From June 10 to 12, 2025, a three-day workshop was held at S. Naamatov Naryn State University within the framework of the Erasmus+ project "Development of Financial Autonomy of Universities in Kyrgyzstan" (DEFA). The event brought together representatives of 10 universities from Kyrgyzstan and partner institutions from Europe.
The program included plenary sessions, presentations on project implementation results, financial reporting, discussions on models of financial autonomy, and strategic planning for the next project phase.
On the first day, June 10, the workshop opened with welcome speeches by the NSU Rector, Dr. Tilek Isabekov, and the project coordinator, Dr. Nurlan Omurov. The day continued with in-depth presentations by European partners: the University of Florence (UNIFI), Otto von Guericke University (OVGU), and the European Centre for Research and Initiatives (CESIE).
The second day, June 11, focused on transparency and accountability. All Kyrgyz partner universities presented reports on financial expenditures and co-financing. A key part of the day was the Project Management Board (PMB) meeting and the coordinators' session, during which joint actions were developed and partner responsibilities reviewed.
The third day, June 12, was dedicated to the presentation of financial autonomy models developed within the project and discussions on their adaptation and applicability in the Kyrgyz context. Special attention was paid not only to sustainability but also to uniting the efforts of all partners for effective project implementation. The day concluded with an informal team building event and a cultural program in the Salkyn-Tor Natural Park.
The workshop's conclusion marked a new stage in the DEFA project's implementation. Its results are already being put into practice, and the strengthened partnerships lay a solid foundation for sustainable reforms in the higher education system of Kyrgyzstan.
