Wednesday, March 22, 2017

EPU Central Asia 'Novruz' event in Vienna

The Austrian Eurasia-Uninet (EPU) initiative on March 22nd had invited scholars, students and officials from Central Asia and anyone involved with regional projects to the Austrian University of Veterinary Medicine. The aim of this meeting was the sharing of experiences, building of networks and development of plans for further cooperation.Several gSmart students from Villach used this opportunity to connect with the wider community involved with this region.

Dr Ainura Nazarkulova from the University of Salzburg started the conference with a presentation of the Austria - Central Asia Center of GIScience. She highlighted the overall mission of this center, introduced the GISCA series of conferences and focussed on the capacity building initiatives including Tempus and Erasmus projects as well as the UNIGIS distance learning program.

This presentation set the stage for a series of short presentations on topics like historical as well as modern Silk Road, resource and forest management in the region and cultural specifics connecting the past with the present.

EPU hopefully with continue to support the cooperation of Austrian with Central Asian universities, and to serve as a hub as well as a 'crystallization point' for joint research and capacity building.