Both Russian Federation and Kazakhstan are the countries which, on one hand, boast huge territory (1st and 9th largest countries in the world, accordingly), and, on the other hand, had experienced relatively small household waste during Soviet times (due to much smaller household consumption). As a result, the main way to handle waste in both countries was (and remains) the landfills; yet the situation had drastically changed during the past decade, and now the waste per person in these countries is close to the EU level. This lead to the lack of knowledge and competence in waste management, resulting in efficient practices in the field. It influences lower impact that EU initiatives on waste management and circular economy have on the environment.Though Russia and Kazakhstan have a very different score on Environmental Performance Index (52nd place and 101st place, accordingly), in terms of waste management, measured by environmental vitality, they have very similar scores: Russia scores 55.99 points and Kazakhstan – 53.35 points. This indicates systemic problems in creation of waste management infrastructure, including lack of specialists who can deal with the increasing and overwhelming amount of waste using holistic approachThe project aims to develop Waste management master programme that would be implemented in 6 Russian and Kazahkstan universities. The programme is based on learning-by-doing pedagogical techniques, and will be taught in Russian, Kazakh and English.The envisaged impact includes 50-70 master students annually enrolled in Waste management programme, not less, than 30 faculty members for Russian and Kazakhstan universities who had undergone train by trainer sessions by EU partners and internships in EU companies. Not less than 30 students participated in the EU internships.

The Project is cooperation between Universities of Northumbria (UK), Universidad de Castilla - La Mancha (Spain), Universita Politecnica Delle Marche (Italy), Beijing Institute of Technology and Harbin Engineering University (China); Seifullin Kazakh Agro Technical University and Pavlodar State University (Kazakhstan); South Ural Sate University and Bauman Moscow State Technical University (Russia).A significant number of vehicles in the above Partner Countries are equipped with Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) having technical and ecological performance inferior to that deployed in EU, US etc. A switch to modern ICE designs, similar to that, deployed in the developed countries, is required. New technology requires a new type of specialists with a deep knowledge of the state-of-the-art and technological advances in this area. All Partner Universities have Departments of Internal Combustion Engines or Transport. However, the current syllabus remains based on outdated materials and approach and also problems were identified in education of PhD students. The project aim is the deep modernisation of existing syllabus in advanced ICEs technology, improving quality of education and teaching, which includes enhancing existing and application of new learning and teaching tools, methodologies and pedagogical approaches. This will involve modernisation of learning outcomes and ICT based practices. At least 36 modules in all 6 partner Universities will go through modernisation. Approximately 50% of content for each of 36 modules will be renewed with structure, outcomes and teaching methods for each module being revised. In application to all 6 partner Universities the modernised part of the selected modules will worth about 180 ECTS credits. Additionally, Improvements in Skills Development of PhD students will be carried out for meeting career targets and their better integration into international community.

Quality of higher education (HE) is the basic priority of HE development during last decades in many countries of the world. In Europe, the Bologna process (BP) has declared the quality of HE as one of the major priorities. In CA region the quality assurance (QA) systems and mechanisms are the national priorities while the BP type reforms constitute one of the regional priorities. The consortium 5 institutions of Programme countries (PrCs-CZ, ES LV,SK,) and 6 HEIs from Partner countries (PaCs - KZ and UZ) was established with the aim to enhance the capacities in implementation of internal QA systems in PaCs using the European standards and guidelines (ESG). The specific objectives will be - Mapping the situation in the field of QA in PaCs and their HEIs; - Identification of the principles of BP relevant for HEIs in PaCs, interactive training with sharing experience among HEIs of Pr and Pa Cs; setting the institutional profiles of HEIs of PaCs with exploitation of U-map methodology;- Development of internal new/innovative, modified QA systems of HEIs of PaCs. The process will be composed of the first draft of QA systems, piloting with the supports of site-visit of expert teams of PrCs and consultations leading to the final versions of internal QA systems considering national rules/institutional regulations, Institutional missions (profiles) and exploiting ESG. The main results will be 6 internal QA systems, 6 self-evaluation reports and Final Synthesis Report (complemented with descriptive studies, training/teaching materials, analytical case, national and comparative studies) freely available to all interested stakeholders also after the end of the project lifetime (approving the sustainability of the project results). Dissemination of project results will run through the project website, facebook, leaflets announcing the project events, Final Synthesis Report and two dissemination conferences.

DECIDE will foster the right of individuals with special needs in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan to access education, enjoy the right of participation in everyday society and to combat discrimination by instilling awareness and acceptance in society as in line with the Bologna Process and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This in turn facilitates the creation of the Access Liaison Officer role at each institution, to promote disability access, and the National Special Needs Awareness Day focus via the nationally strategic Action Groups comprised of Universities, Public Administration institutes, Ministries and NGO's. The project will promote and develop access to inclusive education, social integration and non-discrimination treatment of those with special needs in education in accordance with Bologna Process and UN criteria. Through implementation of the 8 DECIDE Introductory and Advanced Curriculum modules, the project will foster regional integration and cooperation across different regions of the Central Asian countries through joint initiatives, sharing of good practices and cooperation to improve the level of competencies and skills in HEIs and Society by developing these new and innovative education programmes.

Reason for the Project: The DIREKT project aims to instill best Information Literacy (IL) practices in higher education systems in the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan & China. The project is much needed in order to up-skill library and academic staff specifically their transferable, pedagogical and lifelong learning skills in the Information Literacy field thereby developing capacity and affecting all stakeholders including students. The project aims for improved, more relevant University services in the Information Literacy area leading to better awareness, modernization and improvements in teaching and learning. Concise Description: Creation with Librarians and Faculty, of curriculum-integrated IL programs (embedded in the three cycle system (bachelor/master/doctorate), quality assurance and recognition of qualifications for the development of lifelong learning in higher education and in Society at large and incorporating appropriate electronic media. Development of training programmes supported by 7 ECTS modules- a DIREKT Curriculum for Information Literacy which will be embedded in curricula in PC universities and with involvement of external stakeholders to ensure maximum transfer effect to Society at large.Impact envisaged: As Information Literacy is a vital transferable skill for lifelong learning that transcends all academic disciplines what is truly special and unique about this project is that the results will benefit a huge learner group- all University staff, students and librarians and the effects will be felt in RF, KZ and Chinese Society through university links with external stakeholders.