Final Conference 2019 of the Norwegian Project CPEA

On 22-28 of September 2019, the Final Conference of the Norwegian Project named “Sustainable Tourism: Rural Entrepreneurship and Heritage. Educational Cooperation between Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Norway” (CPEA) took place at University of South-Eastern Norway where participated all partners from three Georgian universities and three Kyrgyz universities including KEU.

It is noted that the Norwegian CPEA project was one of the successful, long run and productive projects ever implemented in KEU. The staff of the faculty on Tourism, Hospitality and Entrepreneurship, BA, MA, PHD students of Tourism Program were involved in the project and administered by International Relations Office of KEU. 

The CPEA Project contributed not only to students and staff mobility, capacity building of the university components but on the attractiveness and image of the KEU in the country.

The project mobility component which was focused on research internships allowed students and staff to gain in-depth knowledge on topics related to sustainable tourism, rural entrepreneurship and heritage as well as to exchange of competence and practical skills. Overall from KEU, 18 – BA pre-diploma, MA, and PHD students participated on long and short term study/internships, 11 –teachers, and 4 administrative staff participated in mobility to Norway and Georgia.

The main and most important component was development and renovation of educational programs and courses on sustainable rural tourism. Almost half of the courses have been renovated in each four tourism programs out of which two new programs have been newly developed.  As a result, the project influenced on educational development both on local and national level. All necessary books in tourism, software and equipment were purchased by the Tourism Department within the project.

 

In terms of research component, 5- students defended their thesis with topic related to sustainable rural tourism, 3- PHD students working on their thesis with related topic. Students and staff of the KEU took the course on “Academic English Writing and Publishing” which was developed within the project.  Since the beginning of this year, the Tourism Department is conducting the research project with topic “Sustainable development of the tourism in rural areas of the Kyrgyz Republic” ordered by the Ministry of Education and Science of the KR and planning to publish a book.

Besides of all, the dissemination component was successfully fulfilled by all partners on their websites, on social media, organized workshops, seminars, conferences, summer schools in three countries, round tables, moreover, good communication and friendship among partners, excellent coordination are played a key role on networking and cooperation between universities as well as aroused interest of private and public sector which slowly leads to small reduce the gap between universities and enterprises.

The Kyrgyz Economic University expresses its gratitude to the Norwegian Government and staff of South-East University of Norway for such a great project and to all partners from Georgia and Kyrgyzstan for friendly cooperation, hospitality and joyful moments we experienced during the project and hope to continue our collaboration and friendship furthermore! Thank you!