DUSHANBE, February 11, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- On Friday February 10, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Umed Davlatzod met here with Mr. Josef Aff, manger the project for development and introduction of sustainable structures for promoting entrepreneurial spirit in Russia and Tajikistan, the European Commission Tempus program, according to the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MoEDT).

An official source at a MoEDT says the sides discussed issues related to developing sustainable structures to foster entrepreneurial spirit with academic community through creation of educational standards and curriculums, raising qualification of teachers and training of teachers for teaching economic disciplines in high schools.

Davlatzod noted that the ministry was always ready to assist with development ad implementation of joint projects in that direction.

Tempus is the European Union’s program, which supports the modernization of higher education and creates an area of cooperation in countries surrounding the EU.  Established in 1990, the scheme now covers 27 countries in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, North Africa and the Middle East.

Tempus funds two types of actions: joint Projects (partnerships between higher education institutions in the EU and partner countries; they can develop, modernize and disseminate new curricula, teaching methods or materials, as well as boosting quality assurance and management of higher education institutions);  and structural Measures (to develop and reform higher education institutions and systems in partner countries; to enhance their quality and relevance, and to increase convergence with EU developments).

Partnerships are made up of consortia of organisations including higher education institutions, businesses, ministries, NGOs, and other organisations working in higher education, in both EU and partner countries.