Kick-Off Meeting Held within the Erasmus+ DIANA International Project

Higher education institutions of Uzbekistan are actively participating in the Erasmus+ DIANA (Empowering Women through the Development and Implementation of Rural Tourism Entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) international grant project funded by the European Union.

On 2–3 February 2026, the official Kick-Off Meeting of the DIANA project was hosted by Shokan Ualikhanov Kokshetau University in the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the meeting, project partners discussed future cooperation directions, key tasks, work plans, and implementation mechanisms.

Nukus State Technical University has, for the first time in its history, gained the opportunity to participate in a major international grant project under the Erasmus+ programme. The university was represented at the meeting by:

• Dr. Asiya Tureniyazova, Associate Professor, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Head of the Computer Engineering Department

• Alima Shamuratova, Head of the Planning and Finance Department

They actively contributed to discussions on project priorities and management arrangements.

Partner Universities from Uzbekistan

The following higher education institutions from Uzbekistan are participating in the DIANA project:

• Nukus State Technical University

• International Agriculture University

• “Silk Road” International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage

Project Objectives and Significance

The main objective of the DIANA international project is to:

✔️ Enhance digital literacy of women living in rural areas
✔️ Promote women’s entrepreneurship based on green economy principles
✔️ Increase employment through the development of agrotourism
✔️ Contribute to sustainable economic growth

Within the framework of the project, innovative training modules will be developed, capacity-building trainings will be organized, and international experience will be exchanged to implement sustainable development mechanisms.

This project represents an important step in strengthening international cooperation in Uzbekistan’s higher education system, supporting regional development, and increasing the economic participation of women.