On February 29  – March 1, 2016 in Astana, the first coordination meeting of ERASMUS+ KA2 (№ 561969-EPP-1-2015-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP) SARUD project participants and partners was conducted, based on S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University. National Scientific and Educational Center of Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Farmers Union, Agricultural Administration of Akmola district and Association of Forestry and Wood Processing "Zhasyl Orman" took part in the work of the forum. A. Baitursynov Kostanay State University was represented by the members of local workgroup: dean of Agro-Biological Faculty N. Khalimov, and senior teacher of Banking and Financing Department V. Godunov.

In course of two days seminar the agreements on key questions of new educational master programme "Sustainable agriculture and rural development" have been made.

The partners of the project, that are going to implement new educational programme are: P. Stolypin Omsk State Agrarian University, Michurin State Agrarian University, Buryat State Academy of Agriculture, S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University and S. Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University.

On April 19-23, 2016 P.A. Stolypin Omsk State Agrarian University hosted kick-off meeting on Erasmus + KA2 561969-EPP-1-2015-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP  «Sustainable agriculture and rural development» (SARUD).

About 24 organizations, including academic, non-academic an associated partners from Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia and Kazakhstan participated in the meeting.

A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University was represented by Zhenis Zharlygassov, Vice-Rector on Research, Science and Academic Affairs, and Niyazbek Kalimov, Dean of Agrarian and Biological faculty, non-academic partners were represented by Alibek Nugmanov, Acting General Director of LСС «Kostanay Agricultural Research and Development Institution» and Head of Economical Department of Agricultural Administration of Kostanay district – Petrukhno T.V.

During the conference situational analyses in agriculture of Russia and Kazakhstan were discusses, as well as the matters of terminology of “Sustainable Development”, directions of master training, contents of modules and disciplines, methods of defining key competencies of future masters; the best European educational programmes on a given direction were presented as well.

Delegation from Kostanay presented a report on “Standards of the Republic of Kazakhstan in field of postgraduate study”, reporter – Zharlygassov Zhenis.

On the 22^nd of April, 2016 the excursion to PLLC “Omsky Bacon”, a leader of regional processing branch, was organized for the participants of the conference.

Within the project, it is supposed to conduct qualification improvement of 4 KSU teachers in European Universities.

In a period from 1 to 3 of February, 2017 Erasmus+ programme educational seminar "Sustainable agriculture and development of rural areas - SARUD" took place in Akhmet Baitursynov Kostanay State University.

The representatives of 11 universities took part in the seminar:

• University of Hohenheim (Germany) – head of the project Martin Dieterich, programme administrator Anna Voitenko;
• Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague – representative Michal Lostak (on-line participation);
• Warsaw University of Life Sciences (Poland) – representative Axel Schwerk;
• K.A. Timiryazyev Russian Agrarian University of Moscow Agricultural Academy – prof. Alexander Merzlov and prof. Nataliya Vorontsova;
• P.A. Stolypin Omsk State Agricultural University – prof. Nina Kazydub and Tatyana Mozherina;
• Michurin State Agrarian University - representatives Galina Korotkova and Inna Sergienko;
• Filippov Buryat State Agricultural Academy – representatives Erzhena Imeskenova and Yelena Ochirova;
• Novosibirsk State Agrarian University – representatives Yuri Rybakov and Yuliya Makurina;
• S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University – programme coordinator Nadezhda Meleschenko and Nataliya Kishko;
• Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University – representatives Anargul Belgibayeva and Nurgul Nurmukhanbetova;
• A. Baitursynov Kostanay State University – representatives Zhenis Zharlygassov, Niyazbek Kalimov, Nagima Sartanova, Vyacheslav Godunov, Gulmira Zharlygassova, Gulshat Shaikhamal, Yelena Kandalina and Zarina Dosmukhamedova.

Within the framework of the seminar, delegation members visited the enterprise LLP "Sadchikovskoye", took part in regional TV programme. Guests shared the thoughts on the analysis of regional labour market and the need in qualified specialists in sphere of sustainable development of rural areas.

From February 27 to March 10, 2017 in University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany, the educational seminars and trainings within the framework of Erasmus+ programme "Sustainable agriculture and rural development" were organized.

The programme of the seminar was intense and included didactical classes on active forms of education, round tables in centres of agrarian education of Federal Land Baden-Württemberg (DЕULA, LEL, LAZWB), and the excursions to organic farms "Alpian Lentil", biosphere reserve park "Schwäbische Alb" and the enterprises producing regional products "Mostetei Kezler", "Alpine Ox", marketing agencies of regional products of Baden-Württemberg Federal Land, farming enterprises involved in rural tourism.

Learners obtained complete information about the University of Hohenheim and  Nurtingen-Geslingen high school, the forms of practice-oriented education in the above mentioned institutions and research stations.

Participating representatives of the universities of Russia and Kazakhstan:

S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Kokshetau State University, Michurin State University, Novosibirsk State University, Omsk State University and Buryat State Agricultural Academy.

Kalimov N.Ye. and Godunov V.V., workgroup members of "SARUD" from A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University also took part in the seminars.

On the dates of June 3-5, 2017, the second interim conference on sustainable agriculture and rural development was held in S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University (Astana).

Over 50 participants got together in Kazakh Agrotechnical University for the purpose of collaborative integrated work on the matters of realization of "Sustainable agriculture and rural development" educational master programme.

This programme is oriented to practical education in field of sustainable development with consideration of needs of the regions and covers basic principles of sustainability: economical development, social development, ecological well-being of rural areas, as well as the aspects of agricultural production.

During three days of work, the participants presented the results and further steps of realization of SARUD master programme, implemented in Russia and the Republic of Kazakhstan (Omsk SAU, Michurinsk SAU, Novosibirsk SAU, Buryat SAA, S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University, Sh.Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University).

In the upcoming academic year, on the basis of 3 universities of Kazakhstan and partner-universities, it is planned to initiate the programme, corresponding to the needs of practice-oriented education in field sustainable agriculture and rural development. The main goals of the training under the programme are to create conditions for improvement of life quality for rural population, to uphold resource potential of primary producers of goods and services and sustainable resource use and preservation of potential of ecosystems.

The conference covered the events of master programme dissemination, training integration, inter-departmental cooperation, suggested topics of thesis works along with other matters of theoretical and practical bases of education. The conference concluded in the visit of specialized exhibition EXPO-2017, as well as the visit to LLP "Agrofirm Rodina".

In conclusion of the report conference, professor of the Institute of Landscape Ecology and Ecology of Plants Martin Dieterich summed up the results. Project coordinator gave a general overwiev of the carried out work on EU project ERASMUS+561969-EPP-1-2015-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP «Sustaniable agriculture and rural development – SARUD», presented further tasks and planned events.

On March, 1-2, on the basis of the Stavropol State Agrarian University, a coordination meeting was held on the international project "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development"

Representatives  from University of Hohenheim(Germany), scientists of six agrarian Russian universities - Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Buryat State Academy of Agriculture, Omsk, Michurin, Novosibirsk and Stavropol State Agrarian Universities, three universities of the Republic of Kazakhstan – A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University, S. Seifullin Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, S. Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University took part in this event.

The meeting was opened by the rector of the Stavropol State Agrarian University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor Vladimir Trukhachev, who noted that international cooperation is one of the main directions of the university's activities. This approach allows us to adopt the best practices of foreign countries in the organization of educational, scientific and industrial activities, share innovative developments with colleagues and strategic partners.

Coordinator of SARUD Project, Professor Martin Dieterich emphasized that the implementation of projects in the field of sustainable development of agriculture is an important stage in achieving sustainable and balanced, taking into account the ecological, economic and social aspects, functioning of rural areas. The work in this direction makes it possible to consider these issues from the positions of specialties and scientists from different countries. Opening of master's program became the basis for training with unique competencies in this field.

Event program on the basis of the Stavropol State Agrarian University included discussion of the reports of partner universities on the development and implementation of training programs for masters; creation of knowledge platform and national network in the field of sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. The participants developed a quality control and monitoring plan for the results of the SARUD and summed up the results of the international project, which provides formation of the prepared personnel for higher education institutions.

Now it is important that after the end of the project the cooperation will remain active, and the quality aspect is characterized by open master's programs: the contingent of students, the employment of alumni.

On May 3 – 6, 2018 Novosibirsk State Agrarian University hosted the final meeting on the European Union project 561969-EPP-1-2015-1-DE-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development" (SARUD), coordinated by University of Hohenheim (Stuttgart, Germany).

A.Baitursynov Kostanay State University was represented by Zhenis Zharlygassov, Vice-Rector on Research, Science and Internationalization, and Niyazbek Kalimov, Dean of Agrarian and Biological faculty, Nalima Sartanova, Associate Professor of  Finance and Banking Department, Ak-Zhibek  Altynbekova, first year master student of "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development" educational program and M. Musabaev, Chief Specialist of the Department of Economics and Analysis of agroindustrial complex, Department of Agriculture of Kostanay Region Akimat.

A.Denisov, the rector of Novosibirsk SAU, opened the meeting. The conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Education Department of Novosibirsk and Tomsk regions.

"Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development - Why does the balance between basics of sustainability play a major role?" panel discussion was organized as an interactive form of training "Trade Square". Presentations were made by four experts with further discussions: Michal Loštak, Czech Agricultural University "Social environment in rural areas - the role in the regional development of rural areas", Axel Schwerk, Warsaw University of Life Sciences "The role of ecology in the interests of sustainable development of rural areas" , Iraida Sangadieva, Buryat State Academy of Agriculture, "Economics as the driving force of regional development of rural areas", Niyazbek Kalimov, Kostanay State University "Agriculture: Advantages and Problems of Sustainability".

A panel discussion on "Agriculture and regional development in Russia and Kazakhstan on the way to sustainability. Way of solving the problems of the future" was also organized. Representatives of non-academic partners of the project from Russia and Kazakhstan took part there.

The round table with master students of the educational program "Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development" was very interesting. Master students shared their views on the relevance of the program and what led them to this choice.

The participants of the meeting visited the flagships of the agricultural branch of  Novosibirsk Region, Ltd. Plemzavod Irmen and Ltd. Skala. They have observed the work of the manufacturer of regional production " Zvenyaschie kedryi Rossii".

On May 6, trainings for teachers were held:

- Professors, Dr. Angelika Thomas, University of Hohenheim: "Advisory services in rural areas."

- Doctor of Economics, Professor Alexander Merzlov, Russian State Agrarian University, Moscow "Approaches to the development of regional programs for sustainable development".

- Candidate of juridical sciences, Assistant Professor Julia Mandra, Stavropol State Agrarian University: "Legal basis for sustainable development of rural areas."

Two more trainings are planned on the basis of Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy on Bioeconomy and on the basis of Buryat State Academy of Agriculture on Agroecotourism.