GOALS

The main goals of the project are introduction of new International MSc program on "Environment and Water Resources Management" and development of regional co-operation in this subject in the Central Asian countries situated within the Amu-Darya River basin. These goals are consistent with higher education systems reform in Central Asian countries, following changes in legal and regulatory framework for education. Establishing links between participating universities and institutions will integrate academic community and will lead to more effective transfer of the teaching methods and knowledge from EU universities and international research organizations.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the project are planned to be achieved by development of a new MSc curriculum using regional partners experience and EU partners and IWMI’s advanced knowledge. International Master School head office (IMS) will be created in TIIA (Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Amelioration). Relevant capacity building activities are foreseen to support the newly established School: staff mobility, short intensive courses, teaching laboratories and library resources upgrading as well as printing office establishment. Two groups of 10 students will start the new MSc program (in the second and third year of project implementation) with the first group to graduate after 2 years of studies in TIIA receiving joint diploma of 4 partner universities.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Two international conferences on Environment and Water Resources Management issues will be organized in the second and third year of the project, to stimulate the academic and professional dialogue of regional partners. The materials from these conferences will be published by UNESCO and available on EWASIA Web site. Also joint thesis research projects will support regional co-operation. The results of EWASIA project will be disseminated by distribution of the teaching materials of MSc program, open dissemination seminars at the end of each year of the project implementation, creation of Internet Home Page and publication and distribution of dissemination leaflets. The sustainability of the project results will be ensured by incorporating new developed MSc courses into partner universities study programs. Also, partner universities will cover the costs of teaching laboratories maintenance and further development.