Project Title: OPEN FOOD INNOVATION UNIVERSITY (OFINU), No. 101128855

Dates: 6-7 May 2024
Venue: Technological University of Tajikistan, N. Karabaev street 63/3, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Presentation by: Irina Kulitane, Project Manager of “Open Food Innovation University” (OFINU)

Participants from the Erasmus+ National Office in Tajikistan: Representatives from the Erasmus+ National Office in Tajikistan actively participated in the kick-off meeting of the “Open Food Innovation University” (OFINU) project held on May 6-7, 2024. The representatives included [Names of Representatives].

Overview of the Meeting: The kick-off meeting aimed to launch the OFINU project, which focuses on modernizing food innovation and technology-related higher education in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The meeting brought together seven universities from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and two EU Member States, along with associated partners from various sectors. The agenda included discussions on project management, quality assurance, dissemination strategies, and specific objectives to be achieved throughout the project duration.

Highlights of the Meeting:

• Greetings and introductions were made by the Technological University of Tajikistan administration and the head of the Erasmus+ Office.
• The project’s objectives, activities, and expected results were presented, followed by discussions with external stakeholders to assess the project’s viability and effectiveness.
• Bilateral meetings were held to discuss open university development, content development, and general management with project partners.
• Various plans, including the Project Management Plan, Project Quality Assurance Plan, and Dissemination Strategy, were reviewed and adopted.
• Tasks and next steps, such as the review of the Project Work Plan and setting deadlines, were discussed and decided upon.
• Meetings with public authorities, including the Ministry of Education of Tajikistan, were scheduled to further align the project with national priorities.

Participants from Uzbekistan and Various Regions of Tajikistan:

• Representatives from Samarkand Agro-innovations and Research University (SAMARU) and Andijan Institute of Agriculture and Agro-technologies (AIAA) from Uzbekistan actively participated in the meetings held on May 10 in Samarkand and May 11 in Tashkent.
• Participants from various regions of Tajikistan, including Technological University of Tajikistan (TUT), Kulob Institute of Technology and Innovation Management (KITIM), and Isfara Branch of the Technological University of Tajikistan (BTUTI), were present throughout the kick-off meeting.

Conclusion: The kick-off meeting served as a crucial milestone in initiating the OFINU project, bringing together key stakeholders to align objectives, discuss strategies, and set the course for collaborative efforts in higher education modernization. The active participation of representatives from the Erasmus+ National Office in Tajikistan, alongside partners from Uzbekistan and different regions of Tajikistan, underscores the commitment to achieving the project’s goals and fostering international cooperation in education and innovation.