KNAU as a Partner of an International Project on the Transformation of PhD Programs
On January 15, 2025, in Bishkek, the International Higher School of Medicine hosted the Kick-off Meeting of the international Erasmus+ CBHE project D-TIDE-KG — “Digital Transformation of Inclusive Doctoral Education in the Kyrgyz Republic.”
The project will be implemented from 2025 to 2028 and aims to modernize doctoral education in the Kyrgyz Republic through the introduction of digital technologies and the harmonization of PhD programs with the standards of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Kemel Alimkulovich Sadykov, Deputy Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic; Gulnara Isaeva, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan; Prof. Stalbek Akhunbaev, Rector of the International Higher School of Medicine; as well as representatives of partner universities from Kyrgyzstan and Europe.
The Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K.I. Skryabin was represented by U.A. Shergaziev, Vice-Rector for Research; N.M. Ibraeva, Head of the Department of Postgraduate and PhD Doctoral Studies; and R.T. Duisheev, Director of the Information Technology Center.
During the meeting, the participating organizations and their roles were presented, and key areas and issues related to the implementation of the D-TIDE-KG project were discussed. These included the work plan and responsibilities of partners, the project activity calendar, the establishment of virtual PhD centers, project management issues, financial reporting, quality management and dissemination of results, as well as sustainability of project outcomes and institutional integration.
The key objectives of the project include the launch of 10 digital PhD programs, expanding access to doctoral education for learners from remote regions, training more than 100 staff members, and enrolling 100 PhD candidates in pilot programs.
Within the framework of the project, KNAU will participate in the development and implementation of digital pilot PhD programs in agricultural fields, as well as in capacity-building activities for academic and administrative staff and in the creation of a modern digital educational environment for training research personnel.
The project is coordinated by the International Higher School of Medicine and implemented in partnership with leading universities of the Kyrgyz Republic and European higher education institutions. It will contribute to the integration of the national doctoral education system into the international academic space.