Students across Uzbekistan have expressed interest and growing demand for modern English-language curriculum. 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, the SIT Graduate Institute partnered with Nukus State Pedagogical Institute to advance English language teaching and Curriculum Design. The emphasis of the collaboration centered around plurilingualism and multiculturalism.
During three two-hour synchronous sessions beginning in November 2020, 14 faculty and graduate students from Nukus State Pedagogical Institute and four from SIT Graduate Institute evaluated syllabi in detail. In the first quarter of 2021, the partners reviewed English-language syllabi to integrate optimal learning, communicative competence, grammar, hands-on discussion, and reflection. NSPI then posted the revised syllabi on a specially designed Canvas site. NSPI faculty learned from STI first-hand how to interact with students.
As a result of collaboration, NSPI successfully completed its re-accreditation process. Input from SIT contributed to curriculum design, which led to effective reporting and reconceptualization of English-language education offered to future teachers.
In April-June 2021, five professors from SIT Graduate Institute organized and conducted five 90-120-minute seminars for fourteen faculty members from Nukus State Pedagogical Institute. SIT continues to share resources on the Canvas site, as well as publications and research conducted in neighboring Central Asian countries. This new information will be incorporated into multiple short- and long-term courses in the department.