ProInCa consortium consists of European(4) and Kazakhstan(5) HEIs, and associated partners(13) representing variety of different stakeholders. The project is led by JAMK(FI), and supported by the Kazakhstan(KZ) Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health. ProInCa strives for solving the defined problems in KZ nursing HEI and nursing practice: lack of collaboration and knowledge sharing between the HEI’s, health service sector and international nursing research community; lack of capacity of HEI’s teaching staff teaching for evidence based nursing, nursing research and nursing management; absence of nursing research; undeveloped leadership in nursing. The wider objective of the project is to develop the sustainable innovation capacity of KZ Medical Universities for the modernization of nursing. Significant results and long-term benefits are expected within the 3-year project: • Sustainable mechanisms for collaboration and knowledge sharing between national and international academic nursing community and society• Increased relevance of HEI nursing education for the labor market through the implementation of EBN• Strengthened role of Medical Universities in building evidence based nursing research activities in health services• Improved capacity and relevance for the labor market on nursing leadership and management in health care transition• New sustainable system of nursing leadership and management in health care with collaboration of HEI's and Health care facilitiesFour development work packages generate several outcomes, which provide sustainable results as collaborative structures and persistent bodies to the HEIs and health care facilities (e.g. Center of Nursing Excellence, Nurse Leaders´ National Network); national capacity building materials for HEIs and HCF (e.g. nursing research, evidence based nursing, leadership), and reports with policy recommendations (e.g. nursing research infrastructure, nursing management system).

In the framework of the decentralisation policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan policymakers and university leaders are looking for a strategy for greater institutional autonomy.The Consortium wants to undertake this project in order to provide insights about models of University Autonomy (UA) of EU universities, offering a bottom-up approach, which is new compared to previous experiences. The planned activities for the achievement of the goals are:Needs analysis. The method is by a survey among universities using the EUA University Autonomy Scorecard.Development of the model of autonomy. This is the core activity of the project. The aim is to create a common space for the exchange of ideas and visions about UA.Discussions between the Partners and the Ministries. The EU perspective in the field will help to find feasible alternatives and to reach consensus about the basis for a model of UA for Kazakhstan.Development of a basic model of autonomy. The Model will define the degree of freedom of decision in the areas of Financing, Academic, Organization and Staffing.Implementation. Pilot Universities will start the process and introduce the changes.Guidance material. The material will provide practical elements to support HEIs in Kazakhstan in their efforts to implement the governance reform.Formation of the Autonomy Implementation Consulting Group. The aim is to provide consulting to other Kazakh universities during their implementation phase.A National Conference in Astana to disseminate the Autonomy Model and the Pilot Implementation experiences.The project will promote an inclusive approach to UA by foster dialogue between the HE sector and the public authorities, to ensure ownership of the reforms. It will foster the transfer of good practice from EU countries to Kazakh institutions, to promote efficient and effective governance reforms. These aspects are made possible only through a large-scale, structural project under E+ CBHE actions