On 10 October 2025, at Central Asian University (CAU) in Tashkent, a monitoring meeting of the Erasmus+ CirculEC project - « Development of innovative curricula and modules in Circular Economy and Sustainable Development» (Project No. 101129169), funded by the European Commission, was held. The delegation of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) took part in the plenary and working sessions dedicated to assessing progress in embedding circular economy principles in higher education and agreeing on the next steps to update educational programmes.
The event was conducted in a hybrid format and included presentations of new and updated academic modules, visits to «Circularity in Play» practical classes, the student-led Circular World Exhibition, and a campus tour of CAU's sustainability infrastructure. More than 50 representatives of universities from Central Asia and Europe, industry partners, and education stakeholders took part. The programme also featured a certificate ceremony, networking sessions, and discussions on further cooperation. CAU presented the outcomes of developing nine specialised modules, including two entirely new courses - «Circular Economy and Sustainable Development» and «Sustainable Business Practices» - integrated into the Business School and the School of Architecture & Design.
CAU's strategic priorities in sustainable development and the green economy align with EKTU's agenda focused on interdisciplinary integration of circular principles and the development of industry partnerships. Following the meeting, EKTU and CAU signed a Memorandum of Cooperation providing for the joint development and piloting of CirculEC modules, academic mobility of faculty and students, joint research, as well as practice-oriented internships and project-based collaboration with industry companies.
Playing a significant role in Central Asia and within the CirculEC consortium, EKTU consistently adapts and scales European best practices for training professionals for the green economy - from waste management and circular business models to sustainable urban planning and green entrepreneurship. Participation in the monitoring meeting and the agreements reached strengthen EKTU's contribution to updating educational programmes, enhance graduates' competitiveness in regional and global labour markets, and support practical solutions to socially significant climate and environmental challenges.
