Program: ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CBHE -STRAND-2

Key Action: (CBHE) Collaboration in Higher Education

Key Action Type: ERASMUS-LS (ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants)

Project number: ERASMUS-EDU-2022-CBHE-STRAND-2 ERASMUS LS No. 101082976 (HWCA)

 Abbreviation: HWCA

Grant agreement type: ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant

Priority: 1-A Green Deal for Europe

Domain: D-1-1 Climate Change

Policy Area: P-1-4 Climate Change

Project Title: Strengthening Higher Education in the Water Sector to Ensure Climate Resilience and Security in Central Asia - HWCA

Project implementation period: 05/01/2023-05/01/2026

https://hwca-damfa.kg/

The project's overall goal is to support the relevance, quality, modernization, and flexibility of MSc/MSc curricula in water resources management and water diplomacy offered by universities in Central Asian countries.

Specific Goals

➢ Updating existing or developing new educational programs (EP) for universities in Central Asia to facilitate the training of a new generation of water resource management experts and water diplomats.

➢ Revised or new educational programs will represent the challenges and interests of each country and convincingly describe the benefits of innovative green approaches and regional cooperation in water resources.

➢ Inclusive and open discussion of key regional strategic issues by students at partner universities will help strengthen a culture of open democratic academic debate and civil society participation.

➢ The development of consistent, harmonized EP for universities in all five countries will facilitate student mobility between Central Asian universities and EU partner universities.

➢By integrating research and debate on regional water management into master's programs and the regional CPD and research program, Central Asian universities and EU partner universities will be able to create a broad network of research and scientific innovation.

➢ The new courses will increase employability and open up attractive career opportunities for graduates who will be able to combine work in the water sector with appointments in other public sectors such as ministries of foreign affairs, economics or the environment, in the private sector, regional organizations and institutions, work in UN specialized agencies or other international organizations and development partners. The water sector will once again attract the brightest and most motivated young people.

Main objectives of the project:

➢Development of multi-stakeholder partnerships between universities of the European Union and Central Asian countries to improve the relevance, and quality and contribute to the modernization and adaptation of higher education through the development of innovative new educational programs for master's students and/or reform and introduction of innovative elements into existing EP in two areas of specialization - water management resources and water diplomacy.

➢ Advanced training of 40 teachers and preparation of updated or new EP

➢ Development of appropriate quality assurance policies and procedures by European and international quality standards and regulations.

➢ Enabling Central Asian partners to begin the process of accreditation of new master's programs at 12 universities and begin teaching new curricula with the ability to enroll up to 500 students over two years.

➢ Establishment of a regional program of continuing professional development and research for teachers and graduates of master's programs, with the aim of ensuring sustainability.

➢ Involving participants in the regional program of continuing professional development and research in teaching updated or new EP at partner universities, including through the signing of memorandums of understanding between the program and participating universities.

Consortium

EU – Universities from program countries:

Corvinus University, Hungary- associated partner

IHE DELFT Institute for Water Education, Netherlands

Bergamo University, Italy

University de Reims Champagne - Ardenne, France

Universities from program partner countries

Kyrgyzstan

K. Dikambayev Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

K.I. Skryabin Kyrgyz National Agrarian University

Kazakhstan

Kazakh-German University, Kazakhstan

Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University

M. Kh. Dulaty Taraz Regional University

Tajikistan

Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan

Shirinshoh Shohtemur Tajik Agrarian University

Turkmenistan

Turkmen Agricultural Institute

Magtymguly Adyndaky Turkmen State University

Uzbekistan

University of World Economy and Diplomacy

Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agriculture Mechanization Engineers

The project is funded with the support of the European Commission. The contents of this publication are the responsibility of the university and do not reflect the views of the European Commission