Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – November 5-6, 2025

 The BERNICA project hosted two intensive days of knowledge exchange and capacity building with "Global Perspectives in Nutrition & Dietetics Education" at the International Higher School of Medicine on November 5-6, 2025, engaging medical students, young professionals, and faculty members in exploring cutting-edge developments in nutrition education.

The International Days served as a key milestone in the BERNICA project's mission to transform nutrition and dietetics education across Central Asia, providing participants with direct access to European expertise and best practices while showcasing regional innovations and student achievements.

European standards meet Central Asian context
The event opened with keynote presentations from European partners Dr. Manuela Konrad and Daniela Grach, MSc from Fachhochschule Joanneum (Austria), who outlined European standards in nutrition and dietetics programs, and Dr. Indrani Kalkan from Istanbul Medipol University (Türkiye), who discussed international perspectives on integrating nutrition and dietetics into medical curricula.

"These International Days demonstrate the power of cross-cultural exchange in education," stated Dr. Kenesh Dzhusupov, BERNICA Project Coordinator. "By bringing together European expertise and Central Asian perspectives, we're creating educational approaches that are both internationally recognized and locally relevant."

Addressing regional challenges through collaboration
A dynamic panel discussion on Day 1 brought together representatives from all BERNICA partner countries – Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan – to explore critical issues including curriculum adaptation to local contexts, cultural considerations in nutrition education, and pathways to professional recognition for nutrition specialists across the region.

Hands-on learning and innovation

Day 3 featured intensive master classes led by international experts:

• Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice (Dr. Indrani Kalkan) explored the latest research methodologies and clinical applications
• Digital Tools in Nutrition Education (Theresa Draxler, BSc, MSc) demonstrated innovative e-learning platforms and technological solutions
• Community Nutrition Programs (Dr. Arailym Beisbekova) examined practical approaches to population-level interventions

Student excellence on display
A highlight of the International Days was the student research presentation session, featuring selected projects from all eight BERNICA partner universities (KazNMU, TSMU, KMU, BSMI, ATSMU, KhSMU, OSU, and IHSM). The poster session with peer review provided students invaluable experience in scientific communication, with awards presented to the best presentations.

Showcasing innovation across institutions
The Innovative Learning Scenarios showcase demonstrated practical applications developed through the BERNICA project:

• Practice-oriented training models from Karaganda Medical University,
• Interactive blended learning modules from Osh State University,
• Laboratory equipment utilization examples from Tashkent State Medical University.

These presentations illustrated how partner institutions are implementing innovative pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning outcomes.

Building career pathways and future collaboration
The Career Opportunities Panel brought together industry representatives, clinical nutritionists, and researchers to discuss professional pathways in nutrition and dietetics, providing students direct access to potential employers and mentors. The session on collaborative projects planning explored opportunities for future regional cooperation, joint research initiatives, and student exchange possibilities.

Strengthening the regional network
The International Days reinforced the strong collaborative network established through the BERNICA project, with participants from across Central Asia and Europe engaging in knowledge exchange, networking, and planning future joint activities.

"Events like these are essential for sustaining the momentum we've built," noted a participant from Kazakhstan. "They keep our network active, our faculty updated, and our students inspired."

All participants received certificates recognizing their engagement in this intensive professional development opportunity.

For more information about BERNICA International Days and upcoming events, visit https://bernica.org/

Media contact:

Dr. Nazgul Matkerimova

International Higher School of Medicine

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