ERASMUS+ CBHE Project – MECAS
Development of Master Curricula in EcoInformatics for the Aral Sea Basin
Project No.: 101237042 (ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE)
The Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers – National Research University (TIIAME NRU) is an active partner in the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) project MECAS – Development of Master Curricula in EcoInformatics for the Aral Sea Basin (Project No. 101237042).
The project aims to strengthen higher education capacities in Central Asia by developing an innovative Master’s programme in EcoInformatics, integrating environmental sciences, geoinformation technologies, remote sensing, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital decision-support tools for sustainable management of the Aral Sea Basin.
The MECAS project is coordinated by Nukus State Technical University (Uzbekistan) and brings together leading universities and organizations from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
Project Objectives
Develop a modern Master’s curriculum in EcoInformatics.
Strengthen academic capacities through international cooperation.
Introduce innovative teaching, learning, and assessment methodologies.
Enhance digital competencies in environmental monitoring and management.
Improve cooperation between universities, industry, and stakeholders.
Support sustainable environmental development in the Aral Sea Basin.
Project Partners
Nukus State Technical University (Project Coordinator, Uzbekistan)
TIIAME National Research University (Uzbekistan)
Urgench State University named after Al-Khwarizmi (Uzbekistan)
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Kazakhstan)
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University (Kazakhstan)
Politecnico di Torino (Italy)
Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal)
OBREAL Global Observatory (Spain)
Work Packages
The project consists of five major work packages:
WP1 – Preparation
Analysis of partner capacities
Review of existing Master’s programmes
WP2 – Development
Development of the EcoInformatics Master’s curriculum
Preparation of teaching materials and assessment tools
Development of stakeholder training courses
Launch of the Master’s programme
Academic staff training
Stakeholder capacity-building activities
WP3 – Quality Assurance
Establishment of Quality Assurance Groups
Development of the Quality Assurance Plan
Internal quality monitoring
Independent external project evaluation
WP4 – Dissemination
Public awareness and media activities
Scientific publications
Student competitions and olympiads
Final international conference
WP5 – Project Management
Project coordination
Administrative and financial management
Interim and final reporting
Current Status
The project officially started on 1 November 2025 and will continue until 31 October 2028.
During the initial implementation phase, kick-off online meetings were successfully held, preparatory activities (WP1) were completed, and progress reports for quality assurance, dissemination, and project management activities were submitted.
During 2026, the consortium is focusing on:
Academic training at Politecnico di Torino (Italy) and Universidade da Beira Interior (Portugal);
Procurement of modern educational and research equipment;
Development of EcoInformatics courses;
Preparation for launching the new Master’s programme;
Organization of dissemination events and stakeholder engagement activities.
Through its participation in MECAS, TIIAME NRU contributes to strengthening international academic cooperation, modernizing higher education, and promoting innovative digital solutions for sustainable environmental and water resources management in the Aral Sea Basin.
Official Project Website