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Federico II University welcomed with great enthusiasm colleagues from ten universities and research institutes in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as part of the new Erasmus+ CirculEC project. The project, which will end in 2026, aims to develop an innovative university Master’s degree focused on the strategic themes of sustainable development and the circular economy, with a multidisciplinary approach that combines skills and knowledge from different areas of expertise.

The first meeting in Italy with Asian colleagues was held on Monday, 29 April, at 10.30 am, at the TeMA Lab of the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. The meeting saw the participation of very representative institutional figures, including the Kazakh rectors of Alikhan Bokeikhan University and Ualikhanov University, two vice-rectors from the East Kazakhstan Technical University and the Tajik State University of Commerce, and some faculty deans of the universities involved.

“The collaboration with the universities of Central Asia represents an extraordinary opportunity, for our University and our DICEA Department, to transfer not only know-how but also visions and ways of approaching scientific research”, declared Professor Carmela Gargiulo, scientific manager of the project together with engineer Gerardo Carpentieri. “This project will allow us to exchange knowledge and skills in a strategic sector such as sustainable development and to strengthen ties with a rapidly growing geographical area”.

The Asian partners have already expressed their willingness to start further collaborations with the Federician community, expanding the synergy in research, training and third mission. The event represents a further step forward in the internationalization path of Federico II University, which confirms itself as a point of reference in the international academic panorama, always attentive to promoting valuable cultural and scientific exchanges.

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The event began on April 22 at FHM in Bielefeld (Germany), continuation in Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and Naples (Italy).

Participants: Central Asian delegation from four countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan).

The aim of this international project meeting is, in addition to getting to know the project participants in real life for the first time, above all to pass on the basics of circular value creation in research and teaching as well as from the economic perspective in Europe to the Central Asian partners.

The following objectives will be pursued during the project period from 2023-2026:
- Integration of circular economy concepts into university coursework in Central Asia
- Organizing events and workshops at universities in Central Asia on the circular economy, such as lectures, panel discussions or hackathons, to get students and teachers interested in this topic.

The program in the two days in Germany started with a general presentation of the Fachhochschule des Mittelstandes and its activities in relation to Circular Economy in research and teaching. This program included a workshop to work out the transferability of a course “Circular Economy” in Bielefeld for course programs in Central Asia. On the second day, the participants were given an insight into existing FHM research projects in the field of circular value creation. Here they had the opportunity to talk to a practice partner: Marc-Philip Lamm from the bakery Lamm in Bielefeld was on hand to answer questions on the topic of sustainable and circular value creation in his own company. After an overview of the EU project “Linear 2 circular”, the participants had the opportunity to try out the tested tools and methods for themselves. The second joint day was rounded off with a presentation by Armando Garcia Schmidt from the Bertelsmann Stiftung, who gave the participants an understanding of the political and legal situation in Europe and Germany on the topic of the circular economy.

The event concluded with an idea phase in a design thinking format to integrate what they had heard into their own projects and learn from the wide-ranging input. The participants worked according to the prevailing motto in the field of the circular economy: “If we could build an economy that uses things instead of consuming them, we could build a future.” (Ellen MacArthur, Ellen MacArthur Foundation).

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Last Thursday 25th and Friday 26^th of April we have had in the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the USC the visit of a delegation of 11 universities from Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. This visit has been carried out in the framework of the CirculEC project funded by the Erasmus CBHE programme of the European Commission. The aim of the project is to enable these 11 Central Asian Universities to improve training in circular economy and sustainability. The first day of the visit focused on training the attendees on Circular Economy and Sustainability and the different aspects of this topic, which ended with a participatory session to identify the needs of the universities and the subsequent debate. On the second day, a visit was made to the Water Technology Centre, CETAQUA - VIAQUA where the participants had the opportunity to attend the explanations given by Teresa Alvariño, director of the Centre, on the operations and projects of CETAQUA. Also in attendance was Ana Botas, manager of VIRATEC, Clúster Gallego Soluciones Ambientales y Economía Circular (Galician Cluster for Environmental Solutions and Circular Economy) with whom a productive debate on potential forms of cooperation for mutual learning took place. The visit ended with the summary of the visit and the closure of the event.

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Subject: Launch of the International Workshop Series on Implementing Circular Economy Disciplines

We are thrilled to announce an upcoming series of transformative workshops designed to integrate Circular Economy disciplines into academic curriculums. This prestigious event will embark on a journey starting in Bielefeld, then moving to Santiago, and concluding in Napoli. Spanning two days at each institution, our aim is to foster a rich exchange of experiences among EU partners on the successful incorporation of Circular Economy (CE) principles into educational frameworks.

Event Overview:

- Title: International Workshop Series on Circular Economy

- Locations: Bielefeld, Santiago, Napoli

- Duration: Two days per institution

Objective:

The primary goal of this series is to empower professors from the Central Asia region with the necessary skills to effectively implement changes within their curriculums, ensuring the success and sustainability of Circular Economy education projects. This initiative is a stepping stone towards creating a more sustainable and resilient future through education.

Join Us:

This series is a unique opportunity for educators, sustainability advocates, and policy makers interested in the practical implementation of Circular Economy concepts within higher education. Together, we can pave the way for a sustainable future through collaborative learning and shared experiences.

Understanding the importance of accessibility to the event, Project partners will provide live streaming of the workshop series. This will be complemented by a video recording made available post-event, ensuring educators worldwide can benefit from this initiative"

Stay Connected:

Follow us on social media and check our website regularly for the latest updates, registration information, and specific dates related to the workshop series. Join the conversation and be part of our growing community committed to sustainability education.

[https://www.facebook.com/people/Circulec/61557848549316/]

[https://twitter.com/Circulec]

We look forward to welcoming you to this enlightening journey through Circular Economy education.

Warm regards,

CirculEc Project Team

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The workshops are designed to bridge the gap between current academic offerings and the pressing need for sustainability through the principles of Circular Economy. Participants, including professors from the Central Asia region, will engage in a comprehensive learning experience, sharing the innovative practices of EU partners in embedding CE concepts into their courses.

1. Masterclass on Circular and Sustainable Economy:

The centerpiece of this initiative is the "Masterclass on Circular and Sustainable Economy", which aims to provide educators with the tools and knowledge to integrate CE principles into their teaching.

2. Empowering Educators for a Sustainable Future:

CirculEc is committed to leading the charge in sustainability education. By equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to teach Circular Economy concepts, we are investing in a more sustainable and resilient future," said Madina Yussubaliyeva, Project Coordinator of CirculEc project. "This workshop series is just the beginning of a global movement towards incorporating sustainability into every aspect of education in Central Asia."

About the CirculEc Project:

The CirculEC (Development of innovative curricula and modules in Circular Economy and Sustainable Development) project is aimed to build the capacity of the human capital in the HEIs of Central Asian countries on a circular economy in order to provide staff, students and wider public with skills and competences aligned to the needs of local labour markets and environmental challenges CA countries face.

Project will update current disciplines that HEIs have in the circular economy adapted to the needs of each country (KZ, TKM, TJ, UZ).