Today, the Ministry of higher and secondary specialized education has hosted a meeting with a delegation headed by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Swiss Confederation to Uzbekistan Mr. Olivier Chave.
The event was attended by the Regional Director of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Anja de Beer, an organization, which coordinates the project in our country, Project Manager at Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, Brieke Steenhof, and the National Program Coordinator of the Swiss Cooperation Office of the Embassy of Switzerland in Uzbekistan, Dildora Abidjanova. The Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education was represented by Deputy Minister Murodullo Kholmukhamedov, who is running the vocational education block.
The main objective of the project is to support ongoing reforms in vocational education in Uzbekistan, develop students' knowledge and skills fit for targeted labour markets, and thereby expand opportunities for obtaining adequate jobs in various branches of economy.
The project is funded by the Swiss Government grant. It is envisaged that the project will be implemented in a step-by-step and systematic way. Both officials of concerned ministries and public organizations, as well as business and the private sector is expected to take part in it.
This process also includes such issues as vocational education management, assurance of quality education, vocational staff training, and the participation of businesses and employers in vocational education.
Given rapidly changing economy and labor market, vocational education requires creative thinking and non-conventional pedagogical approaches applied by teachers. Throughout the project, Swiss experience and know-how should serve as an important catalyst for changes in this area.
The meeting agreed on the basic details of launching and implementing the project.
For your information: Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation is an independent Swiss association for international cooperation founded in 1955 for helping developing countries. Currently, it is active in 32 countries of the world focusing on improving life conditions of local populations.