TEMPUS programme projects

511347-TEMPUS-1-2010-1-DE-TEMPUS-JPCR Development of a Bachelor's degree programme in Energy Management based on blended learning (combining classroom and online learning) at universities in Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan.

Participants:

Kazakhstan

• Kostanay Engineering and Economics University named after M. Dulatov

• Kazakh Agrotechnical University named after Seifullin , Astana

• Akimat (regional administration) Kostanay

Turkmenistan

• Turkmen Polytechnic Institute, Ashgabat;

• State Energy Institute, Mary.

Participants from EU countries

• ASIIN Consulting GmbH (Germany)

• Kreis Lippe (Germany)

• FH JOANNEUM (Austria)

• Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania)

Development and implementation of the “Energy Management” training programme based on distance learning in universities in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

The implementation of this project will expand opportunities to create the necessary conditions for obtaining a quality education in the field of energy, with the effective use of distance learning technologies, which will contribute to the rapid adaptation of vocational education to the changing needs of society and the labour market. The distance learning technologies used contribute to the creation of strong links between general education, workplace training and labour market needs, and help everyone to maximise their personal potential in society based on the knowledge they have acquired. They also make it possible to expand the university's opportunities for more active participation in the global educational space. The introduction of a new specialisation will make it possible to train a new generation of management personnel for the Kostanay region who are able to combine the principles of high-tech energy production with maximum economic benefit and environmental protection. To a certain extent, this project is consistent with the Kyoto Protocol, the main directions of which are: the introduction of renewable energy sources; the introduction of energy-saving technologies and measures leading to a reduction in fuel and energy consumption.

Global objectives of the project:

• Long-term scientific support for regions in addressing issues of long-term sustainable energy supply;

• Promoting the development and dissemination of environmental and economic thinking and practices in the energy sector.

Specific objectives of the project:

• Development and implementation of the Bachelor's degree programme in Energy Management (EM) in the curricula of partner universities in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan;

• Development and promotion of distance learning through the introduction of electronic technologies.

To achieve the project objectives:

• Disciplines for the specialisation "Energy Management have been defined;

• A curriculum for the specialisation “Electrical Power Engineering”, specialisation “Energy Management” has been developed and approved by the Academic Council of Kostanay Engineering and Pedagogical University on 31 October 2011;

• Framework conditions for training have been defined;

• Methodological and didactic concept;

• Marketing strategy. 

Past meetings

From 26 to 28 October 2010, the official launch of the project took place at the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (Germany).

On 26 January 2011, Kaunas University of Technology welcomed European experts in the field of energy saving and e-learning representing partner universities in Lithuania, Germany and Austria. The aim of the seminar was to exchange views on the implementation of advanced European experience in the concept of a new educational programme, ‘Energy Management’.

From 25 to 26 February 2011, the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan in Mary hosted European, Kazakh and Turkmen project participants as part of an international conference, which was also attended by representatives of the energy sector and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan. In early May 2011, Dr. Stefan Biletke, professor at the University of Applied Sciences in Bielefeld, Germany, was invited by the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan to participate in an international conference in Ashgabat dedicated to the introduction of modern electronic tools into the learning process. As an expert in the field of e-learning, Prof. Biletski presented to the guests and organisers of the conference the concept of virtual classrooms, which can be successfully implemented in the educational process within the framework of this project.

On 20 May 2011, students and teachers from partner universities in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Germany and Lithuania attended and actively participated in the virtual premiere of the first international online lecture organised by Bielefeld School of Entrepreneurship.

From 2 to 4 August 2011, a practical seminar on the topic "Development of a Competence-Oriented Curriculum Model" was held at the Kostanay Engineering and Economics University named after M. Dulatov (KEnEU) (Kazakhstan). The workshop was conducted by Professor Manfred Hampe and Dr. Lina Ressler, employees of the German agency for quality assurance in educational programmes ASIIN Consult GmbH. During the two-day workshop, Turkmen and Kazakh participants were introduced to the principles of curriculum development and related documentation in accordance with the provisions of the Bologna Declaration, and were offered practical exercises aimed at independently formulating learning objectives in accordance with the competence-based learning model.

On 15 January 2012, two-week advanced training courses for Turkmen participants began at three European partner universities involved in the project: the University of Applied Sciences Bielefeld (Bielefeld), Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (Graz) and Kaunas University of Technology — launched two-week advanced training courses for Turkmen and Kazakh teachers.

From 20 to 21 August 2012, international project participants from Germany, Lithuania, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan visited Kazakh Agrotechnical University named after S. Seifullin (KATU) in Astana for a working meeting.

From 27 January to 2 February 2013, our Turkmen colleagues visited the University of Applied Sciences in Bielefeld and the University of Applied Sciences Joanneum in Graz to discuss the concept and content of the new specialisation "Energy Management in Construction" as well as to present their own initial practical achievements in the field of introducing electronic technologies into the learning process.

From 22 to 23 April 2013, the final project working meeting was held in Ashgabat with the participation of international partners from Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Germany and Turkmenistan. The guests were hosted by the Turkmen State Architectural and Construction Institute (TSACI), the successor to the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute. The motive for the working meetings was the sustainability of the project's results. Each partner university presented an overview of the actions already taken during the implementation of the project to ensure its sustainability, and also pointed out the potential for future development of the project. Turkmen and Kazakh colleagues recognised the new national development strategies of both countries as important indicators of sustainability. EXPO-2017 in Astana under the motto "Energy of the Future" and widespread initiatives to improve energy efficiency in Kazakhstan, the national strategy to promote the development of renewable energy sources in Turkmenistan, the final transition of Kazakhstan's higher education system to the Bologna standards in January 2013, Kazakh government resolutions on the development of norms and standards for the use of e-learning methods in higher and school education — all together prove that the project is in step with development trends in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan and will be able to pick up and implement innovations in the future thanks to its accumulated experience and openness to new partnerships and achievements.