The aim of the SPHERA Erasmus + proposal is to facilitate interdisciplinary studies in health engineering and related areas with a focus on improving existing conditions and in-depth knowledge of how to use medical equipment, deliver effective modern sanitation and other public health interventions in urban and rural areas in low-income and transitional economies. The project will build as well capacities that may reduce disaster risks and contribute to better and more targeted public health based relief following disasters. Through the creation of multidisciplinary postgraduate programs in Nepal and Uzbekistan, following the Bologna model (competence-based approach, learning outcomes and compatible with ECTS), the structure of the programs will lead to comparable degrees that will allow mutual recognition and increased students and teaching staff mobility. The partner Universities will be assisted by the EU Institutions to achieve this goal.A series of compulsory modules will develop teachers’ and students’ knowledge and skills in a range of areas. They will able to gain an understanding of the wider issues surrounding public health and how they impact on policy and practice. At the same time, they will be introduced to the principles and practice of public health engineering to bridge the gap between theory, policy and practice and explore medical technologies in hospitals and consider engineering responses to complex emergencies, especially regarding the provision of water supply, sanitary services and shelter. Some of the courses will be developed online by UNic.The ultimate goal of the project is to prepare a new generation of specialist engineers and technicians who will have major positive effects in both the health technology industry sector and the public health system through the appropriate management of emergency situations and safe use of medical technology.

The key problem for all partner countries in FOR21 Consortium is the absence of consistent communication training for future doctors.The Institute of Medicine identifies patient-centered care as one of the essential elements of high quality care. Patients assess the quality of their care largely through their experiences of talking with their physician and they go to practitioners they feel comfortable with. Physicians recognize it is important to acquire new information and technical skills as part of their professional activities, but have paid less attention to learning how to communicate effectively, particularly in challenging situations, such as helping patients make choices, disclosing errors or breaking bad news. They have also not regarded it as a skill to learn. What is needed is significant change in the early training of doctors to embed these new skills sustainably. Above all, the new approaches need to be more patient-centered.FOR21 will start the development of medical curriculum together with educational strategies, methods and tools for building communication competence and social responsibility, aimed to improve doctor-to-patient communication.New system of communication skills training will be introduced into the PC HEIs and will address needed changes in the mode and habits of communication training. Communication Development training Centres (CDCs) will be set up at Partner Universities to train academics to use innovative approaches in their teaching practices and support newly created Patient Centered Communication Skills Programme (PCCSP).PCCSP will bring PC HEIs to transition from lecture-based teaching to learning activities, such as Flipped Classroom, Standardized and Virtual Patients, ICT methods in a fully integrated training regime.Network of CDCs will consistently stimulate curricula of partner and non-partner medical HEIs, to modernise and innovate, in accord with the latest trends in communication competency development.

Countering environmental threats, endemic in Central Asia, is of key importance. Therefore, capacity building in environmental health expertise is warranted. A teach the teacher, interdisciplinary approach is proposed. The HARMONEE consortium will consist of nine Central Asian Higher Education Institutes (CA HEIs) in four different countries and two European Universities. The lack of resources and expertise in has hampered the development of systematic and appropriate MSc education in Public Health. This is essential for appropriate surveillance programmes and advice in tackling these problems. The general aim of the project is the improvement of knowledge and practices in Public Health (involving environmental and occupational health and One Health) in line with current needs and gaps in Central Asian countries. Based on a holistic perspective MSc education in Public Health will be developed by using a Teach the Teacher approach for a sustainable output.The project specific objectives will respond to the main needs that have been identified in the Partner Countries and their different institutes.1. The development of new Msc modules for strengthening of disciplinary skills required in the field of Public Health, such as environmental epidemiology, toxicology, infectious diseases, exposures sciences, occupational health, risk assessment for MSc students.2. Building local capacity by training teachers in the development and running of MSc education in Public Health.3. Improving the level of educational and research competences and skills in participating HEIs within Public Health related fields.4. Fostering and expanding existing regional and international network regarding Public Health education.5. The implementation of an interdisciplinary approach in Public Health education.We expect that PC participants will strengthen their local expertise in Public Health related disciplines and recognize the connectivity between them.