ACTIVE REPORT CENTRAL ASIA

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ACTIVE REPORT

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Content

ACTIVE REPORT ... 1

CENTRAL ASIA ... 1

1 METHODOLOGY ... 4

2 THE SITUATION OF THE HIGH EDUCATION SYSTEM IN CENTRAL ASIA ... 6

2.1 THE HIGH EDUCATION STRUCTURE IN THE REGION ... 8

2.2 THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN KAZAKHSTAN ... 11

2.3 THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC ... 15

2.4 THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN UZBEKISTAN ... 20

2.5 THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IN TAJIKISTAN ... 24

2.6 ICT SITUATION IN THE REGION ... 27

2.7 EXISTING EUROPEAN MOBILITY SCHEMAS IN THE REGION ... 31

Tempus ... 31

Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window ... 31

CAREN ... 34

3 ANALYSIS OF THE OFFER ... 35

3.1 DURATION OF POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS ... 35 3.2 STUDY FIELDS ... 36 3.3 LANGUAGE ... 38 3.4 DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMS ... 41 Kyrgyzstan ... 41 Kazakhstan... 46

3.5 JOINT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS ... 56

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4.1 KAZAKHSTAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, ECONOMICS AND STRATEGIC RESEARCH (KIMEP) ... 59

4.2 INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF KYRGYZSTAN ... 60

4.3 KYRGYZ STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (KSTU) ... 62

5 CONCLUSIONS ... 64

6 ANNEXES ... 66

6.1 LIST OF RESEARCHED UNIVERSITIES ... 68

6.2 LIST OF UNIVERSITIES WITH INFORMATION ABOUT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN THEIR WEBSITES: ... 72

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Methodology

The main aim of this report is to identify possibilities for virtual mobility in postgraduate programs between European and partner Universities in Central Asia. For that, it was necessary to identify the offer of Masters and postgraduate courses in Central Asia High Education Institutions and, amongst them, the ones with distance learning methodologies.

With that purpose, a protocol (Annex 6.3.) was developed in order to retrieve all the useful information about distance learning courses and signed by all the partner Universities in Madrid on February 2009. This questionnaire was aimed at the coordinators of the Masters and wills to obtain relevant data about the academic and administrative structure of these courses. This document was linked in the Net Active website in order to be filled by the Universities themselves. A comparative analysis of the filled protocols was planned to be done. This protocol includes the following fields: - academic quality - language use and foreign students welcome policy - admittance and mobility requirements - quality and evaluation criteria

An email was sent to the addresses found in the websites and to contact staff containing information regarding the project and its aims and attaching the relevant file. In most cases, it did not provide positive results. Only 18 answers are valid.

An exhaustive list of all the Universities in the region was done (Annex 6.1.) with websites, contact data and study fields offered. The Kyrgyz and Kazakh Republics were appointed as the ones to be more deeply

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investigated as the options to establish partnerships and develop mobility appeared to be highest.

Then, a thorough research was done of 38 Universities in Kyrgyzstan y 46 in Kazakhstan. Only 31 had valid information on their websites about postgraduate programs (Annex 6.2.).

Just a few of the websites had an English version, so a specialised translator for web pages was used in order to be able to access the necessary information. Nevertheless, we encountered restrictions in several web pages and it was not possible to retrieve any useful information from them. It is worth pointing out that, due to the low response to the questionnaire and scarce information found in the websites, it was not possible to find all the data required. However, the information retrieved is sufficient to have an adequate view of the postgraduate programs in these countries and the potential opportunities to develop virtual mobility.

Reports from international institutions as the European Commission, the World Bank and UNESCO have proved to be very helpful when outlining a general view about the situation of tertiary education in Central Asia.

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The situation of the high education system in central Asia

Central Asia is the region formed by Kazakhstan (KZ), Kyrgyzstan (KG), Uzbekistan (UZ), Tajikistan (TJ) and Turkmenistan.

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The legacy from the former Soviet Union is a strong one. Teaching is still carried out in Russian and the national language, and partnerships with Russian universities are the most common

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ones. Nevertheless, since independence, the Central Asian Republics have evolved to a democratic society (except for Turkmenistan) and the High Education System has experience a radical reform. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan there has been openness towards the international community, including an interest in the Bologna process. The introduction of the “Bachelor + Master” structure has been introduced in the region, except for Turkmenistan, and some pilot projects are being carried out to introduce the ECTS schema in the High Education systems.

General Features of Educational Development in Central Asia2

Kaz

akh R.

Kyrgyz R. Tajikistan Turkist

an

Uzbe

kist

an

Educational system evolved from Soviet model      Reforms based on law; uneven implementation of

plans    

Extension of complete secondary ed. to 11 years    

Changes in vocational secondary sector   

National higher ed. admission exams introduced    Soviet ideology replaced with national subjects      National language used in documentation     

Internationalization   

2

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Introduction of “bachelor + master” structure    

Interest in Bologna process   

Private education allowed    

Foreign institutions allowed    

Quality assurance in 3-stage process:

“Licensing; Attestation; Accreditation”  

Problems with fraud, bribery     

The High Education structure in the region

Nowadays, there coexist two schemas at the High Education system in Central Asia: the traditional system and a multi‐level system created to share the international high education community.

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The traditional system is based on the “Specialist diploma”,

Multi-level system Bachelor’s degree Master’s degree PhD

Traditional System

Specialist diploma

Candidate of Sciencies (Kandidat Nauk)

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with duration not less than 5 years (6 years on some specialities of medicine and architecture). Afterwards, students can undertake postgraduate studies leading to the qualification of Candidate of Sciences (Kandidat Nauk), which normally last for three years. The Doctor of Sciences (Doktor Nauk) is awarded on the basis of the Kandidat Nauk and after completion of a thesis based on original research. The multilevel system follows the Bologna Declaration criteria and is intended to introduce national systems into the international community area. A Bachelor’s degree is awarded after a 4‐year program that lead to a Master’s program (optional after Bachelor) lasting for 2 additional years. A PhD is conferred beyond the Master's Degree and the defence of an original research work.

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The Higher Education System in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is the most industrialized of the former Soviet republics in Central Asia. It ranks 56 on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and a key goal of the country is to become one of the world's 50 most competitive economies by 2015.

In 1990, Kazakhstan was an important part of the Soviet scientific research community. The country has high levels of literacy (97%) and has achieved near universal primary education. Eleven years of schooling are mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 17. In 2005 participation rates stood at 99.3% for 7 to 10 years old, 99.8% for 11 to 15 years old, and 86.7% for 16 to 17 years old. All public education from primary to tertiary is free or financed by grants provided by the government3. As shown in the graph below, by 2007, 51% of the population was enrolled in tertiary education (61% of men and 42% of women).

Source: UNESCO (http://stats.uis.unesco.org)

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In the last decade, Kazakhstan has seen the growth of its higher education sector with an expansion of existing institutions and increased number of newly established private universities. According to the Statistics Office of Kazakhstan (www.stat.kz), for the academic year 2008‐2009, there were 143 higher education institutions. Approximately, 2/3 of them are private. For the same academic period, there were 633,814 students enrolled in higher education out of a population of over 15 million.

However, it is noticeable how the number of High Education Institutions (HEI) has recently decreased (as shown in the graph below), also has the number of people enrolled in post‐ secondary education. During the academic year 2004‐2005, almost 750,000 students attended tertiary education in the country.

Number of High Education Institutions in Kazakhstan

Year 20'03-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009

number of HEIs 180 181 181 176 167 143

Source: Statistics Office of Kazakhstan (www.stat.kz)

Kazakhstan has entered the Bologna process and the government has prioritized international accreditation of universities, institutional capacity building and greater access of tertiary education to overcome regional inequalities. Credit technology was introduced in Kazakhstan as an experiment since 2005. This facilitates recognition of education by universities in other countries, strengthening students’ mobility. The post‐higher (master degree) programs are

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already fully based on credit technology4. Also, the implementation of the three‐cycle structure of higher education is oriented towards integration with international education area and consists of the following levels5:  bachelor’s degree (4 years) / Specialist Diploma (5 years);  Master’s degree (2 years after Bachelor and 1 year after Specialist diploma). The Master’s degree programme is aimed at training research‐pedagogic staff and is a foundation to develop future research staff.  Candidate of Sciences (2 or 3 years of postgraduate studies)  PhD/ Doctor of Sciences

Teaching is generally conducted in Russian or Kazakh languages, although more and more programs are also offered in English.

Basic data of the high education system Main laws/decrees governing higher education

Law on Higher Education Year: 1996 Law on Higher Education Year: 1993 Languages of instruction

Kazakh, Russian, English, German, French, Chinese, Arabic.

4

“Brief review of higher education in the Republic of Kazakhstan”. Source: Tempus office in the Republic of Kazakhstan

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University entrance requirements

Since 2004, based on nationwide admission test: the Unified National Testing Exam

Responsible for quality assurance (through licensing, attestation and accreditation) National Accreditation Centre, Ministry of Education and Science.

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific Year of signature: 1983

Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Europe, Year of signature: 1979

Agreements on mutual recognition and equivalence of documents about education, scientific degrees and titles were signed between the Governments of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan in 2001.

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The Higher Education System in the Kyrgyz Republic

In Kyrgyzstan the system of professional education consist of the primary, secondary and higher professional education. From the administrative point of view, there are two separate government bodies exercising authority over the professional education: the first body has a ministerial status (this is the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic), and the second has a state agency status (the State Agency on Vocational Training and Education under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic).

Currently, in Kyrgyzstan there are 79 Secondary Vocational Educational institutions, 23 amongst them are part of the higher education institutions structure. The level of Higher Professional Education is represented by 47 universities, including 15 private ones. Joint educational establishments on the basis of intergovernmental agreements, such Kyrgyz‐Russian (Slavic) University, Kyrgyz‐Turkish University "Manas", American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyz‐Uzbek University carry out educational activity in the Kyrgyz Republic. Diplomas of these establishments are valid both in Kyrgyzstan, and in those countries with which agreements are concluded.

The higher education system includes 237,000 students (208,000 of them are self‐financed students)6. As shown in the graph below, by 2007 43% of the population were enrolled in tertiary education (48% of men and 37% of women).

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Source: UNESCO (http://stats.uis.unesco.org)

In Kyrgyzstan’s High Education system, there cohabit two educational systems: the traditional system of specialists and the multi‐level structure.  Traditional system: Specialists diploma with duration not less than 5 years (6 years on some specialities of medicine and architecture). Full‐time postgraduate studies (Aspirantura) leading to the qualification of Candidate of Sciences (Kandidat Nauk) normally last for three years. The submission of a thesis is required. The Doctor of Sciences (Doktor Nauk) is awarded after the Kandidat Nauk after completion of a thesis based on original research.  Multilevel system: Bachelor’s degree with a 4‐year program. Master’s program (optional after Bachelor) last for 2 years after the Bachelor’s degree. A PhD is conferred after two to three years' further study beyond the Master's Degree.  Flexibility of multilevel structure of higher education allows to receive a master’s degree after reception of qualification of the certificated specialist on accelerated master program in time not less than 1,5 years.  Having received the bachelor’s diploma, it is possible to continue education under the program of certificated specialist in within 1,5 years.

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At the beginning of 90’s, the number of HEIs accomplishing a professional education on multilevel system increased significantly. However, recently it started a tendency of refusal of realization of the baccalaureate programs and transition to traditional preparation of specialists. It is caused by the fact that a degree of the bachelor till now is not fully accepted on labour market, and priority is given to specialists with full higher education. The status of bachelors and masters is not yet certain in lists of staff and duty regulations of the majority of enterprises and organizations. These degrees have not got accustomed in industrial sphere and in agriculture. In this connection agrarian and technical Universities have reduced release of bachelors and masters, having given more attention to engineering preparation of specialists with education of 5 years. However in economic and humanitarian spheres degrees of bachelor and master extend and become demanded on a labour market more and more7.

The contractual legal base of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of education is presented by more than 75 agreements within the limits of which activities on exchange of students are carried out. According to the information of HEIs of the Kyrgyz Republic, about 230 interuniversity agreements between HEIs of the Kyrgyz Republic and foreign HEIs are signed today. It is necessary to note, that on the basis of these agreements there is an active exchange of students, and the above‐named agreements have very wide geographical direction8.

By the decision of the Board of the Ministry of Education « About carrying out an experiment on the organization of educational process on credit technologies in pilot HEIs», a pilot project on the practical introduction of ECTS has been carried out on the basis of seven Institutions since

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2004: Kyrgyz National University named after J.Balasagyn, International University of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek State University of Economy and Business, Academy of Management under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Osh Technological University, Naryn State University, Bishkek Financial and Economic Academy.

This experiment is led on the Memorandum signed between the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, the National Office of the program of EU “Tempus‐Tacis " and Working group under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on integration of HEIs of Kyrgyzstan in Bologna process from July 1st, 2004. Within the limits of experiment, HEIs should begin the introduction of credit system in educational process, study the problems revealed during the process and work out the questions of adaptation of credit system in conditions of Kyrgyzstan.

Law of the Kyrgyz Republic «On education», approved by the Decree of the President April 30, 2003. Languages of instruction

Kyrgyz, Russian, English

Basically by results of national testing graduates of schools, but Нigher Education Institutions

can carry out additional own entrance examinations.

Responsible for quality assurance (through licensing, attestation and accreditation) State Inspection on Licensing and Certification of educational establishments, Ministry of Education. Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

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Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific, Year of signature: 1983

Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Europe, Year of signature: 1979

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The Higher Education System in Uzbekistan

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Higher education is mainly co‐ordinated and funded by the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education (MHSSE). There are 34 Higher Educational Institutions (14 of them Universities, 20 – Institutes) accountable to MHSSE. There are still some highly specialised institutions, however, which come under other horizontal ministries.

According to information from the MHSSE, the number of HEIs in Uzbekistan is 65 with a number of professors‐teachers above 22.200. According to UNDP (2007) there are, in total, 286.300 students, including 273.700 at the Bachelor’s level and 12.600 people at Master’s level. Around 69% of students study on a fee paid basis (individual contract) at the Bachelor’s level and 75% students study on a fee paid basis at the Master’s level. Since 2000 the number of new university students enrolling each year has increased by over a third.

The following international universities have been established in Uzbekistan: Westminster International University in Tashkent, branches of the Moscow State University named after M.V.Lomonosov and of the Russian Academy named after Plekhanov, the Russian University of Oil and Gas named after Gubkin, Singapore Institute of Management in Tashkent.

On 29 August 1997, President Islam Karimov signed the Law on the establishment of a “National Programme for Personnel Training”, which provides a long‐term strategy for strengthening education, the development of a continuing education system and reinforcing the multi‐level

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higher education system. Reforms in the higher education sector of the country resulted into a switch on to a two‐stage structure consisting of:  Bachelor‘s degree level is a basic higher education providing fundamental and applied knowledge according to speciality, with a period of study not less than 4 years. Upon completion of the Bachelor’s programme a graduate is conferred with the degree of bachelor and granted a diploma of the state, which entitles to start professional activity.  Medicine, dentistry and nursing have specific programs.  Master‘s degree level is higher education with fundamental and applied knowledge in a concrete field and lasts not less than 2 years on the basis of the Bachelor‘s degree. It should be emphasized that only students who have studied for a Bachelor’s degree in a certain field may apply for the corresponding Master’s course. Post‐higher education includes the qualification of Candidate of Science (3 years) and Doctor of Sciences’ programs (3 years). The reforms implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan aim at the integration of national education system into the international education community. The National Program for Personnel Training also identifies the following areas as critical for the new system to become fully operational:  to elaborate and introduce state educational standards for the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree levels,  to train higher education teaching staff (including training abroad in the best universities),  to conduct structural reform in higher education establishments,  to improve the management, increase the independence of higher education establishments,

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 to introduce the concept of public management through the creation of Boards of Founders,  to elaborate and implement mechanisms of interaction between education, science and industry,  to elaborate technologies for personalising education, means of open and distance education, to intensify the educational process by introducing the use of new pedagogical methodologies, information technologies and modular systems,  to broaden the humanitarian base of education.

The use of ICTs in the country is expected to continue improving. A Presidential decree of 30th May 2002, set new strategic directions and goals of ICT development in Uzbekistan. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved the Program of development of Information and Communication Technologies for the period of 2003‐2010 and the provision of wide access to Internet.

Update on law on education Year: 1997 (establishing bachelor + master structure in higher education) Law on Education Year: 1995

Languages of instruction Uzbek, Russian.

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Certificate of Secondary Education from “academic lyceum” or “professional college” and national admissions test. Each institution determines its own admission policy.

Responsible for quality assurance (through licensing, attestation and accreditation) Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies -

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The Higher Education System in Tajikistan

The country is implementing significant changes to its education system which are all derived from Tajikistan’s independence as a result of the break‐up of the former Soviet Union. Unfortunately, the civil war (1992‐1997) caused the outflow of the most qualified part of population.

10_{By 2008, the number of students at High Education institutions was 132,000. There are 32 High}

education institutions in Tajikistan. At present, universities are transforming to a credit system (ECTS). The High Education structure in the country is organised in three levels:  1st stage: Junior specialist degree is conferred after two years of study. The bachelor's degree is awarded after four years of study. The diploma of specialist in a given field is conferred after five year's study.  2nd stage: Masters and Kandidat Nauk. The Master's degree is awarded after two years study beyond the bachelor's degree or 1 year after the Specialist Diploma. The Candidate of Science (Kandidat Nauk) degree is conferred after an additional two or three years study beyond the specialist degree plus defence of a thesis. 10

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 3rd stage: The Ph.D. is conferred after an additional three years study beyond the master's degree. The Doktor Nauk is conferred after an additional three years beyond the Kandidat Nauk. Both require an original research work.

The major challenges of the high education system in the country, according to the Tempus Office in Tajikistan, are the following:  Development of a legal framework in the context of new economic relations  Expansion of the higher education institutions network in the context of training specialists in accordance with local market needs  Provision of universities with the relevant teaching staff  Improvement of fund‐raising  Improvement teaching academic level  Improvement of quality of the education  Social protection of academic staff and professors  Improvement of curricula and teaching materials  Development of international relations  Corruption in education An interesting initiative related to distance learning is the Distance Training Centre, which is the result of a cooperation agreement signed in 1999 between the Moscow State University of Economy, Statistics and Computer Science and Tajik Technical University. Citizens of Tajikistan, without leaving the country, can master programs and to receive corresponding certificates and diplomas of Moscow University. It is expected that other agreements will be concluded. This is an opportunity to improve education on those specialties that are not lectured in the Tajik institutions and also to heighten

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educational level also for disabled persons.

-

Languages of instruction Tajik, Russian.

Higher education institutions give their own entrance examinations.

Responsible for quality assurance (through licensing, attestation and accreditation) Ministry of Education

Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies

Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific Year of signature: 1983.

Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Diplomas and Degrees in Higher Education in Europe, Year of signature: 1979.

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ICT Situation in the region

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Both Internet usage and availability of computers in the region are low. According to the

“Information Society Statistical Profiles 2009: CIS” prepared by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Internet user penetration rates in the region are: ‐ Between 15‐20% in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

‐ Below 15 % in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Armenia, and Turkmenistan

Kazakhstan reaches the third highest mobile penetration level in the region in 2007, after Russia

and Ukraine. International Internet bandwidth per Internet user increased from 192 bits/user in

2002 to 1’052 in 2007, and Internet penetration rate experienced some progress. Despite the

improvement, Internet usage was still low and mobile broadband services unavailable in 2007.

Kyrgyzstan made some progress in the last years but it did not match the region’s overall

progress. The increase in mobile cellular penetration reached 41% in 2007 from 1% in 2002, and

international Internet bandwidth per Internet user increased from 59 to 796 bits/user in the

same period, yet in both cases Kyrgyzstan remained below the region’s average. Kyrgyzstan has a

very low fixed telephone penetration (9 per cent in 2007).

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Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan occupy the last three places in the region. All three

countries have a very low proportion of households with a computer (below 2.5% in 2007), and a

low proportion of households with Internet access at home (less than 1% in 2007). Mobile

cellular penetration rates are low, especially in the case of Turkmenistan (7% in 2007).

Turkmenistan has the highest fixed telephone penetration of the three (9 fixed telephone lines

per 100 inhabitants). By 2007, Tajikistan was the only country amidst the three offering mobile

broadband services, although with a negligible uptake. Both Internet usage and fixed broadband

penetration were low in all three countries.

The Technical Communication Department of the University of Washington published the results of a survey conducted between April and June 2007 on Information and Communication

Technologies in Central Asia (available at: http://depts.washington.edu/caict/ ). We reproduce here some of the results, relevant for our project:

(Percentages in tables are based on entire sample of 1,000 respondents per country)

‐ At the question: Do you ever use a computer, at least occasionally?

All countries Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Uzbekistan

Yes 23.9 (n = 954) 29.1 27.7 16.3 22.3 No 76.1 (n = 3042) 70.9 72.3 83.3 77.8 Don’t know/refused 0.1 (n = 4) 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0

‐ At the question: Do you ever go online to access the Internet?

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Yes 8.0

(n = 319)

9.9 13.3 4.5 4.2

No, I have never

used the Internet

89.1

(n = 3562)

86.9 83 92.2 94.1

No, I have used the

Internet but no longer do 1.9 (n = 76) 3.0 2.8 0.8 1.0 Don’t know/refused 1.1 (n = 43) 0.2 0.9 2.5 0.7

‐ At the question: Does anyone in your household go online from home to access the Internet?

Yes 6.4

(n = 257)

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No 91.5 (n = 3658) 90.5 86.7 92.6 96.0 Don’t know/refused 2.1 (n = 85) 0.9 2.2 4.1 1.3

‐ At the requirement to rate level of agreement with the statement: “It is easy to get access to the Internet from my home”, answers were:

Strongly Agree 1.9 (n = 75) 3.5 1.7 1.8 0.5 Agree 4.8 (n = 193) 8.8 4.8 4.2 1.5 Disagree 18.7 (n = 750) 21.0 24.1 17.4 12.5 Strongly Disagree 44.6 (n = 1785) 49.9 34.4 40.7 53.5 Don’t know/refused 30.0 (n = 1198) 16.9 35.0 35.9 32.0

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Existing European Mobility Schemas in the Region

Tempus

This programme has been funding projects in Central Asia since 1994. It funds institution‐based university cooperation projects and a special emphasis is given to the mobility of academic and administrative staff from higher education institutions, both from the EU and partner countries.

Following the Bologna process, the fourth phase of the programme (Tempus IV 2007‐2013) promotes voluntary convergence with EU developments in the field of higher education through:

 Joint Projects based on multilateral partnerships between higher education institutions in the EU and partner countries. Projects will be selected through annual calls for proposals.  Structural measures seeking to contribute to the development and reform of education

institutions and systems in partner countries, as well as to enhance their quality and increase their convergence with EU developments. They will be implemented through a call for proposals mechanism.

The Development and Cooperation Instrument under Tempus IV is working in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window

Erasmus Mundus is a cooperation and mobility programme in the field of higher education that aims to enhance the quality

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of European higher education and to promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through cooperation with Third‐Countries.

At the end of a mobility period covering only part of a curriculum – lasting from one quarter to one academic year or more ‐, the student must be provided by his/her host institution with a transcript of records specifying the marks obtained for each of the courses attended. This transcript must be used by the home institution for recognising the study period abroad as part of the general curriculum required for obtaining the final degree.

Partners countries in Central Asia

Kazakhstan

Academician E.A. Buketov Karaganda State University (KSU) Kazakh national Technical University named after K.I. Satbayev The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University

Ahmed Yasawi International Turkish-Kazakh University (AYU)

Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP) Kazakh Economic University named after T. Ryskolov (KazEU)

Kazakh National Agrarian University

Karaganda Economical University after Kazpotrebsoyuz)

Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzskiy Nationalnyi Universitet

Bishkek State University, Economics and Business Naryn State Univesity

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Issyk-kul State University named after K.Tynystanov

Osh Technological University named after academician M.M. Adyshev Kyrgyz National Agrarian University

Talas State University

Uzbekistan

Westminster International University in Tashkent Tashkent Chemical-Technology Institute Bukhara State University

Tashkent State University of Economics Urgench State University

Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Melioration

Tajikistan

Khujand Branch of Technological University of Tajikistan Tajik State University of Commerce

Turkmenistan.

Turkmen State University after Magtymguly

* As associated partners: Bilim Educational Advising Centers’ Network in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan StateMedical

Institute, Turkmen Polytechnic Institute.

ERASMUS PARTICIPATION 2004-200912

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COUNTRY Male M % Female F % Overall

Total Total Total

Kazakhstan 1 14% 6 86% 7 Kyrgyzstan 4 36% 7 64% 11 Tajikistan 1 33% 2 67% 3 Turkmenistan 1 33% 2 67% 3 Uzbekistan 17 77% 5 23% 22 CAREN

The European Commission is also funding the Central Asia Research and Education Network (CAREN). Launched in January 2009, the Central Asian Research and Education Network will provide high speed internet for universities and research centres. CAREN will allow researchers, educators and students in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan not only to collaborate among each other but also to engage in joint projects (telemedicine, distance education, etc.) with their peers in Europe and in other parts of the world.

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Analysis of the offer In order to have a closer look at the postgraduate offer in the region and the characteristics of it, a research was done of 84 Universities both in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. It is important to highlight that information could be retrieved only from 31 of them (listed on Annex 6.2). The rest of the websites 1) they were not working properly or 2) they had no information about specific programs at the University. Another difficulty encountered was the lack of English versions of the websites. All the information was presented in Russian and the national language, and a special translator for websites had to be used. It must be taken into account that, in the region, only a small proportion of the population uses the Internet on a regular basis to look for information, so websites tend not to be full and complete.

Duration of Postgraduate Programs

Universities in the region have introduced a multi‐level system Bachelor →Master → PhD, in order to enter the international education community. This system cohabits with the traditional one of Specialty →Candidature of Sciences →Doctor of Sciences Diploma.

A Master’s degree has duration of 2 years. However, flexibility of the system allows holders of a Specialty (5 years) take the program in a shorter duration, normally 12 or 18 months. A holder of a Bachelor’s degree can undertake an extra 1 year to get a Speciality diploma as well.

The postgraduate courses after the Specialty that lead to the Candidate of Sciences diploma normally last for 3 years

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(further details in page

7

).

Study Fields

13 The majority of the programs found belong to the field of Management and Engineering (see charter 1). Teaching and information sciences are the least popular ones, partially due to the low wages paid to these professionals. It must be taken into account that “Telecommunications engineering” is contained by field 6, although “Informatics” belongs to point 11.

Study fields

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 study codes N u m b e r of pos tg ra dua te pr ogr a m s 01 Agriculture Science

02 Architecture, urbanism and land-use planning

13

For this charter, Medical Sciences were not included due to the specific characteristics and diversity of programs for this specialty,

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03 Art and Design 04 Management Science 05 Education science

06 Engineering and Technology 07 Geography and Geology 08 Humanities

09 Linguistics and Philology 10 Law

11 Mathematics and Informatics 12 Medical science

13 Nature science 14 Social Science

15 Communication and Information Science 16 Other study fields

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Language

Mainly, teaching is conducted in Russian and Kyrgyz/Kazakh language. Often entrance examinations include a foreign language test.

International Universities and some private/public ones also offer programs in English, detailed below:

Kyrgyzstan

American University-Central Asia

Master: Master of Business Administration (MBA) Bishkek Financial Economical Academy

Specialty: Social and cultural service and tourism International University of Kyrgyzstan

Master: " Applied Economics " - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Master: " Banking " - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

Master: "Finance and Credit "- learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Master: "International Business" - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

Master: "International Economic Relations " - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Master: Direction: "Management" Specialty: International Business (at the Hicher Training College)

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Specialty: " Banking " - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

Specialty: "Finance and Credit "- learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Specialty: "International Business" - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Specialty: "International Economic Relations " - learning English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

OSCE Academy

Master: Master of Arts in Political Science

Kazakhstan

Kazakh national university named after Al- Farabi

Master: Business Administration, specialization in Actuarial Mathematics Master: Business Administration

Kazakh-British technical university

Master: Master of Business Administration

Master: Master of Business Administration in Oil and Gas

Master: Master of Science in Human Resources Management (Robert Gordon University) Master: Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Hariot Watt Institute)

KIMEP: Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research Doctorate: Business Administration

Master: Executive MBA

Master: Master of Arts (MA) in Economics

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Master: Master of Arts in Teaching English to speakers of other languages Master: Master of Business Administration

Master: Master of International relations Master: Master of Public Administration

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Distance Learning Programs

In the region, the correspondence form of training has a long tradition. Printed materials are sent to the student that will, normally, take examinations at the University. However, virtual methodologies based on on‐line platform where students and teachers can interact, is becoming more usual. Nonetheless, 100% virtual courses are quite rare and normally use combined methodologies (printed materials, telephone, Internet). Kyrgyzstan In Kyrgyzstan, we have found 7 Universities that offer distance learning programs at postgraduate level.

Bishkek Financial Economical Academy http://www.bafe.kg

Specialty: Accounting, analysis and audit Non virtual Specialty: Finance and Credit, specialization in Financial Management Non virtual Specialty: Management of the organization Non virtual Specialty: Social and cultural service and tourism Non virtual Specialty: Taxes and taxation Non virtual

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Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs http://www.dipacademy.com.kg

Specialty: history of international relations and foreign policy Non virtual Specialty: international law Non virtual Specialty: political culture and ideology Non virtual Specialty: political economy Non virtual Specialty: political institutions and processes Non virtual Specialty: political problems of international systems and global

development Non virtual

Specialty: world economy and international economic relations Non virtual International University of Kyrgyzstan

http://www.iuk.kg/

Specialty: "Jurisprudence", specialization: "Customs Law" (at the

Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education) Virtual Specialty: "Economics", specialization: "Banking" (at the

Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education) Virtual

Specialty: "Economics", specialization: "Banking", "International

Economic Relations" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education) Virtual Specialty: "Information and Computer Technology", specialization:

"Automated Systems of Information Processing and Management"(at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education)

Virtual

Specialty: "Information and Computer Technology", specialization: "Computer information systems in business" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education)

Virtual

Specialty: "Jurisprudence", specialization: "International Law" (at the

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Kyrgyz Economy University http://www.keu.edu.kg

Specialty: Accounting, analysis and audit - Specialization: Accounting,

analysis and audit in organizations Virtual Erasmus Mundus Specialty: CUSTOMS - Specializations: Customs examination Virtual Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Economy and Enterprise Management - Specialization:

Economics and management for small and medium businesses

Virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Finance and Credit - Specialization: Banking Virtual Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Finance and Credit - Specialization: Taxes and taxation Virtual Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Management of organizations - Specialization: Financial

Management Virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Management of organizations - Specialization: Management

in Healthcare Virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Management of organizations - Specialization: Socio-cultural

service and tourism Virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Marketing - Specialization: Logistics Virtual Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Marketing - Specialization: Marketing in Commercial

Organizations Virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: NATIONAL ECONOMY - Specialization: Corporate

Management Virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: NATIONAL ECONOMY - Specialization: Regional Economy Virtual Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Organization of Customs Activity Virtual Erasmus

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Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn http://www.university.kg/web/guest/home

Specialty: Accounting and audit Non virtual Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Customs Non virtual Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Economics and business management Non virtual Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Finance and credit Non virtual Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Law Non virtual Erasmus

Mundus Kyrgyz State Academy of Law

http://www.ua.kg

Master: Administrative, financial law Non virtual Master: Business law, commercial law; Non virtual Master: Civil law, family law, private international Non virtual Master: Civil proceedings Non virtual Master: Constitutional law, municipal law Non virtual Master: Criminal law, criminology, penal law Non virtual Master: Criminal trial, criminalities and forensics, the theory of

operational search activities; Non virtual Master: Labour Law, Social Welfare; Non virtual Master: Legal basis of issue and circulation of securities, auditing Non virtual

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Master: Legal informatics, mathematical methods and computer technology in the legal profession, legal aspects of governance in the social and economic systems

Non virtual

Master: Natural Resources Law, Environmental Law, Land Law; Non virtual Master: Public international law, European law Non virtual Master: Tax, budget, banking law Non virtual Master: The judiciary, prosecutor's supervision, law enforcement,

lawyers, notaries Non virtual

Master: Theory and History of State and Law, the history of legal

doctrines Non virtual

Kyrgyz-Russian Slavik University http://www.krsu.edu.kg/

Specialty: Finance and credit - Banking Combined Specialty: Finance and credit - Insurance Combined Specialty: Finance and credit - Taxes and taxation Combined Specialty: Jurisprudence - Civil law and procedure Combined Specialty: Jurisprudence – Criminal law and procedure Combined Specialty: Jurisprudence - International law Combined Specialty: Jurisprudence - Tax law Combined Specialty: Management - Business administration Combined Specialty: Management - Finance and banking management Combined

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Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, 6 Universities offer distance learning programs, most of them using combined teaching methodologies.

East Kazakhstan State Technical University named after D. Serikbaev http://www.ektu.kz

Master: Аccounting and auditing Combined

Master: Аrchitecture Combined

Master: Automation and Control Combined Master: Сomputer equipment and software Combined

Master: Construction Combined

Master: Design Combined

Master: Еconomics Combined

Master: Electric power generation Combined

Master: Evaluation Combined

Master: Geology and exploration of mineral deposits Combined Master: Information systems Combined

Master: Machinery Combined

Master: Management Combined

Master: Marketing Combined

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Master: Master of Science in Metallurgy Combined

Master: Mathematics Combined

Master: Mining Combined

Master: Philology Combined

Master: Philosophy Combined

Master: Physics Combined

Master: Production of building materials, products and structures Combined Master: Safety and Environmental Protection Combined Master: Standardization, Metrology and Certification Combined Master: Technical physics Combined Master: Technological machinery and equipment Combined Master: Thermal power generation Combined Master: Vehicles, Equipment and Technologies Combined International Business Academy

http://www.iab.kz

Master: MBA in Information Management Combined Karaganda State University named after E. Buketov

http://www.ksu.kz

Doctorate: PhD in Economics and national economy management Combined Erasmus Mundus Doctorate: PhD in Historiography and methods of historical

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Doctorate: PhD in Kazakh language Combined Erasmus Mundus Doctorate: PhD in Kazakh literature Combined Erasmus

Mundus Doctorate: PhD in mathematical analysis Combined Erasmus

Mundus Doctorate: PhD in Native history (History of Kazakhstan) Combined Erasmus

Mundus Doctorate: PhD in Organic chemistry Combined Erasmus

Mundus Doctorate: PhD in Physics of condensed state Combined Erasmus

Mundus Doctorate: PhD in Thermal physics and theoretical heating

engineering

Combined Erasmus Mundus Master: Accounting and audit Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Biology Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Chemistry Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: Consumer services Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Defectology Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Ecology Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Economics Combined Erasmus

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Master: Finances Combined Erasmus Mundus Master: foreign language: two foreign languages Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: History Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: Information science Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: Information systems Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Jurisprudence Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Management Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Marketing Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Mathematics Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Mechanics Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Philosophy Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Physics Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Politology Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: Professional training Combined Erasmus

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Master: Psychology Combined Erasmus Mundus

Master: Social work Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Sociology Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: State and Local management Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: Technical physics Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Master: Tourism Combined Erasmus

Mundus Master: Transport, transport techniques and technology Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in calculus Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in catalysis Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in comparative history and comparative

linguistics Combined Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Postgraduate in Constitutional law Combined Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Economics and national economy

management

Combined Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in financial law Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in History of philosophy Combined Erasmus

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Specialty: Postgraduate in Inorganic chemistry Combined Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Kazakh language Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Kazakh literature Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in mathematical analysis Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in municipal law Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Native history (History of) Kazakhstan Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Organic chemistry Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in pedagogy, the history of pedagogy and

education and ethnical pedagogy Combined Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Physical chemistry Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Physics of condensed state Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Physiology Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in Social philosophy Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in theory and methods of professional

education

Combined Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Postgraduate in thermal physics and theoretical heating

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Specialty: Postgraduate in Zoology Combined Erasmus Mundus S2pecialty: Specialty: Postgraduate in administrative law Combined Erasmus

Mundus Kazakh national technical university named after K. I. Satpaev

http://www.ntu.kz

Specialty: Accounting Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Applied chemistry of inorganic matters Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Applied chemistry of organic matters Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Applied physics Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Architecture Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Automation and control Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Biotechnology Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Cadastre Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Computer science and software Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Construction: industrial and civil Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Construction: projecting of and-gas conductor and

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Specialty: Design Combined Erasmus Mundus

Specialty: Ecology Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Economics Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Electroenergetics Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Estimation Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Finance Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Geodesy and cartography Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Geology and prospecting mineral deposits Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Informatics Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Information systems Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Instrument engineering Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Land management Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Management Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Marketing Combined Erasmus

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Specialty: Material science and technology of new materials Combined Erasmus Mundus Specialty: Mathematical and computer modeling Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Mechanical engineering Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Metallurgy Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Mining engineering Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Oil and gas business Combined Erasmus

Mundus

Specialty: Polygraphy Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Radioengineering, electronics and telecommunications Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Safety of vital activity and environmental protection Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Standardization, metrology and certification Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Technologic machinery and equipment: metallurgical Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Technologic machinery and equipment: mining Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Technologic machinery and equipment: oil-and-gas Combined Erasmus

Mundus Specialty: Transport, transport hardware and technology Combined Erasmus

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Specialty: Water resources and water consumption Combined Erasmus Mundus Bazakh-British technical university

http://www.kbtu.kz

Doctorate: PhD Combined

Master: Master of Science in Human Resources Management

(Robert Gordon University) Virtual

Master: Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Hariot Watt Institute)

Virtual State Industrial university of Karaganda

http://www.kgiu.kz

Master: 7 Master's programs in the field of Engineering technology

and automation, metals, construction, computer sciences. Non virtual Master: 7 Master's programs in the field of Engineering technology

and automation, metals, construction, computer sciences.

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Joint Postgraduate Programs

In Kyrgyzstan, there are 22 joint programs with foreign Universities.

Bishkek Financial Economical Academy Master: Master of Economics, specialization "Finance"

Master: Master of Management, specialization "General and Strategic Management" Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Master: Economics (Specialty: the world economy and modern economic relations) Master: History (Specialty: the history of international relations);

Master: Political Science (Specialty: international political process and international relations) International University of Kyrgyzstan

Master: " Applied Economics " – learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Master: " Banking " - learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

Master: "Finance and Credit "- learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Master: "International Business" - learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Master: "International Economic Relations " - learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

Master: Direction: "Management" Specialty: International Business (at the HIGHER Training College) Specialty: " Applied Economics " - learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Specialty: " Banking " – learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

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Specialty: "International Business" – learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands) Specialty: "International Economic Relations " - learning in English, with a certificate University of Arnhem (Netherlands)

Specialty: Direction "Jurisprudence" Specialty: "Customs Law" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education) Specialty: Direction: "Economics" Specialty: "Banking" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education)

Specialty: Direction: "Economics" Specialty: "Banking", "International Economic Relations" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education)

Specialty: Direction: "Information and Computer Technology" Specialty: "Automated Systems of Information Processing and Management" at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education)

Specialty: Direction: "Information and Computer Technology" Specialty: "Computer information systems in business" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education)

Specialty: Direction: "Jurisprudence" Specialty: "International Law" (at the Kyrgyz-Institute for Distance Education) In Kazakhstan, there are 18 joint programs within the researched Universities.

East Kazakhstan State Technical University named after D. Serikbaev

Master: Business Administration (University of San Jose in Korea, where it is the second year to spend. Possibility of distant education during 1st year in Kazakhstan.)

Master: geology and exploration of mineral deposits (second year to spend at the University of Wroclaw, Poland) International Business Academy

Doctorate: PhD in Bussiness Administration (joint program with the Maastricht School of Management) Doctorate: PhD in Bussiness Administration (joint program with the Academy of National Economy, Russia) Master: Intermational Executive MBA: Leadership and Entrepreneurship (with certificate of the HEC School of Management, France)

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Master: Intermational Executive MBA: Oil, Gas, Energy Management (with certificate of the HEC School of Management, France)

Master: Intermational Executive MBA: Risk management: an international perspective (with certificate of the HEC School of Management, France)

Master: Management (with certificate of the Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands)

Master: MBA in Bank Management (with certificate of the Finance Academy under the Government of Russia) Master: MBA in Finance (with certificate of the Finance Academy under the Government of Russia)

Master: MBA in General and Strategic Management

Master: MBA in Information Management (with certificate of the School of IT-management, Academy of National Economy under the Russian Federation Government). The elective courses will be taken on distant format. Kazakh national technical university named after K. I. Satpaev

Master: MBA “Innovation and project management” (double diploma) Master: MBA “Innovation and technology management”

Master: MBA “IT management”

Kazakh national university named after Al- Farabi

Master in Business Administation, especialization in Actuarial Mathematics (Joint with Heriot-Watt University, Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics in Edimburgh)

Kazakh-British technical university (KBTU)

Master: Master of Science in Human Resources Management (Robert Gordon University) Master: Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering (Hariot Watt Institute)

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Best practices: case studies

In Central Asia, there still exists a lack of resources and legal conditions for a full development of the virtual education. Traditionally, distant education has been carried out on the correspondence form and many Universities offer this distance learning format. However, the virtual distance learning offer is improving in the region. We will review some examples of good practices in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan where virtual mobility could be performed.

Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic

Reaasearch (KIMEP)

The Distance Learning programme is an initiative of the College of Continuing Education. It offers courses via the Internet. For that, KIMEP has created a ‘virtual’ campus where students can access course materials, communication with peers and their instructor, online tests, and group work. Each instructor can customize his/her course to suit its learning materials and educational objectives. All courses, with the exception of Kazakh and a few other courses are taught in English (as in on‐campus programs). Examination and grading policies follow KIMEP academic requirements and can be either on‐line or require presence. Courses that are offered online by KIMEP’s College of Social Sciences and Bang College of Business maintain the same calendar, academic standards and credit value as on campus and each Department will define its offer.

KIMEP uses the North American system of credits. Nonetheless, it is foreseen the system for the transfer of European credits counted on ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) to KIMEP’s curricula. If the number of contact hours for a course is more than ½ * ECTS * 15, then the

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total contact time divided by 15. Otherwise the number of KIMEP credits should be based on the following conversion table: They offer the following postgraduate programs:  Master of Arts (MA) in Economics  Master of Public Administration  Master of Arts in Teaching English to speakers of other languages  Master of Arts in International Journalism and Mass Communication  Master of International relations  Doctorate in Business Administration  Executive MBA  Master of Business Administration

International University of Kyrgyzstan

The International University of Kyrgyzstan is one of the High Education Institutions engaged in the practical adoption of the ECTS system.

The International University of Kyrgyzstan, together with the modern Humanitarian University of Moscow (SGU) and under the auspices of the Interstate Committee on Knowledge Promotion and Adult Education of the CIS, created the Kyrgyz Institute for Distance Education (KIDЕ).

ECTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.5 10