Bishkek, January 15–16, 2026 — The Kick-off Meeting of the international Erasmus+ project “D-TIDE-KG – Digital Transformation of Inclusive Doctoral Education in Kyrgyzstan” was successfully held at the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM) in Bishkek. The project is implemented under the Erasmus+ Programme Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action and is co-funded by the European Union.
The two-day meeting brought together more than 45 participants, including representatives of the Ministry of Science, Higher Education and Innovations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan, academic staff and experts from IHSM, as well as project partners from Kyrgyzstan, Germany and Lithuania.
The D-TIDE-KG project aims to support the digital transformation and inclusiveness of doctoral (PhD) education in the Kyrgyz Republic. Its main objectives include modernising PhD training systems, widening access to doctoral education for diverse target groups, introducing digital and virtual learning tools, and establishing PhD virtual centres to enhance research supervision, mobility, and international cooperation.
On 15 January, 2026, the National Coordinator of the Erasmus+ Programme in Kyrgyzstan delivered a welcome address, officially opening the meeting. In her remarks, she highlighted the strategic relevance of the D-TIDE-KG project for the national higher education and research agenda, emphasizing the role of Erasmus+ in supporting systemic reforms, digitalisation, and inclusiveness in doctoral education. She also underlined the importance of strong project management, active partner cooperation, and sustainability to ensure long-term impact beyond the project lifetime.
Opening remarks were also delivered by representatives of national authorities and the host institution, who stressed the importance of strengthening research capacity, fostering international academic cooperation, and aligning doctoral education in Kyrgyzstan with European standards and best practices.
During the Kick-off Meeting, participants discussed in detail:
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project management structures and quality assurance mechanisms;
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work plans, milestones, and task distribution among consortium partners;
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sustainability strategies and long-term institutional impact of project results;
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training activities, procurement of equipment, and the establishment of PhD virtual centres;
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communication, dissemination, and Erasmus+ visibility requirements.
Interactive sessions and discussions allowed partners to align expectations, clarify responsibilities, and agree on next steps for effective project implementation.
The D-TIDE-KG project fully aligns with Erasmus+ horizontal and thematic priorities, including digital transformation, inclusiveness, quality enhancement in higher education, and capacity building. Its results are expected to contribute to the development of a modern, inclusive, and internationally connected doctoral education system in the Kyrgyz Republic, benefiting higher education institutions, academic staff, and future PhD candidates.
Agenda: kick-off meeting agenda
