IGSD Research Fellow Dr. Aijan SharshenovaLink opens in a new window (SHAPEDEM-EULink opens in a new window project) gave a keynote speech at the “Research and Higher Education in Central Asia and the Caucasus” SymposiumLink opens in a new window organised by the Volkswagen FoundationLink opens in a new window in Hannover, Germany on June 10-12, 2024. The Volkswagen Foundation is a private research funding organisation, which supports education and research worldwide. The Symposium took the stock of the 25 years of the Foundation's Central Asia and Caucasus portfolio.

Dr. Sharshenova delivered a keynote speech on making an academic career in Central Asia offering her insights and recommendations to early career researchers from the region. Dr. Sharshenova is a former recipient of the Volkswagen Foundation's research grant.