Section outline

    • The study visit of representatives of Tajikistan’s and Uzbekistan’s partner universities to Latvia was organised from June 28 to July 5, 2024. In addition to the five Central Asia universities staff, representatives of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan and Slovak University of Agriculture took part in the visit. The group was welcomed by the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), a lead partner of the project.
       
      On June 28, the group met Irina Pilvere, the former LBTU rector till 30 June, and Irina Arhipova, who took over as rector on July 1. The presence of the two top level managers provides confidence in the continuation of the ongoing cooperation initiatives.
       
      On 29 June the group visited the food processing enterprise "Kelmeni". The owners presented the company's activities in the direction of agricultural development, flour production and bakery, the capacity of equipment and field work accessories. They also shared information about the rye bread baking, where LBTU students acquire food processing experience. The group had an opportunity to acquaint with rye bread baking process and participate in it. The same day the group met with managers of the beverage company "Milmani", who studied at the open university. Businessmen highlighted process, challenges and benefits to be considered by universities developing the open university. At the end of the day the group visited the Deer Park, which is specialising in deer breeding, providing benefits for diverse sectors of the economy -husbandry, food processing, and tourism.
       
      On July 1 the delegation visited the Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science. The essence of the concept of the Open University, the issues of establishing a system of higher and professional and continuous education were discussed. Baiba Baskere, a head of the Vocational and Continuing Education Department, presented Latvia’s higher education system, particularly issues of accreditation, development of education standards, educational programs and professional exams. The same day the group visited the Latvian Employers' Confederation. Kaspars Gorkss, the general director, and Liene Voronenko, the national coordinator of the Council of sectoral experts, provided information and shared experience on education opportunities, provided by the universities, for increase the human resources potential for the benefit of Latvia’s economy and its sectors.
       
      On July 2 the group attended the LBTU, where had training, held by Ilvita Svane, the head of the Lifelong Education Centre, and Zane Zeltina, the coordinator of the Open University activities. They introduced to the work of the open university at the LBTU, admission of external learners, organisation of a process, and quality assurance procedures and tools. The group visited the Faculty of Food Technology of the LBTU, and got acquainted with the food technology and innovation research activities and curricula.
       
      On July 3, the group had training, provided by the LBTU partner - Riga Technical University (RTU), Participants listened to Ugis Citskovskis the vice-rector for the educational process and quality management, and Zane Viskere, the head of the continuing education department. They provided introduction to the Open University work at the RTU. Particularly with regulations, documentation, quality assurance and other aspects.
      On July 4, Andris Balodis, an expert in the development of new institutional processes at the RTU, provided training in issues, supportive to partners in development and adoption of new study format. He introduced the group on the forms of virtual (online) education, communication to the different target groups, and ways to attract external learners to the university.
       
      It should be noted that the rich experience of both universities in development and provision of lifelong education opportunities, was demonstrated to the participants. Diverse educational and informative materials were provided by hosting institutions to Central Asia partners for the further activities.
      The management and coordination meeting was held at conclusion regarding follow up and next activities. The project's official website was presented.
       
      Central Asia partners would like to express gratitude to the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies for the support and hospitality, starting from visa submission process till farewell at the airport. Special thank you to the Embassy of Latvia in Uzbekistan, which was very supportive in visa issue.
      The consortium of seven full partners and six associated partners are implementing the EU Erasmus+ Programme co-funded project “Open Food Innovation University” (OFINU) since 1 February 2024. More information about the project should be found: https://ofinu.eu/
      Study visit
    • On May 29, the Technological University of Tajikistan hosted regular periodic competitions “Young Inventors”, “Best Innovative Projects of Students” and an exhibition of products and a job fair for enterprises for graduates, which are traditionally held at the university 2-3 times a year. At this event, the OFINU project working group presented promotional materials for the project containing goals and objectives and the main stages of its implementation. A large number of representatives of state and foreign companies, organizations and departments, as well as graduates and students took part in these events, and also visited the corner of the OFINU project. It should be noted that the number of visitors to the exhibition corner of the project was about 400 people. Members of the project working group took turns presenting detailed information about the goals, objectives and ideas of the project and explained its importance for the higher education system in modern conditions. Among the official guests who visited this corner were representatives of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, the Ministry of Education and Science,, Government of the Dushanbe city, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, as well as other organizations and departments, who, accompanied by the rector of the University Rahmonzoda Zoir Faizali, received from the lips of those presenting the project more complete information about the project.

      Presentation

    • Two day Kick-off meeting of OFINU ERASMUS+ project in TUT, Dushanbe 06-07.06.2024. Coordinator of the project Irina Kulitane made presentations about all tasks of Work Packages WP of the project.  All partners were informed about responsibilities and main goals of the project.

      Kick-off

    • Starting from February 1, 2024, the Khatlon Entrepreneurs' Association as an associate partner will participate in the implementation of the project “Open Food Innovation University – OFINU”, funded by the European Union Erasmus+ Programme.
      The consortium is composed of the Technological University of Tajikistan, Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovative Management, Branch of the Technological University of Tajikistan in Isfara and two universities from Uzbekistan and two from European Union. The lead partner is Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU). The project is coordinated by LBTU Lifelong Education Centre, having ten years’ experience in the development and implementation of higher education modernisation related projects in Central Asia.
      The project aims to develop and introduce in the involved Central Asia universities a new form of studies in which teaching and learning takes place in a modular format and in which together with full-time students participate external learners - listeners to study modules - people, having intention to acquire food processing related knowledge and/or to acquire higher education. For example, specialists in food processing industries or those who wish to become specialists. To this end, a legal basis will be created and strengthened, study modules developed, academic staff of partners trained, and the material base, needed for studies, developed.
      External learners will participate in certain modules together with full-time students, thus obtaining the credits determined for each module after completion of the training, acquiring the necessary knowledge, as well as gradually accumulating credits that allow the acquisition of a higher education diploma. This approach will enable people who have already entered the labour market to learn, increase their competitiveness in the labour market, as well as to increase the employment potential of students studying full-time programmes.
      Significant role in the project is given to the associated partners – five food processing enterprises and one business association (including in Tajikistan – Khatlon Entrepreneurs' Association, JSC "Kombinati shiri Dushanbe" and LLC “Oriyon Rustam”), who will participate in the new study modules designing process, will take part in their validation, and will delegate staff to take part in the piloting. Though associated partners have been chosen, other interested food producers are welcomed for participation.
      For more information please contact: Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovative Management, (Habibullo ABDULLOZODA, e-mail: habibullon@gmail.com);
      The OFINU project will be in implementation from February 2024 until January 2027.
      The project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.