Circular Economy Takes Center Stage at Central Asian University (CAU)

Date: 10.10.2025

Tashkent, Uzbekistan - 10 October 2025

Central Asian University (CAU) proudly hosted a dynamic Monitoring Meeting of the EU-funded CirculEC Project - "Development of innovative curricula and modules in Circular Economy and Sustainable Development" (Erasmus+ Project No. 101129169) on 10 October 2025 in Tashkent. The event brought together academics, industry experts, and students from across Central Asia and Europe to review CAU's progress in advancing circular economy education through innovative teaching, campus initiatives, and industry collaboration.

The meeting showcased CAU's significant achievements in developing and integrating circular economy modules within its academic programs. Participants explored nine newly developed and updated courses, including Circular Economy & Sustainable Development and Sustainable Business Practices, designed to empower students with practical skills for the green transition.

One of the day's most engaging features was the "Circularity in Play" series-interactive classroom visits, student-led exhibitions, and campus sustainability tours that highlighted how circular principles are being applied across CAU's educational environment. A special certificate ceremony recognized the contributions of students and faculty who helped shape these innovations.

The event also facilitated productive networking and partnership discussions, including dialogues with AKFA Group and HONOR, a subsidiary of Huawei Tech Investment-strengthening links between academia and industry to support Uzbekistan's green economy priorities.

Aligned with Uzbekistan's 2025 designation as the "Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy" and the national Uzbekistan-2030 Strategy, CAU is driving forward its own ambitious initiatives: Climate Action Plan 2030, Net Zero Program 2035, and integrated sustainability teaching within the Business School and the School of Architecture & Design. Over 11 faculty members have co-developed interdisciplinary modules addressing real-world challenges-from waste management and circular business models to green urban planning and sustainable manufacturing.

As part of a regional monitoring tour covering Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the CAU meeting underscored the university's leadership and commitment to transforming education for a sustainable, circular future across Central Asia.

Program of the Monitoring Meeting

09:30 - 10:00 - Registration & Welcome Coffee

10:00 - 10:10 - Welcome Speech
Vice-Rector on Academic Affairs

10:10 - 11:10 - Presentations on Project Activities at CAU

11:10 - 11:40 - Q&A / Feedback Session

11:40 - 12:10 - Summary Session
Yevgeniya Puntus & Karina Nevmatulina, KarUK - Lead Beneficiary WP7

12:10 - 12:40 - "Circular World" Exhibition & Campus Tour

12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch at CAU Canteen

13:30 - 14:00 - Guided Tour to New Uzbekistan Park

14:00 - 14:20 - Departure to Artel Training Center (TBD)

14:30 - 15:30 - Tour of Artel Training Center - Circularity in Practice (TBD)

15:30 onwards - Free Time / Informal Networking