“erasmus+ халқаро кредит мобиллик: таълим ва илмий

Keywords: Central Asia, culture, heritage, literature, exchange 
Abstract: The Erasmus+ Mobility Project between Leiden University (the Netherlands) 
and the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies (Uzbekistan) was initiated in 2016. It 
involved exchange of 4 staff members from each university that delivered lectures and 
master classes. 

---

9 
 
Qualitative Objectives and Collaborative Outcomes of the Erasmus+ Mobility 
Project between the Netherlands and Uzbekistan 2016-2018 
Project outline 
Leiden University, the oldest Dutch University established in 1575, has extensive 
experience in collaboration with international partners. For the first time in its history of 
more than 400 years, the university welcomed scholars from Central Asia that were 
directly involved in teaching. Participation in the Erasmus+ programme has been an 
essential condition for achieving Leiden University’s internationalisation and 
modernisation ambitions in terms of collaboration with Asian partners. The exchange 
between Leiden and Central Asian scholars united and consolidated the existing 
collaboration between Leiden and Uzbek scholars. In the long run, it raised the standards 
of Central Asia teaching as well. This Erasmus+ Mobility project has directly contributed 
to the creation of Central Asia studies at Leiden University, which is one of very few 
universities in Europe that offers courses specifically dealing with the history, literature 
and material culture of Central Asia. In terms of multi-cultural and gender diversity, this 
ICM project has broadened the cultural awareness of the Leiden academic community 
and has assisted Leiden staff members to directly exchange ideas and collaborate with 
their Central Asian counterparts. The lectures and master classes were visited by Leiden 
staff members who work on related projects funded by the Dutch Research Council 
(NWO) and by the European Research Council (ERC). 
The Erasmus+ Mobility project between Leiden University and the Tashkent State 
Institute of Oriental Studies was initiated in 2016 with the kind support of the chief 
coordinator of the Erasmus Office in Tashkent Dr Aziza Abdurakhmanova and the vice-
rector of the Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies Dr Gulchehra Rikhsieva. The 
project proposal was submitted and granted by the Dutch Organization for Internalization 
in Education NUFFIC. The project was jointly implemented in Leiden and Tashkent by 
the partner universities. It involved exchange of 4 staff members from each university 
that delivered lectures and masterclass at the partner institutions.