Who:
The thematic study visit will be organised by the National Erasmus+ Office in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the British Council. The Kazakhstani delegation will include representatives from leading higher education institutions (four rectors, two deputy-rectors, two professors) who are also members of relevant Working Groups of the Ministry of Education and Science, accompanied by the National Erasmus+ Coordinator.

Why:
The aims of the study visit will be to look at the UK’s experience of university autonomy, including academic, administrative and financial aspects. The delegation will hope to meet senior university representatives to discuss the normative / strategic aspects of university autonomy, as well as how it is implemented at institutional and departmental level.

The delegation will also hope to explore the possibilities for UK-Kazakhstani cooperation within the framework of the international funding components of Erasmus+, both for their home institutions and for the Kazakhstani higher education sector as a whole.

When:
The preferred dates for the study visit are Monday 15 to Friday 19 December 2014 (not including travel days). Other dates may be possible.

Where:
Given time constraints, the delegation will prefer to visit London and one or two other cities only.

All travel costs for the delegation will be covered by the Kazakhstan National Erasmus+ Office.

UK universities interested in hosting the delegation will be expected to provide a day’s or half-day’s programme, including lunch if relevant and to provide support eg for train station transfers.

UK universities interested in hosting the delegation should contact nc@erasmusplus.kz by Wednesday, 1 October 2014, stating what kind of programme they can offer and any preferences / constraints regarding the timing.

The British Council will support the Kazakhstan National Erasmus+ Office to finalise the list of institutions to be visited and with some aspects of the visit’s coordination. The National Erasmus+ Office will be responsible for all logistical arrangements.