A group of Rhine-Waal University delegates go on excursion to Kyrgyzstan
26 representatives of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, including 20 students, visited Kyrgyzstan from 10-18 June 2017. The main purpose for the trip was to foster the development of strong international ties between Rhine-Waal University and two universities located in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The delegation consisted of five professors, 20 students from various bachelor’s and master’s programmes as well as the International Coordinator of the Faculty of Life Sciences. The group spent seven days in Kyrgyzstan and visited Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU for short) as well as MANAS University of Bishkek (MANAS for short), among other destinations. KNAU is considered to be one of the leading agricultural universities in Kyrgyzstan. MANAS offers a wide variety of degree programmes and was founded as a joint venture between Kyrgyzstan and Turkey.
In addition to visiting the two partner universities of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, the delegation was fortunate to deepen their knowledge of both landscape and culture by travelling across the country. That way the delegates could gain insight into the intricacies of rural farming, get to know a number of agricultural companies and appreciate the diverse culture of Kyrgyzstan. A visit to a rice processing plant as well as a jam producer, for instance, offered first-hand insight into the relationship of theory and application, granting the attending students valuable insight and experience. The visit to the walnut forest Arslandbob in the Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan was of special significance and interest due to the fact that Professor Dr Dietrich Darr, Professor Dr Florian Kugler and Professor Dr Florian Wichern are planning to develop a project for use of these forests, together with other partners, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (MWIF).