News

Kick-off meeting of the Erasmus+ project “MIETC”

March 2020

Due to the situation generated by COVID-19, the Kick-off meeting of the MIETC project, that was planned to take place in Santiago de Compostela on the 12 th  and 13 th  of March, had to be cancelled and was carried out online. The overall aim of the Partnership is to develop the academic and management capacity of partner countries in order to run up-to date master program in Industrial Economics that will contribute to regional development and socio-economic situation of industrial regions. This will involve an analysis of the markets needs and current teaching capabilities of partners in order to develop the curriculum, the syllabuses and the content according to the regional context while engaging intensively private companies and public institutions. At the same time, the project will try to facilitate the internationalization of HEIs, local business and students and to address effectively gender, inclusiveness and sustainability issues. The main goal of this first meeting was to ensure good coordination of the partners’ activities. The Partners discussed and developed the work plan and defined the strategies to implement different aspects of the project including dissemination, quality assurance and sustainability. It was also a good occasion to talk over the financial and administrative
management. MIETC is co-financed by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union and will run from
January 2020 to January 2023. In a first stage the main focus will be to develop a comprehensive needs and competence analysis through a series of surveys and workshops with stakeholders using Delphi
methodology.

The MIETC Consortium organizes online workshops with experts in Intustrial Entreprenuership in Central Asia

July 2020

The Erasmus+ project “MIETC” is continuing its implementation despite the current situation with COVID-19. In order to develop a master program in Industrial Entrepreneurship in Central Asia that is aligned with the needs of the students and the market, the Partnership is carrying out a detailed data-driven analysis using Delphi methodology. The results of the analysis will provide useful insights about the knowledge and skills that local markets lack. It will lead a better adaptation of the curriculum to the needs of the employers and the market in general. It will also shine light on how the program should be delivered, considering growing digitalization trends and how information is consumed by students. The analysis includes a series of surveys and workshops with stakeholders, that were planned to take place in the different CA cities and that had to be adapted to an online format due to COVID-19. With the aim to present the results of the quantitative analysis to the relevant stakeholder and get their involvement for the survey phase, three online workshops have been held: one for Turkmenistan on May 28th and two for Kazakhstan on June 26th (for Karaganda and Ust Kamenogorsk) with the participation of local experts, HEIs and students.

The Erasmus+ project “MIETC” approves the curriculum for a master program in industrial entrepreneurship

May 2021

The Erasmus+ MIETC project, coordinated by the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela and with the participation of institutions from Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, is coming to its 16th month.
The Consortium has finalized the implementation of Work Package 2, that entailed (among other things) an in-depth analysis of market needs and competences, involving key players and using Delphi methodology. This WP also included an analysis of international master programs.
Based on the outcomes of WP2, the Partners developed an outline of the curriculum for the new Master program, that was unanimously approved in an online meeting of the Academic Board of the project that took place on April 21st, 2021. The different teams are currently working on the development of the syllabuses and content materials and also taking steps towards the accreditation and certification of the Master program.
Meanwhile, teachers from the Tajik, Turkmen and Kazakh universities are enrolled in a comprehensive English language training to improve their proficiency and allow the use of English as a language of instruction. Further trainings for CA staff are planned on Master subjects (management, data usage, business positioning and entrepreneurship) and on the establishment of Entrepreneur Centers.

Workshops with stakeholder in Central Asia

December 2021

In the frame of the Erasmus+ project MIETC, the Partnership organized a series of workshops in Karaganda (22nd-23rd of November 2021), Ust-Kamenogorsk (25th-26th of November 2021), Dushanbe (29th-30th of November 2021) and Ashgabat (17th of December 2021). The events aimed to present the objectives of the project and the new Master program (modules, teaching approach, etc.) to local stakeholders as well as to deepen participants’ knowledge and understanding on the role of providing Central Asian teachings with skills and competences on industrial entrepreneurship that are aligned to the needs of labor market.
The main objective of the workshops was to ensure Stakeholders’ engagement in the project, to discuss possible approaches for cooperation, joint projects, internship, etc.
Its implementation laid the foundation for the involvement of employers in the activities of the Universities and the creation of educational programs. The new Master will also increase employment opportunities, incite female labour participation and encourage companies to provide trainings. The events brought together over 40 stakeholders from the public sector, manufacturing, mining, food, service sectors, etc. who shared their ideas and committed to future collaboration to improve project outcomes. Topical issues were raised and important initiatives were put forward. We are happy to share with you some photos and video of the events held in partner countries.

The University of Santiago de Compostela hosts a training for Central Asian universities

February 2022

In the framework of MIETC project, the University of Santiago de Compostela and AYeconomics Research Centre hosted trainings on the subjects of a new Master program about Industrial Entrepreneurship that will run in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan in the next academic year.
The objective is to build the capacity and knowledge of Central Asian teachers and HEIs created for Central Asia, who will be trained in 12 subjects covering 4 thematic priorities (Data Usage, Management, Business positioning and Entrepreneurship). The sessions organized in Santiago partially covered the subjects Innovation Management, Supply Chain and Operations Management, International Markets and Marketing, Production Planning and Control, Research Methods and Data Analysis, Business Creation, Financial Analysis and Sustainable Entrepreneurship.
Despite all the difficulties associated with the pandemic, the tightening of the Visa applications, and political unrest in Kazakhstan, more than 20 participants from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan were able to take part in-person while partners from Turkmenistan took part entirely online.
Further trainings will be organized online in February, March and April and additional face-to-face sessions will take place in May 2022.

The University of Santiago de Compostela hosts the 2nd Management Meeting of the Erasmus+ project MIETC

February 2022

On the 3rd and 4th of February, the University of Santiago de Compostela and AYeconomics hosted the 2nd Management Meeting of the Erasmus+ project MIETC in Santiago de Compostela. The event was originally planned to take place in Naples but due to the additional entry restrictions implemented in Italy (mandatory quarantine) the Consortium decided to move the event to Spain.
Partners discussed the implementation of further trainings sessions on Master subjects (that will take place both online and in person), the status of the accreditation process in each country, the upcoming visits to CA Universities to promote the new Master program, the outcomes of the English Language training, the planning for the Establishment of Entrepreneur Centres as well as financial and administrative issues and the dissemination of the project to all target groups. At the end of the meeting the updated action plan was presented.
Representatives from Kazakh and Tajik partners were able to participate in-person while Partners from Turkmenistan, Italy and Slovenia participated entirely online.

Trainings on Master Subjects and 2nd part of the Management Meeting

May 2022

Given the myriad problems that hampered the achievement of the objectives of the training, the consortium decided to organize additional training sessions, both online and in person.
Between February and April of 2022, the recordings from the training sessions carried out in January/February were made available to CA Partners and additional online training sessions were offered as well as individual tutorship (upon request).
The Consortium also decided to organise a 2nd part of the trainings in Santiago de Compostela from the 3rd to the 11th of May. This location was chosen again due to the less strict entry restrictions, the ease of obtaining VISAs and the cost of the travel and accommodation.
The staff from USC, AYeconomics and UNF provided training sessions on the following subjects:

  • International Markets and Marketing
  • Production Planning and Control
  • Financial Analysis
  • Business Creation
  • Location of Production Facilities
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Sustainable Entrepreneurship
  • Research Methods and Data Analysis
  • Supply Chain and Operations Management

Immediately after the training, the Consortium held part 2 of the 2nd Management Meeting with the aim to try to finalize the certification and accreditation process in all Central Asian countries, to plan the 1st Promotion Visit and to discuss the establishment of the Entrepreneur Centres.

1st Promotion Visit of the Master Program

May and June2022

Central Asian Partner organized the 1st Promotion visit of the Master Program, with participation from EU Partners in May and June of 2022. Local students, university staff and regional stakeholders were invited to participate. The events were organized in Karaganda 30th to the 31st of May 2022, in Ust-Kamenogorsk from the 3rd to 4th of June of 2022, in Dushanbe from the 6th to the 7th of May to promote the Master and the first enrolment call in 3 of the Central Asian Universities.
The Partners presented the structure of the Master, the subjects and the content, as well as the teaching methodologies that will be used. Among other things, the agenda included sessions using a World Cafe methodology, that is based on group conversation to discuss questions and ideas to generate agreements and/or paths of action, in a welcoming and friendly environment, similar to the one in a cafeteria.

University of Naples Federico II hosts the 3rd Management meeting and Trainings on Master subject

March 2023

In light of the considerable difficulties encountered in allowing all teachers from Central Asian universities to participate in the training courses, it was decided to organise new sessions at the 3rd management meeting at the University of Naples Federico II.

2nd Promotion Visit

May 2023

The 2nd Promotion visit was organised in all 3 countries in 2023: at KarUK on the 11 and 12 of May, at EKTU on the 15th of May, at TSUC on the 18th of May, at TUT on the 19th of May, at TSIEM on the 19th of May and at TSIF on the 20th of May.

Launch of the Master program in the 6 Central Asian HEIs 

October 2023

The Consortium is pleased to announce that the Master program developed in the frame of the MIETC project has been approved in all the participating Central Asian universities and will run in the academic year 2023-24:

  • D.Serikbayev East Kazakhstan State Technical University
  • Turkmen State Institute of Economics And Management
  • Turkmen State Institute of Finance
  • Karaganda Economic University Kazpotrebsoyuz
  • Technological University of Tajikistan
  • Tajik State University of Commerce

The Consortium is pleased to announce that the Master program developed in the frame of the MIETC project has been approved in all the participating Central Asian universities and will run in the academic year 2023-24: