Call for participants to workshop on:
“Energy security: Sustainable management of natural resources”
Under the Researcher Links scheme offered within the Newton – Al-Farabi Partnership Programme,
we will be holding a workshop on the above theme in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 27 June to 1 July 2016.
The workshop is being coordinated by Prof Reza Kouhy (from the UK) and Prof Dr Galiya
Movkebayeva (from Kazakhstan), and will have contributions from other leading researchers. We are
now inviting Early Career Researchers from the UK and Kazakhstan to apply to attend this workshop.
All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Newton – Al=farabi Partnership
Programme. The application form, with more details on the initiative, can be accessed through this
link. Both UK and Kazakhstan participants should sent their applications to both Dr Anastasia
Koulouri (a.koulouri@abertay.ac.uk) and Dr Zhibek Bimagambetova (z.bimagambetova@inbox.ru)
before the deadline of 15 April 2016.
The workshop focuses on the key dimension of energy security that is the expansion of energy
production from renewable energy sources (RES). The workshop addresses Kazakhstan’s need to
better understand why RES are critical for its energy security, and how to create conditions for
expanding their use, as the nation’s decreased reliance on oil will ensure greater economic and
environmental sustainability. The main objectives of the workshop are to build participants’ research
capacity, inform Kazakhstan’s energy security policy, and foster collaborative work between
participants and the partner institutions.
Participants from various fields, such as economics, management, business, energy, sustainability,
ecology and others are welcome to apply.
Workshop Title: “Energy security: Sustainable management of natural resources”
UK Co-ordinator: Prof Reza Kouhy, Dundee Business School, Abertay University
Partner Country Co-ordinator: Prof Dr Galiya Movkebayeva, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Discipline: Multi-disciplinary
Dates and venue: Almaty, Kazakhstan, 27 June – 1 July 2016
As part of the Newton Fund, the British Council and JSC Science Fund have launched a five-year
programme to encourage international research collaboration between ambitious researchers
from the UK and Kazakhstan.
The Newton – Al-Farabi Partnership Programme provides opportunities for early career
researchers from the UK and Kazakhstan to interact, learn from each other and explore
opportunities for building long-lasting research collaborations.
Successful applicant organisations from the UK and Kazakhstan are now recruiting early career
researchers and welcome applications to attend the above workshop.
The workshop focuses on the key dimension of energy security that is the expansion of energy
production from renewable energy sources (RES). The workshop addresses Kazakhstan’s need to
better understand why RES are critical for its energy security, and how to create conditions for
expanding their use, as the nation’s decreased reliance on oil will ensure greater economic and
environmental sustainability. The main objectives of the workshop are to:
 Enhance the participants’ capacity in the field of renewable energy sources, identify key
research gaps and emergent themes, and focus participants’ research agendas on clean energy
and sustainability;
 Develop recommendations to support Kazakhstan’s energy security and disseminate them to
stakeholders;
 Foster long-term sustainable collaborations between participants and the partner institutions
aimed at joint research projects and publications on renewable energy sources.
Participants from various fields, such as economics, management, business, energy, sustainability,
ecology and others are welcome to apply.
The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for sharing research expertise and networking.
During the workshop early career researchers will have the opportunity to present their
research in the form of a short oral presentation and discuss this with established researchers
from the UK and Kazakhstan. There will be a focus on building up links for future collaborations
and participants will be selected on the basis of their research potential and ability to build
longer term links.
The Newton – Al-Farabi Partnership Programme will cover the costs related to the participation
to the workshop, including: travel (both international and local), accommodation and meals.
Costs for the visa will be covered; however participants will be responsible for making all the
necessary arrangements. Although this cost will not be covered by the British Council,
participants are encouraged to purchase an adequate travel and medical insurance. The British
Council accepts no responsibility for any problems which may occur when the participants are
in-country.
Application and Deadline:
The full application below must be completed and submitted by the 15 April 2016. Both UK and
Kazakhstan applicants should sent their applications to both Dr Anastasia Koulouri
(a.koulouri@abertay.ac.uk) and Dr Zhibek Bimagambetova (z.bimagambetova@inbox.ru).
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applications must be submitted using the Researcher Links application form
- Applications must be submitted before the above deadline
- Participants must be early career researchers: Early Career Researchers are defined as holding
a PhD or having equivalent research experience, and having up to 10 years post-PhD research
experience, where applicable (though allowances are made for career breaks). Kazakhstani
participants must have a Candidate of Science degree or a Doctor of Science degree or a PhD or
equivalent research experience.
- Participants must have a research or academic position (either a permanent post, research
contract, or fellowship etc.) at a recognised university or research institution either in the UK
or in Kazakhstan.
Quality Assessment:
- Experience and relevance of the applicant’s research area to the workshop
- Motivation and contribution to the aims of the workshop
- Description of the long term impact expected through the participation in the workshop
- Ability to disseminate workshop’s outcomes
Selection Procedure:
- Eligibility check
- Quality assessment
Notification of results:
Applicants will be notified by email by 26 April 2016.
Equal Opportunities:
The British Council is committed to equal opportunities and diversity in all its activities and this
includes the avoidance of any bias in the assessment of applications due to gender, disability, racial or
ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Participants’ selection undertaken by workshop
organisers must not contravene this policy. Extra support to enable participation of early career
researchers with special needs will be given.
Please see the link below for details on the relevant British Council policies
http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/about-us/jobs/folder_jobs/register-as-a-consultant/policies-forconsultants-and-associates/