Section outline

    • From 28 September to 3 October, Irina Kulitane, project coordinator, visited the Andijan Institute of Agriculture and Agro-technologies in Uzbekistan (AIAA) and the Isfara branch of the Technological University of Tajikistan (BTUTI).

      In Andijan, the coordinator presented the project’s results and impact, the recent forum, and Andijan students’ achievements at the event. Afterwards, she met with academic staff involved in the project, visited the teaching laboratory equipped through the project, and was acquainted with student papers developed and defended using the new facilities. She reviewed project documentation with local coordinators Bahodirjon Nosirov and Muhammad Zaynobiddinov. 

      A meeting with Mariya Statnikova, chief technologist at associated partner “Navigul”, addressed food companies’ knowledge and skills needs and follow-up actions, providing industry insights for the Sustainability Plan.

      In Isfara, the coordinator met with students involved in piloting, presented a diploma and prize to competition winner Madina Abubakrova in the presence of fellow students, and led a discussion. She subsequently met with Mr. Hoshimjon Abdulloev, director of BTUTI, to discuss project implementation. Together with local coordinators Zokirhoja Soliev and Sirojiddin Boboev, she reviewed project documentation and discussed preparation of the final report.

      A visit was held to the enterprise "Mevai Tilloi", where Khayrullo Rizoev demonstrated developments supported by the OFINU project and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia-funded project learning opportunities: a new supermarket, a bakery where customers can observe bread production, and a café. Discussions addressed the impact and further expansion of university–business cooperation.

      Beyond the formal programme, the coordinator and local partners visited the Isfara Children's Art School. Subsequent discussions explored exhibiting students’ creative work at BTUTI and the new supermarket, encouraging further local initiatives.

      The visit confirmed progress in embedding project results within partner institutions for long-term use.