AGROKAZ - Development of bachelor program in agroecology with dual education in Kazakhstan

The project aims to develop and implement the sustainable dual study undergraduate program in Agroecology at three universities in Kazakhstan as well as to establish lifelong courses for professionals. In the modern agriculture, developing resource-saving technologies for the cultivation of agricultural crops, methods for producing high-quality crop products, effective ways of reproducing soil fertility, and methods of agroecological monitoring allows not only to survive despite all challenges, but also to successfully deal with fierce competition. The main goal of the project is to reduce the gap in the structure, volume and quality of labour resources from the real requirements of specific farms/enterprises and to educate professionals with competencies related to modern technologies. The (re)design of the educational program in agroecology in Kazakhstan through establishment of sustainable, internationally oriented dual study program will make students better prepared for all challenges facing agriculture in the future. After adequate preparation and curriculum development, the program (new bachelor and lifelong courses) will be implemented. Special attention will be paid to quality control and monitoring and dissemination and exploitation of project activities and results. The beneficiaries of the project outputs are: students (about 100 students per year: PSU and KazNAU 40 students per year, KEnEU 20 students per year), teachers, participating universities, companies, professionals (around 10 per year), and higher education system in Kazakhstan as a whole. More precisely, not only the Kazakh system of higher education, but society as a whole will benefit greatly, since through dual higher education the problems of providing qualified personnel to the agricultural sector are solved. The Kazakh authorities will solve the problem of providing rural regions with highly qualified personnel, as graduates return to agricultural companies that paid for their studies