Universities of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Europe Unite within the Erasmus+ DIANA Project

A kick-off meeting of the international Erasmus+ DIANA project titled “Empowering Women through the Development and Implementation of Entrepreneurship in Rural Tourism in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan” was held at Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau University.

Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau University acts as the grant holder of the project, ensuring its overall management. Kozybayev University is one of the key partners and beneficiaries, responsible for the implementation of the work package “Quality Plan: Evaluation and Improvement”, with the Department of Geography and Ecology playing a leading role.

The DIANA project (2025–2028) is aimed at supporting and empowering women in rural areas of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan through the development of entrepreneurship in the field of rural tourism. The project focuses on updating and implementing educational solutions, developing practical skills, and strengthening cooperation between universities, local communities, and the entrepreneurial sector.

During the meeting, the official launch of the project took place, along with presentations of the DIANA project goals, management structure, and work packages. The participants also discussed the dissemination strategy and held a working session to coordinate organizational issues.

Representatives of universities and organizations from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Portugal, and Germany took part in the event. The next meeting will be held at Portucalense University (Portugal), where the results of surveys and interviews will be summarized to identify key competencies required for training specialists in tourism and women’s entrepreneurship. Training seminars and workshops will also be conducted with the participation of leading European experts in the field of rural tourism.

Photos provided by the Press Service of Ualikhanov University.