. improving the organization of scientific research and increase their competitiveness;
5. protection of the rights and legal interests.

Contact Person: Banu Narbekova, narbek17@mail.ru

UZBEKISTAN PARTNERS

Samarkand Agricultural Institute SAI

Samarkand Agricultural Institute was founded in 1929 and now it is one of the largest agrarian higher educational institutions in Central Asia. There are 5 faculties, of Agronomy, Veterinary, Zooengineering, Management in agriculture, and Agro engineering with 16 specialties.

The Institute has trained a lot of highly qualified specialists for different branches of agriculture for the republic of Uzbekistan and other neighboring countries.

Contact Person: Farhod Ahrorov, fahrorov@yahoo.com

Tashkent University of Information Technologies

Тashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT) is the largest higher educational institution in Central Asia in the sphere of telecommunications and information systems. The university established in 1955. Educational activity is carried out via subdivisions of the university at 6 faculties: Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Telecommunication Technologies, Television Technologies, Economy and Management, Professional Education. There are 5 regional branches of TUIT located at cities Samarkand, Fergana, Urgench, Karshi and Nukus.

Contact Person: Sabirjan Yusupov, s.yusupov@tuit.uz

Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The Ministry of Higher and Secondary-Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan was formed by the President's Decree dated January 7, 1990. Regulations on The Ministry of Higher and Secondary-Specialized Education of The Republic of Uzbekistan was approved by the enactment of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan "Concerning the Activity Modernization of The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan” dated July 20 of 2004, № 341.

Contact Person: Maksudjon Khamraev, moliya@edu.uz

TURKMENISTAN PARTNERS

Turkmen State Institute of Culture

Turkmen state Institute of Culture was founded on January 9, 1992 in accordance with the Decree by President of Turkmenistan. At the present time 160 instructors are teaching students disciplines of general education, as well as special and creative ones. Among them highly qualified specialists with doctor's and candidate's degrees, associate professors, National actors of Turkmenistan and National writers of Turkmenistan. 3 faculties (Dramatic Art, Cultural Heritage, and Library and museum management) and 11 departments of the Institute carry out teaching and educational work. The special mission of forming the cultural potential of the nation, its spiritual revival is entrusted to the Turkmen State Institute of Culture. Teaching and educational process is being implemented on the basis of information technologies and study of preservation of national cultural heritage. Currently the Institute will create an electronic library, which will be incorporated into this to university interlibrary network. The Institute is equipped with multimedia equipment, which motivates students to gaining qualitative knowledge.

Contact Person: Ogulsona Gojayeva, ogulsonagodzhaeva@mail.ru

Turkmen State Institute of Finances

Turkmen state institute of finance is one of the youngest higher educational institutions in Independent Turkmenistan. It is based under the Decree of our Honorable President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov from July, 8, 2011. It was established to develop of quality of preparation of experts in financial specialties for improving financial and economic management, creating and implementation of financial and economic strategy during the Prosperous epoch of Powerful state. Creation of this higher educational institution is one of the vivid examples of transformations of our Honorable President along with other branches and in the field of science and education. Creation of this modern higher educational institution puts the important problems before the professor-teachers of the institute. These problems consist of strengthening of economic power of the country, in particular in preparation of the experts, capable to strengthen financially-bank system of our state. Under the Decision of the President of Turkmenistan the Institute comprises 4 faculties (Finance, Account and audit, Taxes and taxation, and Banking) and 10 departments. The Institute has modern educational environment and.

Contact Person: Shohrat Byashimov, byashimov.1985@mail.ru

ASSOCIATED PARTNERS

Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan

The Institute of International Relations of the MFA of Turkmenistan was established on March 20, 2008. The building complex of the Institute includes a main building, second educational building, dormitory and sport complex. The Institute trains specialists in international relations, international law, international economic relations and international journalism.

At the Institute students are taught different disciplines such as Foundations of the Neutral Policy of Turkmenistan, Theory of International Relations, Foundations of Diplomatic Service, Diplomatic Protocol, Diplomatic Negotiations, International Organizations, International Law, etc.

Contact Person: Maya Orazova, orazova.maya@bk.ru

CF "Fund" Zhas Otan "of Akmola region", Republic of Kazakhstan

The youth wing "Zhas Otan" - is a leading youth organization of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Main purpose of the youth wing "Zhas Otan"- to protect the interests of every young citizen of Kazakhstan (16-29 years old) and the creation of a strong and credible youth organization capable of leading the youth. Our organization was created on the initiative of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, and this opens us possibilities that are not available to other youth organizations. We stand for human capital development, quality education, professional development and a healthy lifestyle as the basis to success of every young citizen of Kazakhstan. СF "Fund" Zhas Otan "of Akmola region" are one of the regional chairman and 19 executives in 17 districts and 2 cities. This allows us to carry out professional work not only in the city of Kokshetau, but in all areas and rural areas.

Contact Person: Zhanargul Zhunusova, zhunusova09@mail.ru

CONTACTS

Burgas Free University

Address:

62, San Stefano Street

8001 Burgas, Bulgaria

Project Coordinator:

Associated Professor Mariya Monov-Zheleva

e-mail: mariaj@bfu.bg

tel. +359 56 900 404