Mr. Saidoqosim Mukhtorov – UNICAC institutional coordinator, presented UNICAC projects results. Emphasizing all the project highlights and impact in developing, boosting internationalisation at IET TSUC. The main achievement, the contribution of the IET TSUC was presented. In continue Ms. Mohinav Gaforova presented the results and impact of the UNICAC for the Khorog State University.
The day continued with getting knowing research potential and interest of Tajikistan, in particular for the IET TSUC, and KhoGU. The vice-director on research and international relations Dalerjon Mirpcohoev presented the research potential of the IET TSUC, main research areas, and challenges and opportunities. In details of currently research activities of the IET TSUC continued the head of the Research department Mr Farukh Kamolov. Also, the head of the newly established Research center Ms Ismoilova Dilbar has presented the mission, aim and strategy of the research center.
Tuija Hirvikoski made a presentation which the Helsinki EU office had prepared for the use of the seminar material also related to the EU funding opportunities specifically for the collaboration between EU stakeholders and Central Asian partners. It was emphasized that more information and other EU partners can be found from the Funding and Tenders Portal or by approaching the European University alliances. As a rule of thumb, for example, when searching for partners for a specific Innovation Action (IA ) call of the Horizon Europa programme, a one-pager making the RDI idea and its impact on global and regional levels clear would be needed to convince the international RDI community. Therefore, it is important to understand the key policy aims of the funding and the call in question. In addition, in the one-pager, one could justify why it would be important to involve Tajikistan in the consortium. Tajikistan’s economy and society, as part of Central Asia, would provide many RDI opportunities for example to test, or scale up and transfer the RDI outcomes more widely and meaningfully. With the help of the one-pager, the European researchers would become aware of those opportunities and the added value of the collaboration.
On the second day, representatives of local businesses also attended the seminar. From the point of view of business life, they presented how local and international research and innovation activities could be increased and, on the other hand, what kind of activities companies expect from higher education institutions.
Tuija Hirvikoski presented also Laurea’s RDI services. As the international RDI funding system is relatively complex and calls for persistence and professional know-how from its beneficiaries, Laurea has developed RDI services for its staffmemebers. Laurea’s administrative RDI system and services were introduced starting with how to create a consortium, find a funding instrument, understand what are the criteria for a winning proposal and how lead successfully an externally funded international RDI project. In addition, a video message from vice-president Mari Vuolteenaho was received with advice on when the research data should be opened and when it should be protected. The EU and OECD have been promoting Open Science and FAIRData for more than a decade, the openness of science, innovation and learning is becoming mainstream in Finland.