Geoinformatics Teacher Training in Almaty

Within the EU-TEMPUS MSc development project „Geoinformatics: Managing Energy, Resources, Environment“ (GEM) a one-week training as part of a faculty development initiative targeting Central Asian Universities has been started today. The Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi in Almaty is hosting 35 participants from seven universities in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. European partners from Austria, Hungary and the Netherlands

The main objective of GEM is to develop and implement an international, interdisciplinary postgraduate curriculum in Geoinformatics, with a clear focus on the management of critical resources. In particular, important pillars of the success of emerging economies in the Central Asia region will be addressed. The program will focus on the contents, teaching methods, academic integrity and a collaborative form of delivery as well as laying the foundation for lifelong learning in accordance with the Bologna Declaration.

From late 2011 onwards, these faculty members will instruct and supervise master’s students in Geoinformatics in their home institutions. For the first time, these universities will offer a joint curriculum framing an international MSc integrated through summer schools, elearning media and close cooperation of teaching faculty.