Project Title

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

Project number°

101082976 -  HWCA – ERASMUS – EDU – 2022 - CBHE

Years of activity

2023-2025

Project website

https://hwca-damfa.kg/

Partnership

Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic(Kyrgyzstan)

IHE Delft Institute for Water Education(Netherland)

University of Bergamo (Italy)

University of Reims, Champagne-Ardenne (France)

Kazakh-German University(Kazakhstan)

Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan(Kazakhstan)

Kazakh Agrotechnical University(Kazakhstan)

Taraz Regional University(Kazakhstan)

Kyrgyz National Agrarian University(Kyrgyzstan)

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

Tajik Agrarian University named after Shirinshoh Shohtemur(Tajikistan)

Turkmen Agricultural Institute(Turkmenistan)

Turkmen State University(Turkmenistan)

University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan)

"Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers" National Research University  (Uzbekistan)

Project description and main objectives

The project's overall objective is to support the relevance, quality, modernization, and responsiveness of MA/MSc curricula on water governance and water diplomacy offered by HEIs of Central Asian countries.

The project will help partner universities to establish conditions for the training of a new generation of managers and decision-makers for the water sector of Central Asia, including water diplomats, who can help resolve problems accumulated in the last three decades and effectively address new challenges, in particular climate change and water stress, through fostering cross-disciplinary, cross-sector and cross-country dialogues. The project will build capacities needed to promote and implement integrated water resources management and adaptive water governance, strengthen regional cooperation, and achieve more effective mobilization and utilization of private investment and international assistance. Experts participating in the project will update and introduce innovative elements in existing curricula or create new innovative curricula for MA/MSc programmes, inspired by European best practices and adapted to regional conditions and requirements. The project will allow Central Asian universities to develop high-quality programs to train a new generation of managers and decision makers for the water sector with the support of EU partner universities, local and international organizations, and stakeholders.

Targeted beneficiaries

The target beneficiaries of the ERASMUS+ project “Strengthening Higher Education in Water for Climate Resilience and Security in Central Asia” are:

Students and graduates: TIIAME-NRU students will gain up-to-date knowledge and skills needed to address Central Asian water challenges through the updated MSc/MSc Water Management and Diplomacy programmes. Graduates can participate in continuous professional development and research activities offered within the project.

Academic and research staff: TIIAME-NRU professors and researchers will have the opportunity to improve their qualifications and take part in modernized educational practices. They will learn about best practices through collaboration with partners in Europe and Central Asia, improved teaching methods and research opportunities.

Institutional capacity: The project aims to enhance the overall quality of education and research capacity of TIIAME-NRU by developing innovative curricula and promoting the development of an international academic network. This will enhance the institution’s reputation in the field of water-related research.

Wider Academic Community: Through a network including EU and Central Asian institutions, TIIAME-NRU contributes to and benefits from shared resources, research collaboration and knowledge sharing, strengthening the capacity of the regional academic community to address water governance and diplomacy issues effectively.

Policymakers and Water Managers: As TIIAME-NRU graduates enter the workforce, they will use the latest water management concepts and methods, which will directly impact policy and practice at the local, national, and regional levels.

Local and Regional Economy: In-depth training in water governance and diplomacy prepares students to manage water resources more effectively, contribute to sustainable economic development in the region, and improve cooperation on transboundary water issues.