On April 10–11, 2025, representatives of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) took part in the III Regional Scientific and Practical Conference titled “Regional Aspects of Sustainable Development of Vocational Education: Challenges and Prospects,” held in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan with the support of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) under the framework of the “Professional Education for Economic Growth Sectors in Central Asia” (PECA) program.
On the first day of the conference, the EKTU delegation participated in the plenary session and in the thematic section devoted to international and national trends in the development of vocational education, with a particular focus on the green economy and sustainability. Participants became familiar with best practices from Central Asia and Europe on building ecological competencies, fostering partnerships with business, digitalizing workforce training, and managing educational institutions in the context of global transformations. EKTU representatives posed a number of questions regarding the application of these practices in the Kazakhstani context and expanded their network of professional contacts.
On the second day of the conference, the EKTU team organized and conducted two master classes, which became a central part of the conference’s practical agenda. The topic of the sessions was the transformation of university research into applied solutions for industry. These master classes were held as part of the tandem project between EKTU and the Tajik State University of Commerce (TSUC), titled “Promoting Innovation Through University Research: A Joint Initiative Between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan”, supported by the PECA program.
The master classes consisted of three logically interconnected blocks. The first block introduced EKTU as a regional research university. Participants were presented with the university’s key scientific projects, examples of contract research commissioned by industry, mechanisms of cooperation with production enterprises, as well as EKTU’s experience in implementing dual education, establishing Competence and Technology Transfer Centers, and participating in international grant initiatives (Erasmus+, the World Bank, etc.). Particular attention was paid to cases involving the training of PhD researchers in close cooperation with industry and the integration of research results into business practice.
The second block focused on the structure and content of the EKTU–TSUC tandem project. The presentation included data from an analysis of the food industry’s needs in Tajikistan, examples of adapting university learning formats to business demands, results of surveys, and feedback from participants of previous training sessions. The structure illustrated the full cycle — from identifying sectoral challenges to generating sustainable academic–industry solutions.
The third block was conducted in an interactive format. Participants engaged in foresight planning using the WHY–WHAT–HOW model. Together, they analyzed challenges, formulated sector needs, and proposed innovative solutions based on Industry 4.0 principles, sustainable production, and the circular economy. As a result, more than 50 analytical ideas and sticker notes were collected, which were then categorized according to time horizons (2025–2050) and thematic clusters — ranging from globalization and food security to sustainable development technologies and eco-packaging.
The master classes provided practical evidence of how a university can serve not only as a source of fundamental knowledge but also as an effective partner for businesses in transforming industrial sectors. EKTU’s approaches were highly appreciated by participants, including representatives of ministries, educational institutions, the private sector, and international organizations.
As a result of the event, interest was expressed in scaling the tandem project model to other sectors of the economy — including agriculture, logistics, construction, and the production of environmentally friendly products. The master classes confirmed that academic science can effectively respond to market needs and contribute directly to the global sustainable development agenda.
