The Development of financial autonomy of universities in Kyrgyzstan (DEFA)
Implement a reform of the financial management systems of Kyrgyzstan universities that favors greater university autonomy, competitiveness and innovation.

Context
Kyrgyzstan is carrying out higher education reforms geared at complying with the European standards in higher education management. Particular emphasis is placed on the adaptation of the Bologna process and European quality standards in higher education. At present, the transition to three-cycle education has been completed. A national qualification framework has been developed and approved. However, reforms of the universities’ management system so far have not kept pace. In particular, financial management systems are not adequately promoting university autonomy which is a precondition to cultivate innovative and competitive universities. The development of alternative management tools to the old management models increasingly requires the expansion of autonomy in the activities of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). The aspect of financial independence occupies a prominent place in the system of autonomy of the university. This project is devoted to piloting and expanding new systems of university self-governance and increasing financial autonomy. By means of studying the European partners’ experience with expanding their institutional and financial autonomy, a model for university financial autonomy in Kyrgyzstan will be developed, piloted and evaluated. The project plans are to perform a needs analysis, develop an implementation strategy, develop a model of university financial autonomy, develop proposals for revision of legal regulations in close cooperation with the authorities in charge, and pilot training activities for staff from universities and ministries representatives. The project will study further prospects for increasing the financial, economic independence of universities in Kyrgyzstan, clarify the current, and projected limits of the powers of universities in the paradigm of developed and legally established model of autonomy, project will identify effective solutions to the complex process of financial and economic autonomy.

Objectives
Increase the capacities of HEIs and responsible ministries to modernize the HE system, especially in terms of governance and funding, by supporting the definition, implementation and monitoring the reform processes;
Increase the autonomy of the financial and economic activities of HEIs in the context of economic and labor market globalization, climate and demographic changes;
Improve the quality of higher education in the Kyrgyz Republic and increase its relevance for the labor market and society, as well as the visibility and competitiveness of universities’ research activities.

Activities
Analysis of the experience of European universities;
Strategy for the Development of the Financial Autonomy of Universities of a Roadmap for Financial Autonomy and Model of university financial autonomy;
Development of draft regulations for the financial autonomy of universities;
Training needs analysis of partner universities administration, policymakers, accountants and teaching staff;
Study visits in EU partner universities;
Establishment of Skills Development Centre on HEI Autonomy;
Training on manuals/instructions development;
Train the Trainers for Heads of departments, administration of HEIs (deans, vice-rectors, accountants) and for representatives of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education and Science and Ministry of Finance, study tours to EU partner universities;
Extension trainings for universities;
Seminars and training workshops for Kyrgyz stakeholders from universities, the state authorities;
Development of the Model Implementation Guide;
Development of a General Exploitation Plan;
Plan for financial autonomy at each target university;
Piloting the model of financial autonomy and risk assessment in the implementation of the model.

Resources
Report on the results of the analysis of the situation on financial autonomy of the universities of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Strategy and Roadmap for Financial Autonomy of Universities of the Kyrgyz Republic;
Draft of Model for the financial autonomy of universities and legal and regulatory acts;
Report on training need analysis;
Report on analysis of study visit;
Skills Development Centre on HEI Autonomy;
Model Implementation Guide;
General Exploitation Plan.

Impact
Partner universities will increase their knowledge and competences in financial management;
Training manuals on financial management developed as part of the project;
A Model of university financial autonomy;
A Roadmap for financial autonomy;
1 study visit of universities from the Kyrgyz Republic in EU universities;
Piloting of the model of university autonomy;
1 Skills Development Centre of HEI autonomy;
1 Model implementation guide agreed by the Ministry of Education and Science and approved by the Ministry of Finance.

Partners
KSTU – Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov (Kyrgyzstan, Coordinator),
DA MFA KR – Uchrezhdeniye Diplomaticheskaya Akademiya Ministerstva Inostrannykh Del Kyrgyzskov Respubliki Imeni Kazy Dykambayevicha Dikambayeva (Kyrgyzstan),
IUK – International University of Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan),
IUK – Issykkul State University Named After K.Tynystanov (Kyrgyzstan),
OshSU – Osh State University (Kyrgyzstan),
TalSU – Talas Mamlekettik Universiteti (Kyrgyzstan),
NSU – S. Naamatov Naryn State University (Kyrgyzstan),
AU – Adam University (Kyrgyzstan),
ISM – International School of Medicine Institution (Kyrgyzstan),
AIU – Ataturk-Alatoo International University (Kyrgyzstan),
AVUZ – Association of legal entities “Association of Universities of the Kyrgyz Republic” (Kyrgyzstan, Partner associato)
MES KR – Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan, associate partner)
OVGU – Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet Magdeburg (Germany)
CESIE (Italy),
UNIFI – Universita Degli Studi Di Firenze (Italy).

Building Educational and Research Capacities in Nutrition and Dietetics in Central Asia (BERNICA)
Abstract

The BERNICA project is aimed at fostering education and research capacities of the Central Asian region in the promotion of healthy nutritional habits in order to improve the health of the population. Ten Central Asian medical universities with the support of two European Universities will build local expertise in the development and running of innovative curricula in Nutrition & Dietetics in line with Bologna principles and ENQA standards through a series of training sessions. All Partner Countries’ universities will develop different future-oriented courses/modules with innovative learning scenarios targeted for the various auditorium – undergraduate, graduate students, working medical doctors, and nurses. European partners will share their knowledge and good practice with the purpose to Increase research and innovation capacities of target universities in this field. The fulfillment of the project activities will lead to fostering regional and international networks through joint initiatives, and sharing of good practices in education, research, and practice in Nutrition & Dietetics.

Activity
No activity available

Keywords:
Nutrition, Dietetics, Course development, Innovative learning scenario, Digital apps

Participants
INTERNATIONAL HIGHER SCHOOL OF MEDICINE INSTITUTION – IHSM(935058758) – COORDINATOR
FH JOANNEUM GESELLSCHAFT MBH – (999489456) – BENEFICIARY
OSH STATE UNIVERSITY – (951362712) – BENEFICIARY
KARAGANDA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY – KMU(895399435) – BENEFICIARY
ASFENDIYAROV KAZAKH NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY NON COMMERCIAL JOINT STOCK COMPANY – (903228984) – BENEFICIARY
THE STATE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION KHATLON STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY – (915191412) – BENEFICIARY
BUKHARA STATE MEDICAL INSTITUTE – (933000030) – BENEFICIARY
THE STATE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION -AVICENNA TAJIK STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY – AVICENNA TAJIK STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY(934921988) – BENEFICIARY
TASHKENT MEDICAL ACADEMY – TOSHKENT TIBBIYOT AKADEMIYASI(933759928) – BENEFICIARY
ISTANBUL MEDIPOL UNIVERSITESI – IMU(967774433) – BENEFICIARY

Strengthening Higher Education in the Water Sector for Climate Resilience and Security in Central Asia (HWCA)

Abstract:
The Green Deal of the European Union stems from the realization that climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Climate change hits the water sector of Central Asia particularly hard: per capita water availability may reach water scarcity levels of less than 1,000 m³ per person by 2040. A better managed water sector could play a crucial role in the sustainable and green recovery of the region. It could provide a solid basis for economic growth, prosperity and the reduction of social, economic and environmental inequalities. Building human capacity is the first, indispensable step towards achieving economic and environmental sustainability of the water sector.A comprehensive review of water-related academic and research capacity in Central Asia, prepared in 2019 by the World Bank with support by the European Union underlined the need for increasing the quality of curricula content, faculty members, research, innovation and international cooperation. In the framework of the project 5 HEIs from the EU and 11 from Central Asia will cooperate to increase the relevance, quality and responsiveness of MA/MSc curricula on water governance and water diplomacy offered by the latter. Teaching staff of Central Asian universities will receive training in the new curricula. The new programmes, inspired by European best practices and adapted to regional conditions and requirements will help train a new generation of experts, prepared to tackle the challenges faced by the water sector. Increasedmobility and the development of a regional programme for continuous training and research support will guarantee sustainability of results. The new, modernized courses would increase the employability of and open up attractive career opportunities for graduates.

Position Proposer Name Country
1 BUDAPESTI CORVINUS EGYETEM HU
2 STICHTING IHE DELFT INSTITUTE FOR WATER EDUCATION NL
3 UNIVERSITA’ DEGLI STUDI DI BERGAMO IT
4 UNIVERSITE DE REIMS CHAMPAGNE-ARDENNE FR
5 Deutsch-Kasachische Universität KZ
6 ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE PRESIDETHE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN KZ
7 SEIFULLIN KAZAKH AGRO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY KZ
8 M.KH. DULATY TARAZ STATE UNIVERSITY KZ
9 UCHREZHDENIYE DIPLOMATICHESKAYA AKADEMIYA MINISTEINOSTRANNYKH DEL KYRGYZSKOV RESPUBLIKI IMENI KAZY DYKAMBAYEVICHA DIKAMBAYEVA KG
10 INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION KYRGYZ NATIONALAGRARIAN UNIVERSITY NAMED AFTER K.I. SKRYABIN KG
11 ACADEMY OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE PRESIDEREPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN TJ
12 TAJIK AGRARIAN UNIVERSITY NAMED AFTER SHIRINSHOHSHOHTEMUR TJ
13 TURKMEN OBA HOJALYK INSTITUTY TM
14 MAGTYMGULY ADYNDAKY TURKMEN DOWLETUNIWERSITETI TM
15 JAHON IQTISODIYOTI VA DIPLOMATIYA UNIVERSITETI UZ
16 TOSHKENT IRRIGASIYA VA QISHLOQ XO JALIGINIMEXANIZATSIYALASH MUHANDISLARI INSTITUTI UZ
17 Academy of State Service under the President of Turkmenistan TM