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U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnership Program Hosts Closing Ceremony in Almaty
On January 18, 2024 American Councils for International Education in Almaty, Kazakhstan hosted a Closing Event for the University Partnerships Program’s “University Governance and Financial Management Workshops and Pilot Projects”. In 2023 six Kazakh universities worked together with seven experts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison on implementing projects in revenue generation, university administration, financing and human resources, and commercialization...
PARTNERING WITH INDUSTRY TO ENABLE WIND ENERGY
“The advantage of augmented reality (AR) is that it allows us to model the performance of wind turbines close to real-life situations and can be useful for their construction, particularly to cut down the instances of failure.” -- Dr. Malik Rakhmanov, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
The strong winds that blow across the Kazakh steppes are a ripe source...
TRAINING A NEW GENERATION OF GREEN EXPERTS
“A key element of the program was not to have one-shot intervention but to establish sustainable long run collaboration and help all these universities advance in science and education.” – Paul Takhistov, Rutgers University
With its outstanding natural resources and stark environmental issues, Kazakhstan needs a new generation of young professionals who are equipped with STEM competencies and a practical...
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING: A PEDAGOGY FOR THE FUTURE
“This project stirred a lot of interest on both sides. Lots of my colleagues at WPI became really interested in exploring further opportunities with Kazakhstan. They ask me ‘what’s coming next?’”- Oleg Pavlov
Across the West and much of the world, a pedagogical revolution has taken place. Project-based learning, or PBL, has become the gold standard for teaching in top...
DEVELOPING CAPACITY FOR A RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE
We have students enrolled to the new developed courses in STEM fields, particularly in renewable energy, environmental studies, and water conservation – Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
Kazakhstan urgently needs skilled professionals to lead the country through the challenges of the present into a renewable energy future. Until now, universities simply have not had either the content expertise or the...
SHORT COURSES IN ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION TO DEVELOP WORKFORCE CAPACITY
“My work in Kazakhstan has demonstrated to me that there are huge opportunities for science and engineering training.” – Daniel Snow, Director of Water Sciences Laboratory, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lake Bylkyldak in northeastern Kazakhstan is a poster child for the country’s environmental challenges. Lined with industrial mercury, the most toxic heavy metal in the environment, Bylkyldak illustrates the difficulty...
FROM MINING TO GREEN INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
“The project is of great importance in the direction of new academic and scientific exchanges at the level of professors and students in the field of renewable energy.” – Dr. Tamara Segeda, Dean, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, East Kazakhstan Technical University
Kazakhstan has launched a bold commitment to green energy, and it is trying to get there fast. The country’s...
BROAD IMPACT THROUGH CURRICULUM-SHARING AND HANDS-ON LEARNING
“Further collaboration with the U.S. universities will help Kazakhstani regional universities to further integrate into the world of education and science” – Dr. Jiquan Chen, Michigan State University
The drying Aral Sea in western Kazakhstan is a potent symbol of environmental devastation. Once the fourth largest sea in the world, it has been drained by decades of cotton production and...
FIGHTING AIR POLLUTANTS FOR A CLEANER AND HEALTHIER WORLD
"We always say that multi-sector is so important, but we have limited research in this area. This opportunity is very important to us."
Lyazzat Kosherbayeva, Head of Policy and Management Department at Kazakh National Medical University
The smog hovering over Almaty, Kazakhstan does not just obscure the spectacular view of the white-capped Tien Shan mountains; it infiltrates the lungs of residents....
UniCEN Internationalization and Capacity Building Workshop in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
On June 15 and 16, 2023 U.S.-Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN) offered its first capacity-building workshop in Tajikistan. The training program was intended to support Tajik universities’ internationalization efforts and improve the capacity of Tajik educators to initiate, develop, and implement international collaborative projects while fostering institutional ties and cooperation between higher education institutions (HEIs) in Tajikistan and...
Advanced Research Methodology Workshop Empowers Researchers in Central Asia
American Councils hosted a two-day Advanced Research Methodology Workshop on June 9-10 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, bringing together 40 participants from four Central Asian republics. The workshop aimed to enhance the research skills and capabilities of scholars and professionals in the region, fostering collaboration and promoting evidence-based decision-making.
Hosted by the Central Asia University Partnerships Program – UniCEN, the workshop provided...
UniCEN Offers New Capacity Building Workshops for Central Asian Universities
First on April 27 and 28 in Tashkent and then on May 1 and 2 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the U.S.-Central Asia University Partnerships Program hosted 2 new capacity building workshops for university administrators, researchers and faculty members from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The key objectives of these events were to enhance the research capacity of Central Asian faculties...
U.S.-Kazakhstan University Governance and Financial Management Workshop
On March 31 – April 1, the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships Program brought together 30 representatives of 6 Kazakhstan higher education institutions in Astana, Kazakhstan for a workshop led by University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) experts. UW-Madison shared their best practices and coached the Kazakhstan universities on university governance, financial planning, revenue generation and program administration.
Kazakhstan universities used their time with...
UniCEN Internationalization Workshop: Over 40 Central Asian University Representatives Gather in Bishkek to Explore Opportunities for Global Collaborations
On March 24-25, 2023 Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN) Internationalization Workshop brought together over 40 Central Asian university representatives from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The distinguished delegation from 5 Turkmenistan higher education institutions attending for the first time marked a significant moment in the history of the UniCEN program, reflecting the growing interest and commitment...
U.S. – Kazakhstan University Partnerships Program awards announcement
American Councils for International Education announces the awardees of the latest round of U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships Program grants to support projects between the U.S. and Kazakhstan higher education institutions.
Funded by the U.S. Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan, the projects aim to create sustainable international engagement and partnerships between U.S. and Kazakhstan institutions of higher education in the areas of curriculum...
Tajikistan-U.S. Cooperation on the Development of Entrepreneurship Skills
Entrepreneurship skills are vital for promoting innovation, business growth, and competitiveness. On October 16, 2022, Homid Hasan Hoshimzoda – the Director of the Institute of Economy and Trade of the Tajik State University of Commerce – and Saidqosim Saidosimovich Mukhtorov – Head of International Center and Global Engagement – visited Old Dominion University in Virginia, USA to learn more...
Central Asian University Partnership Program (UniCEN) hosts the Sustainability & Grant Writing Workshop for Central Asian university partners in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
On November 4-5, U.S.-Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN) hosted Sustainability & Grant Writing Workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Professor Khanjan Mehta, Vice Provost for Creative Inquiry at Lehigh University and Dr. Woden Teachout, a Leadership & Public Policy Professor at Union Institute & University facilitated the workshop. Both Dr. Teachout and Vice Provost Mehta have extensive careers in higher...
Development of an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Uzbekistan
From September 20th until 23rd Dr. Haseeb Ahmed – the Dean of the Faculty of Management at Kettering University, Michigan, USA – visited Andijan Machine-Building Institute, Uzbekistan through the UniCEN Program sponsored by American Councils for International Education.
The purpose of his visit was to discuss the progress of the UniCEN grant project between Kettering University and Andijan Machine-Building Institute,...
U.S. Embassy Tashkent and American Councils Host Harvard College Writing Program Faculty for the Central Asia Academic Writing Workshop
The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, in partnership with American Councils for International Education, invited Dr. Thomas Jehn and Dr. James Herron of the Harvard College Writing Program and Dr. Rauf Salahodjaev of the Higher Education Virtual Education Center to facilitate the Central Asia Academic Writing Workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from June 22-23th.
The Central Asia Academic Writing Workshop brought 38...
Forging Cross-Border Collaborations Across Central Asia to Advance UN Sustainable Development Goals
On June 3-4, a diverse group of leaders across academia, business, and government gathered in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan for the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN) to share models and approaches to advance United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the “Connecting Academia, International Organizations, Government Agencies and Private Sector and Sustaining Cross-Border Networks Roundtable.”
Over 75 representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,...
Virtual Exchanges in Engineering Education
Virtual exchanges offer an untapped opportunity for students in U.S. and Uzbekistan to collaborate on engineering projects. The partnership between Colorado School of Mines and Navoi Mining Institute focuses on collaborative educational capabilities for engineering education. 36 students from Navoi Mining institute were selected to participate in group assignments in an Introductory Thermodynamics course. They teamed up...
Introduction to Food Safety and Agribusiness
Purdue University professors Dr. Amanda Deering and Dr. Kevin McNamara present an introduction to food safety and agribusiness for Tajikistani higher education. The series provides an overview of Purdue’s agricultural extension approach, an introduction to higher education partnerships, and how to stimulate conversations around outreach. Each video module is translated into Russian, totaling 180 minutes.
Building a Makerspace
University of Wisconsin-Madison facilitated virtual workshops to build new makerspaces for Tashkent Chemical-Technological Institute. Through the workshops on Computer-Aided Design and Onshape 3D modeling software, viewers learn how to create their own free EDU Onshape account and conduct workshop included activities. The workshop includes an introduction to the UW-TCTI collaboration as well as background information on the...
Ecotourism MOOC for Uzbekistan
Urgench State University visited ecotourism destinations to collect video materials to enrich the launch of the first massive online open course (MOOC) focusing on tourism in Uzbekistan. Video materials about ecotourism destinations in Uzbekistan provide open-source learning to promote Uzbekistan’s tourism potential:
Akchakul lake
https://youtu.be/YBdlh0P8iJE
Amudaryo...
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Through its collaboration with Namangan Institute of Engineering and Technology (NIET) the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (UNT) created a webinar series on the role of higher education in the economy. Videos cover the following topics:
Introduction to the University of Tennessee:
https://youtu.be/DKXhAxUjia0
Sustainable funding models...
Strengthening Environmental Protection and Sustainable Resource Management
Kazakhstan’s success in implementing its long-term environmental protection strategy relies on the knowledge and skills of a new generation of scholars, policy makers, environmental engineers, and natural resource managers. Through the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships program, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and administered by American Councils for International Education, Michigan State University (MSU) and Kazakh National...
Revising Pre-Service Teacher Mathematics Course Materials
The Government of Kazakhstan supports the transition to secondary-level English-medium science and math instruction to improve workforce competitiveness. Through the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships Program, funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and administered by American Councils for International Education, Columbia University Teachers College (TC), Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) and Kokshetau State University (KSU) developed and implemented an...
Sharing Instructional Best Practices
Universities interested in improving student achievement must ensure that faculty have access to training. With the support of the U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnerships Program, administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Abai KazNPU) and California State University-Sacramento (CSU) are improving the professional qualifications and soft...
Modeling Seismic Hazards for Students and Educators
The mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan is located in an active seismic zone, underscoring the need for techniques to assess risk. Through the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN), administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, University of Oregon and American University of Central Asia...
Supporting Food Safety Education for Local Growers
Regional and international markets demand that food manufacturers produce final products that meet international quality and safety standards. Through the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN), administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Purdue University is collaborating with Tajik Agrarian University (TAU) and Tajikistan...
Advancing Human Genomics and Bioinformatics
Deeper understanding of the relationship between human genetic variation and population differences in disease distribution is a key step in informing health disparities around the world. Through the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN), administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. State Department through the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, University of California-Davis...
Building the Reputation of Agricultural Research in Uzbekistan
In a modern competitive world, the role of research in academic institutions is critical for sustainability and development. The quality of research work directly translates to the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom. Through the Central Asia University Partnerships Program (UniCEN), administered by American Councils for International Education and funded by the U.S. State Department...
Advancing Research in Plant Biotechnology in Kyrgyzstan
With a soil and climate that provides a favorable environment for horticulture, Kyrgyzstan has strong potential to become a leader in the production of high-quality fruit and vegetables. Through the Central Asia University Partnership Program (UniCEN) funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent and administered by the American Councils for International Education, University of Maryland Eastern Shore...
