Higher Education for Central Asia Food Systems and Standards

Food production and processing are amongst the major economic areas in Central Asia (CA). To compete on international food markets, national food production and processing systems must observe and apply internationally recognized standards. Currently only few universities in CA have competences and capacities to introduce and maintain standards compulsory for food export. One of the main challenges is the availibility of professionals working on regular basis as technologists in companies who have competences necessary for introduction and maintenance of standards. This challenge was recognized and proposed by Tajikistan (TJ) and Kyrgyztan (KGZ) small and medium enterprises, represented in the project by two Business Intermediary Associations and Hilfswerk International. Involved TJ and KGZ universities have responded to this need and are ready to upgrade existing higher education programs with content responding to needs of economic stakeholders. In order to achieve the aim of developping study content, integrating it and ensuring its sustainability in a long term perpective, EU universities are invited to provide necessary compentencies and to support CA universities in obtaining necessary capacities. Therefore, 9 study programs in 4 CA universities (5 in TJ, 4 in KGZ) will be modernized.

The overall objective is to support the modernization of higher education for implementation of internationally recognized food production and processing safety systems and standards in TK and KGZ, thus increasing food export potential of small and medium enterprises.

The aims are

• to enhance relevance of higher education to needs of food production and processing industries of TJ and KGZ
• to increase capacity of higher education institutions in TJ and KGZ
• to enhance networking among higher education institutions and food production and processing industries in TJ and KGZ

• Elaboration of study modules
• Modernization of study programs
• Increasing teachers’ professional competencies through trainings
• Elaboration of e-learning tools
• Training of students
• Acquisition of 56 devices and 360 books
• Organization of networking events with participation of target groups and stakeholders for EU partners to bring the most contemporary knowledge to CA universities

• 4 CA universities (Khujand Polytechnic Institute of Tajik Polytechnic University (KPITTU), Tajik Agrarian University (TAU), Kyrgyz State Technical University (KSTU), Kyrgyz Economic University (KEU))
• At least 20 teachers of involved universities
• Students of involved universities
• 3 associations which promote the modernization of higher education content for their members: TJ & KGZ food production and processing companies
• About 300.000 food production companies in TJ & KGZ
• About 900 food processing companies in TJ & KGZ