In November 2023, the final on-site event of the project “New Master's degree curriculum for sustainable bioeconomy in Uzbekistan” (BioEcUz) funded by the EU Erasmus + Programme, was held under the guidance of LBTU at the “Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers” National Research University (Uzbekistan).

The partners met to discuss the results achieved, the main benefits and their sustainability, and to discuss possible new initiatives. The event was attended by Reinis Troksa, Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Uzbekistan, who welcomed the work done by the consortium and the results achieved. It should be noted that the Embassy of Latvia to Uzbekistan provides all possible support for the project. It is very significant for work in the Central Asia region.

The BioEcUz project has enabled the development of a new “Bioeconomy” Masters level study programme, approved at four Uzbekistan universities, and is currently being studied by 23 students from the pilot group. In addition to these developments, the knowledge and skills of trainers have been improved, cooperation with bioeconomy enterprises and relevant public administration institutions has been strengthened, equipment has been purchased and solutions have been introduced that allow the quality of study programmes to be evaluated effectively. As it was noted by the partners, the project has brought to Uzbekistan the term and concept of the bioeconomy, not known before in the country.  

The event presented to the participants the jointly developed review report “The evaluation report of the pilot teaching and capacity building measures results, quality, and impact”, as well as involved students of the new Master's study programme provided feedback on the content of the programme and the study process, especially training methods, shared their experience and benefits, expressing their willingness to continue their bioeconomy studies in PhD. Uzbekistan’s partner universities presented their sustainability plans and follow up activities. One of them is very visible – 12 students in total have been admitted to the “Bioeconomy” studies in the new study year.

A meeting of the project management team was also held, agreeing on the work to be done by the end of the project in January 2024. LBTU Lifelong Learning Centre is responsible for the implementation of the project.