Education and research
Higher education institutions play a key role in society contributing to economic growth and the eradication of poverty. The focus on higher education complements the EU’s aid programmes for basic education. These programmes are driven by the second Millennium Development Goal, which seeks to achieve universal primary education.
The sector thrives on the cross-fertilisation of ideas and on the exchange
of students and academics. International partnerships are becoming increasingly
important in the context of globalisation, which is why the EU regards higher
education, in its Regional Strategy Paper for Assistance to Central Asia for the period 2007-2013 
[277 KB] , as a strategic sector for development cooperation with
Central Asia countries.
EC programmes in the field of higher education and research
| News ! The European Commission developed a publication [8 MB]  detailing the grants available for Central Asian Students
to study in the EU. The Compendium is also available in Russian. |
The EU has much to offer its partners when it comes to higher education and scientific research. Europe has well-established world-class universities and is a leader in research and innovation. These advantages are used to develop joint approaches with Central Asian institutions that will strengthen the EU- Central Asia relationship and support development cooperation activities.
The European Commission is already funding two programmes in the field of higher education in Central Asia:TEMPUS and Erasmus Mundus Partnerships (Action 2) which is formerly known as Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window (EMECW).Whereas Erasmus Mundus Partnerships (Action 2) focuses on individual mobility of students, professors and researchers, Tempus promotes institutional cooperation thereby concentrating on the reform and the modernisation of higher education systems according to the Bologna principles.
The European Commission is also funding the Central Asia Research and Education Network (CAREN). Launched in January 2009, the Central Asian Research and Education Network will provide high speed internet for universities and research centers. CAREN will allow researchers, educators and students in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan not only to collaborate among each other but also to engage in joint projects (telemedicine, distance education, etc.) with their peers in Europe and in other parts of the world.
- More information on the TEMPUS programme
- More information on Erasmus Mundus Partnerships (Action 2)
- More information on CAREN