Special iSSue: ScHOOl OF pROFeSSiONal aND cONTiNuiNG ... · The School of Professional and...

July - SEPTEMBER 2014

QNewsVOl.2 No.3

Special iSSue: ScHOOl OF pROFeSSiONal aND cONTiNuiNG eDucaTiON

UCA Q-NEWS | VOL.2 NO.3 | JUL-SEp 2014

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ContentsThe First Word ........................................................................................................................3

NEwSKassim-lakha to lead planning and Building of uca ...........................................................4Board executive committee Visits central asia .....................................................................5uca Football Team Strong at Regional competitions ...........................................................7Marketing and communications Network launched ..............................................................8

SCHOOl OF PROFESSIONAl AND CONTINuING EDuCATIONSpce: Reaching learners across central asia .....................................................................9Recognised for Best practices by ecDl Foundation ...........................................................10

SPCE TAJIKISTAN220 Graduates from Tajikistan and afghanistan ................................................................... 11First Graduates of practical Business Management programme Recognised.....................12Technical and Vocational programme Builds Skills and Opportunities ................................13

SPCE KyRGyz REPuBlICSpce alumni Win at Start-up Weekend ...............................................................................14Building Health care capacity in Naryn ...............................................................................15

SPCE KAzAKHSTANReturning Kazakhs learn Russian .......................................................................................16

SPCE AFGHANISTANSupporting Good Governance in afghanistan ......................................................................17Badakhshan university continuing education unit Opens ..................................................18

PEOPlEafghan instructor Receives Spce Scholarship ....................................................................19Naryn entrepreneur inspires action and ideas .....................................................................20

RESEARCH AND lEARNINGHuman and environmental Relations in climate change Responses .................................21programme in policy analysis Offered in Dushanbe ............................................................22Mobile Digital library Follows the Nomads’ path .................................................................23

CONSTRuCTIONNaryn Company Benefits from UCA Construction ................................................................24uca Formally Hands Over Dasht Village Road to Khorog Municipality ...............................25

lAST PAGENews Bites............................................................................................................................26uca public lecture Series ...................................................................................................27

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000. The Presidents of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakh-stan and His Highness the Aga Khan signed the International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular and private Univer-sity, which was ratified by the respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. UCA was established to offer an internationally recognised standard of higher education in Central Asia and prepare graduates to contribute leadership, ideas and innovation to the economies and communities of the region. UCA brings with it the commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network.

cover photo: instructor Zamira Sitkinushova (centre) teaches an english Starter class at the uca School of professional and continuing education in Khorog, Tajikistan.

photos on page 21 by Dr Karim-aly Kassam, uca Senior Research Fellow and professor, cornell university.


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The School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) is the Uni-versity of Central Asia’s (UCA) first operational school. This issue of Q-News highlights the impact of SPCE programmes. Its scope reflects the broad reach of SPCE, featuring both young graduates seeking to enrich their learning and seasoned professionals building their credentials.

The School’s focus on entrepreneurship is evident in a variety of sectors, ranging from construction, livestock farming and national competitions. SPCE’s impact through its partnerships with governments is seen in the delivery of its training programmes for civil servants. The School’s com-mitment to strategically strengthen education is firmly rooted in its teach-ing training programmes. Less known, but no less impactful, SPCE’s contributions to other sectors, such as health care, are also featured.

SPCE continues to be our trail blazer programme, initiating UCA’s growing programmes in Afghanistan through vital agreements with government, development and education partners.

We believe you will enjoy the section on People. These stories of SPCE graduates and instructors provide intimate accounts of the impact of SPCE programmes. More often than not, it not just the SPCE qualifica-tion that is valued, but also the experience of learning in a positive and secure environment.

UCA is busy with the construction of undergraduate campuses in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan followed by Kazakhstan. As the founda-tions of these campuses are laid and the buildings take shape, we move forward confidently, knowing that SPCE has created a strong founda-tion on which to build.

Nisar KeshvaniHead of [email protected]

The First word

Q-News is a quarterly magazine published by the University of Central Asia. All rights reserved. Every attempt has been made to ensure the information contained herein is valid at the time of publication. UCA disclaims any and all liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omis-sions or discrepancies. For permission to re-publish UCA Q-News stories or request high resolution images, please contact: Nisar Keshvani, Head of Com-munications: [email protected]

Editorial Team:Managing Editor: Nisar KeshvaniEditor: Sia NowrojeeWriters: Kimberley Fortin, Narmeen Lakhani, Daler Qubodbekov, Aline Rosset, Zhamilya ArapovaInterns: Nilufar Bahromzoda, Gulazor GulmamadovaDesign: Mikhail Romanyuk

His Highness the Aga Khan Meets with leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic

The Aga Khan Reviews Progress of uCA’s Naryn Campus

Afghan Civil Servants Arrive in Bishkek for Policy Analysis Programme

GIS laboratory Opens at uCA

and more...

In our next issue:


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The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and UCA announce the appointment of Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha as Executive Chairman of UCA’s Board Executive Committee. Kassim-Lakha will lead the planning and building of UCA campuses in Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Repub-lic and Kazakhstan.

Kassim-Lakha is a long-time supporter of UCA, and was involved in the negotiations of the international treaty that led to its establishment by the governments of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan and His Highness the Aga Khan. Continuing his commitment to the region, Kassim-Lakha was recently appointed Head of the AKDN Diplomatic Representation in the Kyrgyz Republic.

As Founding President of Aga Khan University (AKU), the first private university chartered in South Asia, Kassim-Lakha led its planning, build-ing and operations for nearly three decades. AKU was established by His Highness the Aga Khan and has campuses in Pakistan, East Africa and the United Kingdom.

Kassim-Lakha has served in senior positions in

Kassim-lakha to lead Planning and Building of uCA

the Pakistan government, including as the coun-try’s Minister of Education, and as Minister of Science and Technology in the caretaker govern-ment in 2007-8.

In 2001-2, as Minister of State, he led the Pa-kistani task force which recommended reforms to higher education in the country, resulting in major structural changes in universities and the creation of the Higher Education Commission, of which he was a member from 2007 to 2011.

Kassim-Lakha chairs the board of Pakistan Cen-tre for Philanthropy and is a Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto. He recently retired from the board of the International Baccalaureate Or-ganization, following two successive terms.

In recognition of his academic and social work, Kassim-Lakha has received honorary degrees from McMaster University, Canada and the Aga Khan University. His awards for distin-guished service include Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz from the President of Pakistan and Officer of the National Order of Merit from the President of France.

Mr Kassim-lakha presents his credentials to erlan abdyldayev (right), Minister of Foreign affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

“It is His Highness the Aga Khan’s expectation that UCA should benefit from lessons learnt from AKU and other world renowned universities. With UCA, we plan to bring the best of global education to Central Asia.”

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Naryn Vice-Governor chinara abdraimakunova and Board executive committee members briefed by Kuban Sydybaev, a member of uca’s core construction team.

Naryn Vice Governor and uCA Board Visit Naryn Campus Site

On 4 July 2014, BEC members and the Naryn Vice-Governor Ms Chinara Abdraimakunova toured UCA’s main campus in Naryn, located on a spectacular site along the Naryn River.

The visitors were briefed on construction pro-gress and the engagement of local contractors and a workforce primarily made up of Naryn resi-dents. They examined the concrete works on the academic building, excavations for dormitories and on-site equipment, and toured the interna-tional standard welfare facility, which includes a commercial kitchen and cafeteria.

The Committee visited the School of Profes-sional and Continuing Education (SPCE), which offers programmes leading to professional qualifications and skills improvement. SPCE has enrolled over 19,000 learners in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2006. Archaeologist Dr Kubat Tabaldyev of Manas University, who, with UCA, is producing an archaeological map of the campus site and exca-vating relevant sites, briefed the visitors. Excava-tions and carbon dating have shown continuous

Board Executive Committee Visits Central Asia

settlement on the site since the Stone Age. With continuous archaeological monitoring, University buildings are being constructed on land parcels with no historical importance. Archaeological ex-cavations will be integrated into cultural heritage courses, offering students a unique opportunity for hands-on archaeological exploration. Abdraimakunova noted, “We are grateful to UCA for its commitment to develop Naryn Oblast. I am pleased with recent construction develop-ments and the archaeological findings on site are important for preserving our heritage.”

Board Pays Courtesy Call on GBAO Governor and Visits Khorog Programmes

The next day, the Board toured UCA’s campus site and programmes in Khorog. The campus site is located 2,100 metres above sea level on land pro-vided by the Government of the Republic of Tajik-istan. They witnessed preparatory works, such as an intensive stone removal and crushing process that has provided employment to 250 residents.

Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, BEC Executive Chairman and Head of the AKDN Diplomatic

The UCA Board Executive Committee (BEC) visited Central Asia in July 2014 to review campus and programme development and to meet with partners. Following meetings at the University’s Central Administration Office in Bishkek, Committee members visited University facilities in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic and Khorog, Tajikistan.


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GBaO Governor Shodikhnon Jamshed meets with Bec members.

Representation in the Kyrgyz Republic, an-nounced, “The Chancellor of UCA, His Highness the Aga Khan, has tasked UCA’s management to accelerate construction of its Khorog campus. Beginning this September, UCA will start work on the foundation of the main academic building. Khorog is a challenging construction site but we are confident that this fully residential campus will open its doors in September 2018.”

The Board visited SPCE, which was launched in Khorog in 2006 and in Dushanbe in 2008, and has since enrolled over 33,000 learners in 120 training courses in Tajikistan. The School is also reaching Afghan learners through its Cross-Border Voca-tional Education in Badakhshan project (see page 19). They toured SPCE’s Technical and Vocational Education Training’s (TVET) state-of-the-art facil-ity, built by TVET apprentices. TVET provides practical experience and employment opportuni-ties through industry and Aga Khan Develop-ment Network (AKDN) partnerships. The facility houses the alumni-run cooperative Zindagi and construction company Sokhtmonchi LLC, which regularly employ or train TVET students. For more information about TVET, see page 13. The Committee visited Mr Shodikhon Jamshed, Governor of Gorno Badakshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) to apprise him of construction and academic developments.

“The GBAO government considers fruitful mutual cooperation with the Aga Khan Development Network in various socio-economic sectors very important. The announcement of UCA’s start of construction is excellent news and received by our people with excitement,” said Jamshed.

The Board Executive Committee oversees the construction and development of the university in the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. The Naryn campus will open in 2016, the Khorog campus will open in 2018 and the Tekeli campus will open shortly after Khorog. Each campus will offer two majors, from among Computer Science, Economics, Communications and Media, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Business and Man-agement and Engineering Sciences. Students will also have the opportunity to study for a minor in Central Asian Studies, Development Studies or Globalisation Studies.

The Committee includes Executive Chairman Kassim-Lakha; Dr Shafik Sachedina, Director of His Highness the Aga Khan’s Diplomatic De-partment; Mr Naguib Kheraj, prominent United Kingdom (UK) banker and board member of the UK National Health Service and Prince of Wales Trust; Mr Nizar Shariff, who has coordinated 50 construction projects for AKDN; and Mr Akbar Ali Pesnani, Head of the AKDN Diplomatic Rep-resentation in Tajikistan.

“Khorog is a challenging construction site but we are confident that this fully residential campus will open its doors in September 2018.”

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UCA hosted its third annual football tourna-ment from 29 to 31 August 2014. Following the inaugural 2012 tournament marking the opening of its international standard sports facilities, the University hosts the competition as part of Kyr-gyz Independence Day celebrations in Naryn. “This is the third year that UCA has hosted this tournament and interest in football has in-creased. Today six teams are representing Naryn neighbourhoods, compared to just three in 2012, when I also participated,” observed acting Naryn Mayor Mr Almaz Shaltaev Suranovich.

The teams included Almabak, Kyrgyz Arab Friendship representing RTS neighbourhood, Pazzakov of Razzakov neighbourhood, Tosh-Bulak, Shaarcha from Sanedip, MDS, MSO and Gorodok neighbourhoods and UCA.

Tosh-Bulak and RTS won the tournament in 2012 and 2013 respectively. This year, UCA beat Raz-zakov 5-1 to win the champions trophy. Three new awards were presented; Orozaliev Sagyn (Razzakov) was honoured as best player, Bek Jusupbek uulu (Almabak) as top goal scorer and Argen Aiyichy uulu (UCA) as best goal keeper.

“In just three years, this tournament has become a popular sporting event in Naryn,” said Mr Grant Robertson, UCA Director of Construction, “Our goal is to create facilities that serve as fo-cal points in the community and as construction progresses, UCA looks forward to more opportu-nities to bring people from the region together.”

uCA Football Team Strong at Regional Competitions

UCA’s sports facilities were physically built by residents of Naryn Town and Tosh Bulak village, managed by UCA’s construction team. The facilities are open to the public and will be used by UCA students when the campus opens in September 2016.

SPCE Naryn wins Third Place in local Football Championship

On 4 June 2014, UCA’s football team placed third in the ninth annual championship of the Naryn Oblast Football Federation. This was the second time UCA participated in the event, an advanced league of 25 teams. The league took place from February to May.

The teams represented prominent public and pri-vate organisations in Naryn. UCA’s team com-prised of staff from the School of Professional and Continuing Education and the Construction and Facility Division. Following intense train-ing, the team moved up from twelfth to third place. First place went to Kerbem and second to Naryn Telecom.

“In addition to increasing sportsmanship within the Naryn community, the competition brought UCA staff from different departments together. We had the largest crowd of support-ers in the league, demonstrating our strong sense of solidarity,” said team captain Rysbek Shamuratov.

The uca team with the champion’s trophy on Kyrgyz independence Day.


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Head of communications Nisar Keshvani (second from the right) leads discussions with representatives from eight university locations during the Network meeting.

On 16 September 2014, 24 University staff mem-bers in Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan participated in the UCA Market-ing and Communications Network’s inaugural meeting. It was hosted in Bishkek, with video-conferencing to eight University locations.

“Online conferencing is an excellent way to overcome the geographical distances between our campus locations,” said Chyngyz Usubaliev, Construction and Facilities Division Liaison Of-ficer, who joined the meeting from Naryn.

The Network is a strategic initiative of University Marketing and Communications. Designed to improve internal communications across UCA and enhance marketing and communications initiatives, the platform equips members with resources, best practices and skills and provides a platform for inter-departmental partnerships and synergies. Comprised of a liaison from each academic and administrative department, the Network meets monthly.

“The first meeting reminded us that UCA is in-deed a regional University,” observed Khairisho Shonusairiev, Learning Centre Manager, who called in from Dushanbe.

Marketing and Communications Network launched

At the inaugural session, Saule Chalbasova and Nazgul Abdrazakova (Institute of Public Policy and Administration) and Farrukhsho Fraidonov (School of Professional and Continuing Educa-tion) shared event planning and management best practices. Narmeen Lakhani (Marketing and Communications) introduced Network members to UCA’s writing and editorial guidelines.

“Building capacity is a core function of Univer-sity Marketing and Communications,” said Nisar Keshvani, Head of Communications, “Each staff member is an ambassador of the University and Network representatives play a crucial role in capitalising our internal synergies. As we move closer to campus openings, we must be ready and able to effectively convey the unique value of the University.”

As part of its capacity building activities, Univer-sity Marketing and Communications conducts staff orientations for new staff and annual workshops on core communications skills. Most recently, writing workshops were held at UCA Naryn, Bishkek and Tekeli. Marketing and Communica-tions also developed communications protocol and resources for staff and partners, such as the UCA Writing Guide and the UCA Editorial Style Guide.

“Each staff member is an ambassador of the University and as we move closer to campus openings, we must be ready and able to

effectively convey the unique value of the University.”

The University of Central Asia’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) is a leading provider of post-secondary, non-tertiary education in Central Asia. SPCE offers 35 programmes in eight areas of study, giving young people and adults professional and vo-cational qualifications that improve employ-ment and income generating opportunities. All SPCE certificate programmes are internationally benchmarked with academic quality and integrity assured through a system of external examiners. The School is also a leading provider of edu-cational literature, having published over 250 textbooks in support of its programmes.

Founded in 2006, SPCE is designed to serve the immediate needs of the communities where UCA’s campuses are being built and to reach the broadest spectrum of learners possible. SPCE has learn-ing facilities in Khorog and Dushanbe, Tajikistan; Naryn and Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic; and Tekeli, Kazakhstan. There are six satellite learning centres in Afghanistan to be established or supported in partnership with Afghan institutions.

The School offers certificate programmes in English for specific purposes, accounting, infor-mation technology (IT), entrepreneurship and tourism, among others. It also offers an appren-ticeship-based technical and vocational education programme (see page 13).

Other key SPCE initiatives include its Interna-tional Computer Driving Licence IT programmes which are delivered regionally (see page 10); the Local Economic and Community Development certificate programme for civil servants across the region (pages 16,17); the Cross-Border Vocation-al Education in Badakhshan programme between Tajikistan and Afghanistan (page 19); the Change the World Around You! social entrepreneurship contest and training programme for youth in the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan; and the Aca-demic Achievement Programme, which is helping prepare students from Grades 7 to 11 for rigorous university entrance requirements.

Since it was founded, SPCE has reached over 71,000 learners in Central Asia. For more information about SPCE, please visit: http://www.ucentralasia.org/spce.asp

Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic

SPCE learning Facilities

Tekeli, Kazakhstan

Khorog, Tajikistan

SPCE: Reaching learners Across Central Asia

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uca Q-NeWS | VOl.2 NO.3 | Jul-Sep 2014

SCHOOl OF PROFESSIONAl AND CONTINuING EDuCATION10

Spce Director Gulnara Djunushalieva receives uca’s Best practices award from ecDl Foundation chairman Jim Friars.

UCA was recognised as an outstanding example of best practice in the Corporate/Private category by the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) Foundation. Gulnara Djunushalieva, Director of UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) received the award at the ECDL Foundation Forum 2014 on 23 May 2014 in Bucharest, Romania. The ECDL Foundation is the certifying author-ity for the world’s leading international computer skills certification programme, ECDL and (outside of Europe) the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL). Offered in 150 countries, ICDL is promoted within Central Asia by ICDL Asia. SPCE is the Accreditation Partner of ICDL in Central Asia. Since 2010, SPCE has reached 1,800 learners through ICDL, producing 850 cer-tified graduates in Central Asia and Afghanistan.

In the Kyrgyz Republic, SPCE has delivered ICDL at 12 test centres and has worked with the government to train teachers, introduce ICDL into secondary schools and produce Kyrgyz-language learning resources. SPCE has delivered ICDL at three test centres in Ka-zakhstan and trained information technology instructors at Taldykorgan Polytechnic College. Since 2011, SPCE has delivered the ICDL pro-gramme at its two Learning Centres in Tajik-istan, and has produced seven Tajik-language

Recognised for Best Practices by ECDl Foundation

ICDL programme modules in its Cross-Border Vocational Education in Badakhshan project. SPCE has established five ICDL testing centres in Badakhshan, Afghanistan.

The ECDL Best Practice Awards recognise exceptional examples of the implementation of ECDL Foundation programmes that help to raise levels of digital literacy and promote ECDL/ICDL in local markets. The Corporate/Private category highlights innovative initiatives that lead to noticeable improvements in digital lit-eracy levels among private sector workers. “UCA’s partnership with ICDL reflects our com-mitment to providing Central Asians with top quality, internationally recognised qualifications and to responding to the needs of the Central Asian market,” said Djunushalieva. “We are de-lighted to be recognised by ECDL for our work in Central Asia and Afghanistan, and to be continu-ing our partnership.”

“UCA’s partnership with ICDL reflects our commitment to providing Central Asians with top quality, internationally recognised qualifications and to responding to the needs of the Central Asian market.”

SPCE TAJIKISTAN


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The 220 graduates following the Khorog graduation ceremony.

SPCE recognised 220 graduates at its ninth graduation in Khorog on 30 August 2014. The ceremony was attended by Mrs Qimat-gul Aliberdieva, Deputy Governor of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), Mr Ghulom Hoshim, Afghan Consul, Mr Saidmah-mud Sadri, Interim Iranian Ambassador and Mr Talopov Alibek, Interim Kyrgyz Ambassador. Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Head of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Diplo-matic Representation in the Kyrgyz Republic and Chair of the UCA Board Executive Commit-tee was also in attendance.

“Cooperation between the Government of Tajik-istan and AKDN began from independence and is constantly improving. The establishment of UCA is a sign of the fruitfulness of this cooperation, and the University will become an international centre of science and education in the region,” said Aliberdieva.

Graduates of SPCE’s information technology programme received internationally-recog-nised International Computer Driving License (ICDL) and London Chamber of Commerce and Industry certificates. Graduates of Ac-counting Technology and Technical Vocational Education programmes received Professional Certificates. Graduates of Cashier/Bookkeep-

220 Graduates from Tajikistan and Afghanistan

ing and English courses received Certificates of Achievements. Graduates of Conversational Russian, German and Chinese received Re-cords of Achievements.

For the third year, SPCE Khorog graduated Af-ghan students in its Cross Border Vocational Edu-cation in Badakhshan (CVEB) programme (see page 19). A total of 48 graduates from Afghan Badakhshan and 12 from GBAO, Tajikistan re-ceived scholarships to enroll in English, account-ing and information technology programmes. Since 2009, 200 Afghan and 35 Tajik instructors have received training, with courses and learning resources for Afghans delivered in Dari.

“SPCE has significantly contributed to profes-sional and vocational education in Central Asia. I am pleased to say that His Highness the Aga Khan has instructed UCA to accelerate campus construction in Khorog. Work on foundations will commence in September and we hope to welcome students in 2018. We are fortunate to have the support of the Government of Tajikistan and the international donor community in mak-ing SPCE the leader in its spectrum of educa-tional endeavour, and count on their support to make UCA a premier institution in undergradu-ate and graduate education and research,” said Kassim-Lakha in his address.

SPCE TAJIKISTAN


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left: Japanese ambassador Takashi Kamada commends the partnership with uca. Right: uca Director General Dr Bohdan Krawchenko (left) with Spce graduate Sayora Zarchabekova.

UCA celebrated over 175 graduates from the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) and the Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP) at its sixth annual graduation ceremony at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe on 28 June 2014.

Guests of honour included Mr Shodikov Ruslan, Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Youth, Sport and Tourism and Mr Akbar Ali Pes-nani, Head of the Aga Khan Development Net-work Diplomatic Representation in Tajikistan and UCA Board Executive Committee member.

Welcoming guests, UCA Director General Dr Bohdan Krawchenko emphasised the University’s commitment to offering internationally-recognised qualifications that meet the socio-economic needs of Tajikistan. He described how UCA programmes are often developed in collaboration with partners who share the University’s vision.

His Excellency Takashi Kamada, Japanese Am-bassador to Tajikistan, highlighted the successful partnership between UCA and the Kyrgyz-Japan Centre for Human Development (KRJC) in deliv-ering a joint Practical Business Management Cer-tificate Programme for the first time in Tajikistan.

The course includes modules on business planning, marketing, financial and human resource manage-ment, information technology and accounting. The 45 graduates of the programme included directors, business managers and entrepreneurs from private companies and service and information technology

First Graduates of Practical Business Management Programme Recognised

sectors. They received their certificates from KRJC Co-Director, Muneo Takasaka. “The course gave me the opportunity to learn new knowledge and apply it to my work. I will share this expertise with my colleagues. The human resource management module demonstrated how a company should work,” said graduate Anzhella Narzullaeva, a manager at Telecom Technology. Five SPCE graduates received the Accounting Tech-nology Certificate, based on International Financial Reporting Standards and only offered in Central Asia by SPCE. The School recognised 35 graduates in English for specific purposes. Through a partner-ship with FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, SPCE awarded Record of Achievements in conversational Russian to 13 Afghan refugees. Graduates of AKHP’s Humanities in English pro-gramme received training in critical analysis, ethical reflection, academic writing and reading. AKHP builds skills to enable graduates to fulfill academic and professional requirements, and to think criti-cally and ultimately redefine those requirements. “Education is the primary vehicle for the develop-ment of civil society. UCA is being designed as an expression of this principle in Central Asia,” said Dr Ariff Kachra, UCA Dean of Academic Affairs, in his address, “A good education improves your life and maybe your family’s life. However, a great education allows you to improve the quality of life in the society in which you live.”

SPCE TAJIKISTAN


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Asror Gulomkovirov grew up in Khorog, Tajik-istan. After independence, he experienced first-hand the lack of economic opportunity. Seeking to enhance his options, with a background in mechanics and experience in construction in Russia, Gulomkovirov applied to the apprentice-ship-based Technical and Vocational Education Training programme (TVET) at SPCE.

“The auto-electrician course taught me new skills and I found the training technique interesting; in the morning, we learnt theory and in the afternoon, we practiced what we had learnt. This helped me de-velop new skills very quickly,” said Gulomkovirov.

After completing his course, TVET encouraged Gulomkovirov to pursue additional training. He is now an assistant mechanic with TVET’s auto mechanic workshop, where he services cars for clients, such as UCA partner, the Mountain Soci-ety Development Support Programme.

Gulomkovirov’s story is not unusual in Khorog. With 590 students enrolled to date in Khorog, TVET provides training, practical experience and employ-ment opportunities through industry and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) partners.

Technical and Vocational Education TrainingTVET was launched in 2008 to build technical capacity and vocational skills that reflect the needs and opportuni-ties within regional labour markets. It follows an apprenticeship model to develop skills in carpentry, masonry, plastering and tile setting, plumbing and metal working and auto-mechatronics. The German Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and International Organization for Migration (IOM) supported its auto-mechanic and plumbing programmes respectively, through provision of equipment. Through its network of partners, SPCE provides apprenticeship opportunities for learners and facilitates employment for alumni. The programme is offered in a flexible format and learners can pursue several fields, building a portfolio of competi-tive qualifications. SPCE has delivered TVET to 1,260 learners in Tajikistan, Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan.

Technical and Vocational Programme Builds Skills and Opportunities

TVET responds to local needs, recently offer-ing courses on seismic strengthening and non-structural seismic reinforcement of buildings and thermal insulation of walls, commissioned by AKDN partners.

TVET’s state-of-the-art 15,000 square metre facility was built by TVET apprentices. It houses the Zindagi cooperative and Sokhtmonchi LLC construction company, which were founded by TVET alumni and regularly engage both appren-tices and alumni. Once apprentices master the necessary competencies, they can join Zindagi, which currently has 78 members.

“The backbone of TVET’s apprenticeship model are the relationships between instructors and alumni, which have led to an unprecedented training and employment network,” noted Ubaid Saidasanov, TVET Coordinator.

TVET apprentices and graduates are changing the building landscape in and around Khorog, building a water tank in Dashti Bolo village, the Presidential Building gymnasium, public toilets in Khorog and a secondary school in Shugnan, and are working on UCA campus construction.

left: TVeT alumni assistant Mechanic asror Gulomkovirov services a vehicle.Right: instructor Daler Sulaimonov with students in the TVeT plumbing and metalwork workshop.


SPCE KyRGyz REPuBlIC14

SPCE alumni won the top three prizes at the entre-preneurial Startup Weekend in Naryn in April 2014.

Forty six participants submitted entrepreneurial ideas to the Startup panel committees. Winners in the preliminary round created teams of other participants to support them. Each team consulted with top business professionals and perfected their business model. The teams presented their final projects to a jury and networked with poten-tial investors and mentors.

Altynai Zholdoshbekova who proposed creating notebooks with covers highlighting the traditions and natural resources of Kyrgyzstan received top prize and $500. Asanbek Tukeshov won second place and $400 for his livestock breeding proposal. Kalyikul Ysyraliev won third place and $300 for his proposal to create a second greenhouse.

All three winners are graduates of SPCE pro-grammes in Naryn. Zholdoshbekova completed a university test preparation course and Tukeshov and Ysyraliev graduated from SPCE’s five-month Entrepreneurship Programme.

“Our goal at SPCE is to build skills that are of value to local markets and the performance of our alumni during the Startup Weekend confirms the value of our programme. The event also highlights the young tal-ent we have in the country,” said Nurbek Nisharapov, Manager of Academic Affairs,SPCE Naryn.

Ysyraliev’s first solar greenhouse was built in 2013 with support from the European Union and

SPCE Alumni win at Start-up weekend

the Aga Khan Foundation, United Kingdom. It was part of the Vegetable Value Chain Develop-ment in Naryn Oblast project implemented by the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme, Kyrgyz Republic.

“Starting a greenhouse to sell organic crops was a dream that I have now realised with many support-ers. My SPCE training gave me business knowl-edge, Startup Weekend provided marketing ideas for my project, and the Naryn village council and agri-cultural department advised me on how to manage my greenhouse. Next, my plan is to build a heating system so I can work in winter,” said Ysyraliev.

Startup Weekend was one in a series of events held across Kyrgyzstan, organised by Startup Invest, Kompanion Financial Group, the Central Asia Free Market Institute and ICCO Cooperation in South and Central Asia. The events were designed to en-courage entrepreneurship in young people. Finalists competed in the national level Get in the Ring event in Bishkek in September. Kyrgyzstan was one of 64 countries hosting the entrepreneurship activity. The winners from each country participated in the final competition in the Netherlands in November.

Three graduates (from left to right) Kalyikul Ysyraliev’s representative, altynai Zholdoshbekova and asanbek Tukeshov of Spce programmes in Naryn won top prizes in Startup Weekend.

“Our goal at SPCE is to build skills that are of value to local markets and the performance of our alumni during

the Startup Weekend confirms the value of our programme.”

SPCE KyRGyz REPuBlIC

SPCE KyRGyz REPuBlIC


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Forty Naryn health care professionals attended English courses at SPCE Naryn, delivered under the Strengthening Health Systems in Central Asia project.

UCA is involved as the region’s leading pro-vider of short-term certificate courses, and as a stakeholder in the quality of health care systems in Central Asia. The University is committed to supporting efforts to build capacity to improve the standard of care in advance of the 2016 open-ing of its Naryn campus and the development of a regional diagnostic centre.

From December 2013 to April 2014, SPCE con-ducted pre-beginner and starter English courses, totalling 120 academic hours of training. Can-didates were selected by the Mountain Socie-ties Development Support Programme, Kyrgyz Republic (MSDSP KG) and included medical practitioners and administrative staff.

The top three SPCE performers went on to Jin-nah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, for a six-day English training programme in obstetrics and gynaecology and neonatology.

Building Health Care Capacity in Naryn

“Being able to communicate effectively in English is important for my professional de-velopment. In Karachi, my colleagues and I were exposed to new terminology. The courses we took at SPCE proved useful in preparing us for our training in Karachi,” said Dr Nurzhan Abdygazieva, Naryn Hospital.

SPCE Naryn will offer participants advanced English courses. It will also deliver information technology courses for health care professionals in 2015 to ensure that technological advance-ments in the health care sector are met with adequate user knowledge.

This training to improve language and technical capacity within the health care sector is part of a larger, five-year Partnership for Advancing Hu-man Development in Africa and Asia – a joint initiative between the Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Government of Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development. The programme is implemented locally by the Aga Khan Foundation Kyrgyz Republic and MSDSP KG.

Medical practitioners and administrative staff in an english-language class at Spce Naryn.

“Being able to communicate effectively in English is important for my professional development. The courses we took at SPCE proved

useful in preparing us for our training abroad.”


SPCE KAzAKHSTAN16

In 2007, Ainur Parakhat left her home in China and returned to her family’s country of origin, Ka-zakhstan. Since her return, Parakhat has enrolled in two Russian language courses at SPCE Tekeli.

Kazakh is the official state language of Kazakh-stan. However, Russian is the second official language and the language of interethnic com-munication. Many institutions conduct business in Russian and, soon after her arrival in Kazakhstan, Parakhat realised that to succeed socially and eco-nomically, she would have to learn the language.

“I have always had a strong desire to learn languages. As an interpreter in a notary office in China, I was able to help my countrymen with documents. However, since I grew up in China, I

local Economic and Community Development ProgrammeUCA is a key training partner of government ministries and state agencies in Central Asia. The Local Eco-nomic and Community Development (LECD) training programme, first developed by SPCE in 2010, equips civil servants with important local administration and budgetary skills, enabling them to serve as key resources within local government and in their communities. LECD has since been broadened from ten to twenty three modules, including Local Budget and Budget Processes, Strategic Planning for Local Economic Development, Management of Municipal Property, English for Civil Servants, Kyrgyz for Civil Servants and Information Technology, and adapted to address the professional development needs of various government agencies. To date, LECD has benefitted approximately 1,350 civil servants in the Kyrgyz Republic, including officials from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy, heads of municipalities and local government officials. A part of this effort was supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Promoting Stability and Economic Opportunity in Kyrgyzstan project implemented by UCA, the Aga Khan Foundation, and the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme. UCA is currently adapting LECD for Afghanistan and Tajikistan under its Research and Public Policy Initiative (RPPI), supported by the International Development Research Centre and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. UCA is working with the Independent Directorate of Local Governance of Afghanistan and the Institute of Public Administration in Tajikistan to deliver LECD.

Student, ainur parakhat (right) received one-on-one instruction from Spce Russian language instructor Dzhamilya Balmasheva.

Returning Kazakhs learn Russianonly learnt Mandarin and Kazakh,” she explained.

Parakhat’s challenge is not unique. Many Kazakh families left Kazakhstan in search of economic opportunity. Those who went to China relied on Kazakh and Mandarin language skills and did not learn Russian. Young Kazakhs returning from the diaspora report facing difficulties due to their lack of Russian language skills.

“Our Russian language classes are fulfilling a critical need of these young, talented people who have returned to Kazakhstan, ready to con-tribute to the development of the country,” said Oleg Lyssenko, Manager of Academic Affairs and Administration at SPCE Tekeli.

As an interpreter, it is even more important for Parakhat to strengthen her knowledge of Rus-sian. In addition to appreciating the opportunity to learn Russian, Parakhat enjoyed the interac-tive and practical teaching methods at SPCE.

“At SPCE, we learned to speak and listen, fill in documents and communicate with each other. The classes are dynamic and involve role-play-ing and social events. I am very pleased with the course and my desire to learn has increased enormously,” said Parakhat.

SPCE Tekeli is located in a 1,190 square metre facil-ity equipped with state-of-the-art learning technolo-gies, two computer laboratories, four classrooms and a 17,300 volume library. Since 2003, SPCE has reached over 15,000 learners in Kazakhstan.

SPCE KAzAKHSTAN

SPCE AFGHANISTAN


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Supporting Good Governance in Afghanistan

His excellency Mr abdul Khaliq Farahi, iDlG Director General (centre left) and Dr Bohdan Krawchenko, uca Director General after signing the agreement.

The Afghan Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) and UCA signed an agree-ment to increase the capacity of civil servants through the delivery of UCA’s Local Economic and Community Development certificate pro-gramme (LECD). The agreement was signed on 5 August 2014 by His Excellency Mr Abdul Khaliq Farahi, IDLG Director General and Dr Bohdan Krawchenko, UCA Director General.

“The capacity development of local governance staff is the primary and essential factor of good governance. We hope this effort will bring about positive change in strengthening governance and further boost the relationship between IDLG and UCA,” said Farahi.

UCA’s SPCE will develop the curriculum and train instructors. IDLG will deliver LECD to District Governors through weekly sessions over the course of a year, representing 30 credits in the European Credit Transfer System.

SPCE has successfully delivered LECD to 1,350 civil servants in the Kyrgyz Republic. UCA is adapting LECD for Afghanistan under its Research and Public Policy Initiative (RPPI), supported by the International Development Re-search Centre, Ottawa, Canada and the Aga Khan Foundation Canada.

“This partnership reflects UCA’s commitment to working with the government to build capac-ity,” said Krawchenko, “The programme will

meet the needs of civil servants and will be the product of close collaboration between Afghan and UCA’s experts.”

UCA has partnered with Afghan government agencies since 2011. The Institute of Public Policy and Administration organised trade policy and negotiations training and a symposium on small and medium enterprises and administers UCA’s Visiting Fellow Programme for Afghan civil servants, under UCA’s Regional Cooperation and Confidence Building in Central Asia and Afghani-stan project, implemented with the support of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development and Aga Khan Foundation Canada.

Under RPPI, research and a symposium on policy processes, co-hosted with the Afghan Ministry of Finance, led to a policy analysis certificate programme to be delivered to staff across vari-ous ministries in 2014 and 2015. The Mountain Societies Research Institute’s Central Asia and Afghanistan Research Fellowship programme supports research informing policy and pro-grammes in mountain communities.

“UCA and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) are committed to working with the Afghan Government and other partners to strengthen institutions and build capacity,” said Mrs Nurjehan Mawani, Head of the AKDN Diplomatic Repre-sentation in Afghanistan, at the ceremony, “This agreement represents another step in that process during a critical time of transition for the country.”

SPCE AFGHANISTAN


SPCE AFGHANISTAN18

A new Continuing Education Unit at Badakhshan University (BU) was inaugurated by His Excel-lency Mr Obaidullah Obaid, Afghan Minister of Higher Education, on 9 August 2014. Also in at-tendance was Mr Shah Waliullah Adeeb, Governor of Badakhshan.

The Unit was established through an agree-ment between BU and UCA and the Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan; UCA’s first formal partnership with an Afghan university. Under the agreement, UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education developed the professional competencies of instructors who will teach at the Unit, leading to international certification.

The Unit will increase access to skills training in Badakhshan, where professional and vocational education opportunities are limited. Beginner and intermediate level courses in Applied English, Ac-counting and Information Technology are offered.

“The Ministry of Higher Education is seeking to delegate more authority to its directorates and sub-educational units to monitor activities,” said Obaid, “This agreement is an important step in

building capacity of BU instructors and at the directorate level.”

The Unit is one of four satellite learning centres in Afghanistan to be established or supported by UCA in partnership with Afghan institu-tions. Three of these, in Darwaz, Ishkashim and Faizabad, were inaugurated earlier this year. SPCE developed curricula and learning resources in Dari and oversaw the professional development of 21 Afghan instructors who teach in the centres.

In the next five years, the learning centres will train over 11,000 learners or 12 percent of the adult population in the target districts. A SPCE alumni survey found that 62 percent of graduates in Afghanistan secured employment after com-pleting SPCE courses.

The learning centres are part of the Multi Input Area Development Global Development Alliance (MIAD GDA) in Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan, an alliance between the Aga Khan Foundation and the United States Agency for International Develop-ment. The programme makes investments across sectors over a sustained period to support long-term stability and growth in Afghan Badakhshan.

His excellency Mr Obaidullah Obaid, afghan Minister of Higher education (centre) inaugurates the continuing education unit at Badakhshan university.

Badakhshan university Continuing Education unit Opens

“This agreement is an important step in building capacity of Badakhshan University instructors and at the directorate level.”

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Afghan Instructor Receives SPCE Scholarship

Math instructor abdulhaq Hatambik enhances his teaching skills at Spce Khorog.

For Afghan native Abdulhaq Hatambik, crossing the border to pursue an education in Tajikistan holds the key to a prosperous future in his home country.

Growing up in the Khushpok village in Ishkashim district, Hatambik knows the challenges facing the Afghan educational system firsthand.

“We studied outdoors, sometimes in tents,” Hatambik recalls, adding that classrooms rarely had proper learning materials. Due to a shortage of qualified instructors, one teacher would often be assigned to teach multiple subjects, despite having little training in that field.

An instructor himself, Hatambik was unable to earn a living in Ishkashim to support his family, despite having a strong background in mathematics and a

hunger to continue his education. The 29-year-old sought advanced training to build the high demand accounting skills needed to succeed in the Afghan job market. He found such an opportunity with UCA’s Cross-Border Vocational Education in Badakhshan (CVEB) programme, now in its third phase.

Hatambik is one of 60 Accounting, English, and Information Technology instructors who received scholarships to take professional development courses at UCA under CVEB III. Participants included 48 Afghan and 12 Tajik learners. A third of the Afghan participants were female, the high-est representation of Afghan women in CVEB to date. The Afghan instructors resided and at-tended courses at UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) in Khorog, Tajikistan from February to August 2014.

“UCA has quality learning materials, well-prepared instructors and the best facilities. Moreover, the society is peaceful, and I feel secure in Khorog,” explained Hatambik. “ I have strengthened my knowledge of accounting and am confident that at the end of this course, I will have the necessary accounting knowledge to find a well-paying job in Afghanistan.”

Alumni surveys show that the CVEB programme does improve employability and livelihoods. A December 2013 found that 62 percent of CVEB graduates were employed, compared to 41 percent before attending the programme. Nearly half of the alumni surveyed reported securing a promotion or new job, or receiving a better salary as a direct result of participation in CVEB.

Cross-Border Vocational Education ProgrammeCVEB was developed to foster cross-border cooperation and improve employability and economic opportunity on both sides of the Afghan-Tajik border by addressing issues of instructor preparedness. Now in its third phase, this multi-year effort was first launched in October 2009. Specifically tailored for instructors of English, Accounting and Information Technology and housed within UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education, a regional training institution equipped to accommodate learners from both sides of the border, CVEB III is guided by a broader strategy of investment in edu-cation and instructor training to improve learning and economic opportunities for the local population. CVEB is an initiative of UCA in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Devel-opment (USAID) and the Aga Khan Foundation USA, with funding from the United States Depart-ment of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA).

PEOPlE


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Naryn Entrepreneur Inspires Action and Ideas

Left: Chubak Jakypov owns the first chicken farm in Jylan-aryk village and produces 300 eggs daily.

Chubak Jakypov is the owner of the first chicken farm in Jylan-Aryk village in Naryn Oblast. With demand in Naryn for 7,000 eggs per day and only five other chicken farms in the area, Jakypov seized an opportunity to generate income for his family and contribute to the economic develop-ment of his village.

In 2011, Jakypov enrolled in SPCE Naryn’s Entrepreneurship Programme and learnt the skills required to expand his livelihood and own a suc-cessful and growing chicken farm.

“Our programme enables graduates to function effectively in local markets. They learn busi-ness concepts, marketing, communications and computer technology and are exposed to new resources and technology, that enhance their potential for success,” said Anara Duisheeva, Campus Head, SPCE Naryn.

In May 2012, Jakypov secured a loan from Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank as an SPCE alumni based on a partnership between UCA and the bank. The loan enabled Jakypov and his wife, Nursida Osmonalieva to expand their farm and buy supplies and chickens. Their chickens pro-duce 300 eggs a day, which are sold in the Naryn market. When chickens no longer produce eggs, they are sold to local butchers.

Since becoming a successful entrepreneur, Jakypov was elected head of his village local governing body (Ailyl Omotu). He is also an ambassador for small business development, encouraging fellow villages to start their own businesses.

Jakypov observes, “Most people own sheep, but chicken farming is efficient as returns on invest-ments are quicker. Chickens also offer multiple revenue streams such as eggs and meat.”

Jakypov plans to make his farm more sustain-able by producing his own chicken feed and developing a system to obtain clean water from local sources.

“We now have more income and more work,” said Osmonalieva, who is an active partner in the business. “When Jakypov became village head, I took on a lot more responsibility. Thank-fully, our children are involved and with their support, we will expand further.”

Looking to the future, Jakypov said, “It would be good to have several people from one village enroll in the Entrepreneurship Programme. They could then conduct a market evaluation, create a sustainable system and complement and support each other.”

“Our programme enables graduates to function effectively

in local markets. They learn business concepts, marketing,

communications and computer technology and are exposed to new

resources and technology, that enhance their potential for success.”

RESEARCH AND lEARNING


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“Climate change is impacting regions with al-ready existing layers of inequities. Communities that did not contribute to causing climate change are at its vanguard and are experiencing dra-matic perturbations. This is apparent in Central Asian mountains,” says Dr Karim-Aly Kassam, UCA Senior Research Fellow.

Speaking on How Can We Anticipate Climate Change in Mountain Communities? Kassam presented findings from multidisciplinary applied research conducted in the Pamir Mountains from 2006 to 2010 as part of the UCA Public Lecture Series, on 27 June 2014 in Bishkek.

Kassam explored the connectivity of human and environmental relations and indigenous ways of knowing through the calendar of the human body, and their relationship to food sovereignty, sustain-able livelihoods and responses to climate change. He highlighted possible contributions from bio-logical and social sciences and the humanities to building anticipatory and adaptive capacity.

“Historically farmers in the Pamir Mountains have used their bodies as a measure of the changing time of the seasons. Their bodies act as organic clocks and calendars to mark the passage of time,” said Kassam.

Marking time on the body begins in spring, mov-ing from the toenails up to the head, and over the course of time, “Farmers describe that ‘the sun

Human and Environmental Relations in Climate Change Responses

is in’ a particular body part. In many cases, the heart is associated with the time Pamiri villagers celebrate Nowruz or New Year.”

Kassam asserts that “Harnessing farmers’ aware-ness of their external environment and revitalising calendars of the human body may help villagers better understand and adapt to climate change, re-ducing anxiety and enhancing livelihood security.”

A UCA Senior Research Fellow since 2010, Kas-sam recently worked with the Mountain Societies Research Institute on food security research and is involved in the development of UCA’s Earth and Environmental Science major.

In May 2014, Kassam was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Society of Ethnobiol-ogy. In 2013, he received an award for promoting multicultural diversity in research and teaching at Cornell, and appointed Associate Editor of Action Research Journal. In 2012, Kassam was elected Foreign Member (Academician) of the Academy of Sciences, Republic of Tajikistan and appointed English Language Editor of the Academy’s Jour-nal of the Biological and Medical Sciences.

Kassam holds a PhD in Natural Resource Policy and Management from Cornell, where he is International Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies in the Department of Natural Resources and the American Indian Programme in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Historically farmers in the pamir Mountains have used their bodies as a measure of the changing time of the seasons.



RESEARCH AND lEARNING22

Policy Analysis Programme Offered in Dushanbe

left: Dr Roziqzoda abdulhakimi Sherali, ipa Rector addresses participants during the introductory session.Right: lecturer Zaure Sydykova introduces policy process concepts.

UCA’s Institute of Public Policy and Adminis-tration (IPPA), in partnership with the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) under the Presi-dent of the Republic of Tajikistan, launched its Certificate Programme in Policy Analysis (CPPA) in Dushanbe on 25 August 2014. Dr Roziqzoda Abdulhakimi Sherali, IPA Rec-tor, Dr Madjidi Yusufjon Khairullo, Deputy Head of Division on Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Executive Office of President and Dr Roman Mogilevskii, IPPA Head of Re-search welcomed participants and provided an overview of the training. Mr Tojiddin Jurazoda, Coordinator of the Public Sector Reform Group under the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and Kosimzoda Grez, first Deputy Director of the Civil Service Agency, were also present. “The programme is a unique initiative in the region. It will allow civil servants and experts in Tajikistan to increase their capacity in policy analysis, filling a need for increased capacity in this area. IPA is pleased to cooperate with UCA in providing this opportunity,” said Dr Roziqzoda. CPPA is an executive programme offered under IPPA’s Research and Public Policy Initiative (RPPI), supported by the International Develop-ment Research Centre and the Aga Khan Foun-dation Canada. RPPI aims to ground policy-making processes in Central Asia in sound evidence and policy analysis by building the

capacity of researchers to conduct independent and critical studies and by expanding the ability of policy professionals to utilise such research in policy development. The Programme targets mid- to senior-level civil servants, independent analysts and think-tank and non-governmental organisation staff, and the flexible, part-time schedule accommo-dates working professionals. Thirty learners are enrolled in the programme in Dushanbe. Seven-teen participants are concurrently enrolled in the programme in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Taught by highly qualified instructors, curricu-lum modules cover Policy Process in Govern-ment, Economics for Policy Analysis, Methods of Policy Analysis and Policy Monitoring and Evaluation. Students will develop a policy paper which will be evaluated at a colloquium by sen-ior government officials. The best papers will be published in IPPA’s Working Paper Series. “This programme gives both young and sea-soned professionals a platform to refine their analytical skills and develop their capacity. Through UCA’s partnership with IPA, we will provide students with the required technical expertise,” said Mogilevskii. Course graduates will receive a professional de-velopment Certificate in Policy Analysis. CPPA is a 25 credit European Credit Transfer and Ac-cumulation System (ECTS) programme.



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As the sun set behind the mountains, the jailoo or summer pasture was transformed into an open-air movie theatre. The film screening, organised by the University of Central Asia’s mobile digital library eBilim, drew children and adults from surrounding yurts outdoors to enjoy a Kyrgyz movie. “Although it was cold, it was a great experience to watch a movie under the stars,” said Nazima, 12, whose family is herding livestock in the pas-tures near Song-Kul lake.

Housed in a refurbished minibus, eBilim is equipped with books, a printer, tablets and laptops which are connected to a digital database of over 3,000 audio, video and text files that can be printed or downloaded. eBilim has a regular monthly ten-village route in Ak-Talaa and Naryn districts, and has reached over 2,600 children and 1,200 adults.

During summer, life in Naryn’s rural moun-tain communities changes. Schools close and many families follow their nomadic traditions and move to the jailoos at higher elevations. In response, eBilim conducted three extended tours to jailoos, offering continued, and in some cases unprecedented, access to information and enter-tainment for herders and their families.

Mobile Digital library Follows the Nomads’ Path

“eBilim’s visit allowed me to discover new di-mensions of knowledge in veterinary medicine. I was able to spend my free time gathering infor-mation,” said Aibek Toktogaziev, a veterinarian from Dobolu village.

Aigul, 13, whose family is also herding livestock near Song-Kul, found, “We were able to quickly learn how to use the educational tools on com-puters. Practicing using information technology prepares me for the future and connects me to modern ways of learning.”

eBilim has gathered community feedback to improve the database and ensure its continued relevance. The project plans to extend its reach, serve as a coordinating platform to increase access to practical information and function as an outreach tool to enhance linkages between researchers and communities.

eBilim is designed and implemented through a partnership between UCA’s Mountain Society Research Institute and the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme, with financial support from the German Gesellschaft fuer Inter-nationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

The eBilim vehicle visiting herders at a summer pasture or jailoo.

“Practicing using information technology prepares me for the future and connects me to modern ways of learning.”


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UCA is working to maximise the economic impact and capacity of its contractors in the con-struction of its Naryn campus. One such con-tractor, Asia Stroi Servis, recently won a tender for the third floor of UCA’s Naryn town campus which houses SPCE.

Asia Stroi Servis is an independent Naryn-based company, registered in Kyrgyzstan. Founded in 2012 by Mr Samat Kaliduldaev and his col-leagues, the company has been involved in various UCA projects including the construction of UCA’s sports facilities in 2012. The company helped construct green and gabion walls around the UCA campus site, and was awarded the tender to build the extension for the construction site office and the foundations for the concrete batching plant.

“UCA is tendering our pre-construction con-tracts to local and regional companies. This is part of our commitment to regional economic development. Currently, there are over 220 people working in construction at the Naryn campus site. With the exception of two European and forty Kazakh expatriates, all employees are from Kyrgyzstan,” said Mr Grant Robertson, UCA’s Director of Construction.

When campus construction was launched in 2013, all ten contracts to prepare the site were awarded to Naryn contractors with Naryn workforces. This included constructing the site

Naryn Company Benefits from UCA Construction

batching plant and stone crushing equipment; building the office extension and welfare facili-ties and establishing site utilities.

In 2013, UCA awarded $3.5 million in contracts to local contractors, including Asia Stroi Ser-vice, Ekaras 5, Jany Kurulush and Belekov Bay-ish, resulting in the creation of 325 jobs in the Naryn region. Construction of campus facilities began in June 2014 and between 20 and 30 work packages are being tendered.

“UCA is supporting economic development in its campus communities one company at a time,” says Construction Manager, Mr Neil Carson, “We are pleased to have provided Asia Stroi Servis with support. The company is growing as it has been able to leverage UCA’s engagement with communities surrounding the campus.”

Asia Stroi Servis employs six administrators and sixty local construction workers, some of whom graduated from UCA’s Technical and Vocational Education Training programme. The company has secured a contract to build a school in Ozgorush in the Bashy region and is working as a subcontractor with other companies.

“We plan to improve our technical facilities and to employ more people. This year we hired 60 people. In 2015 and 2016, we plan to employ between 150 and 200,” says Kaliduldaev.

Mr Samat Kaliduldaev of asia Stroi Servis (right) reviewing construction plans with Nenad pesic, uca assistant Design Manager.

CONSTRuCTION

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uCA Formally Hands Over Dasht Village Road to Khorog Municipality

Mr Faromuz imomberdiev, Khorog Mayor and delegation tour the Khorog campus site and new Dasht road.

A new road connecting the Khorog Intercity Road to Dasht village was completed by UCA and officially handed over to the Khorog Municipal-ity and the State Commission Department in the presence of Mayor Faromuz Imomberdiev on 18 August 2014.

The handover ceremony was also witnessed by Mr Kishovarz Shogunbekov, Head of the Architectural Department; Mr Dilovar Nasullobekov, Head of the Land Department; and Mr Tohir Abdolbekov, Head of the Public Utility Department.

The two-lane road is part of several infrastructure projects completed by UCA, which are essential for full scale campus construction to begin, and have employed some 250 local residents. The 2.5 kilometre road, which took five months to com-plete, connects the University’s Khorog campus site to the upper Dasht plateau, where many com-munities reside.

Construction of the road was carried out by Pomir, a Khorog-based company, while road lighting was completed by Pamir Energo Ser-vice. Both employed workers from Dasht and Khithdj villages.

“On behalf of the Khorog Municipality, we ex-press our gratitude to the UCA management and construction team for completing this new road. We look forward to continued collaboration, as the University develops in the coming years,” said Mayor Imomberdiev.

The government delegation also toured the campus site and learnt about preparatory works, including the intensive removal and crushing pro-cess of 160,000 cubic metres of rock, which will be used as base material for construction. Since 2004, local construction companies have actively engaged in tender processes, com-pleting UCA’s development of a water supply line from Khuzyel to Dashatak, a high voltage electric line for the Dashtak community, a road for relocated buildings and green wall around the Khorog campus. In 2010, UCA also sup-plied Dasht village with access to a 1,770 metre drinking water pipeline. “To ensure UCA is inclusive, we work with local construction companies and nearby communities. The Dasht village road is an opportunity for us to facilitate and contribute to access to utilities and services by the neighbourhoods around our future campus,” said Mr Grant Robertson, UCA Direc-tor of Construction. Space planning for the Khorog campus site is completed, and detailed design plans are in progress. Numerous construction companies have tendered for site setup works and excava-tions. UCA’s construction works are carried out almost entirely by local residents. In addition to those located in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, companies in and around Dushanbe have expressed interest in bidding for advanced and site preparation works.


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IPPA and SPCE Engage in Small and Medium Enterprise Growth Project

On 19 September 2014, the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) hosted a seminar on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Development in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and Senior Research Fellow Dr Kanat Tilekeyev presented research findings on MSME sectors in Tajikistan. On 24 September, Khairisho Shonusariev, Manager, School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) Learning Centre, Dushanbe, presented SPCE’s Small and Medium Business Management programme at a stakeholder workshop organised by the Aga Khan Foundation, Tajikistan in Dushanbe. These activities took place within the framework of the Small and Medium Enterprise Growth Project for Central Asia, an initiative of USAID and the Aga Khan Foundation.

IPPA Senior Research Fellows Having an ImpactIPPA Senior Research Fellow Dr Nurbek Jenish was appointed Deputy Chairman at the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic in August. IPPA Senior Research Fellow Dr Kanat Tilekeyev’s new book on Rural Poverty Determinants in the Remote Rural Areas of Kyrgyzstan: A Production Efficiency Impact on the Poverty Level of a Rural Household was published by Peter Lang: International Academic Pub-lishers in September.

SPCE Hosts Community of PractitionersOn 31 August, SPCE Khorog, in partnership with the Adult Education Centre and with funding from the European Training Foundation, hosted the Community of Practitioners (COP) meeting in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO), coordinated by SPCE Deputy Director Dilovar Butabekov. COP is a platform for key stakeholders to discuss vocational education.

SPCE and MSRI Participate in Pamir Invest 2014From 15-16 August, SPCE Khorog staff attended Pamir Invest 2014 organised by Milal Inter (Asso-ciation of Entrepreneurs and Mountain Farmers) and the Public Fund to Promote Cross-Border Trade Cooperation in GBAO. Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI) Research Fellow Qobiljon Shokirov participated in roundtables at the forum on Development of Tourism Infrastructure and Ser-vices and Barriers to Business Development, Investment and Regional Cooperation.

Annual Construction and Facilities workshop Asks why Build?From 30 July to 1 August, the Construction and Facilities Division held its annual workshop, includ-ing a presentation on Why Build? The Role of the Earth and Environmental Science Major in the 21st Century by Senior Research Fellow Dr Karim-Aly Kassam, and information sessions on the tender process, executive design management and lessons learnt from Naryn campus preparatory works.

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uCA Public lecture Series

July-September 2014

The UCA Public Lecture Series highlights emerging research in and about Central Asia.

• The Study of Disaster Statistics in Public Safety, Dr Mikhail Rodkin, Russian Academy of Sciences, 11 July 2014.

• Communication, Media, and Critical Thinking in the 21st Century, Dr Karim H. Karim, Carleton University, 7 August 2014.

• Well-being and Coping Strategies of Single Mothers in Osh after the 2010 Conflict in Kyrgyzstan, Dr Aksana Ismailbekova, Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO), 11 September 2014.

• Understanding the Link between Climate Change and Alpine Cryosphere, Professor Martin Hoelzle, University of Fribourg, 12 September 2014.

• Creation of Information Infrastructure of Tajikistan for the Development of Higher Education and Science, Professor Sadykov Hisrav Rizoevich, Tajik Technical University, 24 September 2014.

Full details: http://www.ucentralasia.org/PublicLectures

MSRI Researchers Participate in Socio-Ecological workshopsFrom 16 to 19 July, MSRI researchers, Jyldyz Shigaeva and Christian Hergarten, and Shannon Hagerman and Ian Eddy of the University of British Columbia presented MSRI’s Learning Land-scapes Social Ecological Systems research concept at the Global Fair and Workshop on Long-Term Observatories of Mountain Social-Ecological Systems in Reno, Nevada. Their joint research is sup-ported by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

IPPA Organises Summer School on labour MarketsFrom 13 to 24 July, IPPA and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute jointly organised a Summer School on Labour Markets in Central Asia in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyz Republic.

SPCE Afghanistan Staff Attend ICDl workshopFrom 12 to 16 July, four project coordinators from SPCE Satellite Learning Centres in Afghani-stan participated in a workshop for International Computer Driving Licence testers at Kabul University, under the Multi Input Area Development Global Development Alliance (MIAD GDA) in Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan – an alliance between the Aga Khan Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development.

SPCE Khorog126 Lenin Street, Khorog, GBAO, 736000, Republic of TajikistanTel.: +992 (3522) 22 277 Fax: +992 (3522) 22 [email protected]

SPCE Naryn10 Seitaaly Jakypov Street, Naryn, 722900, Kyrgyz RepublicTel.: +996 (3522) 51 204 Fax: +996 (3522) 51 [email protected]

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SPCE Tekeli13 Gagarin Street, Tekeli, 041700, Republic of KazakhstanTel.: +7 (72835) 44 177, 43 444 Fax: +7 (72835) 43 [email protected]

SPCE Learning Centre, Dushanbe47A Druzhba Narodov Avenue, Dushanbe, 734013, Republic of TajikistanTel.: +992 (37) 224 [email protected]

University of Central Asia

Administration Office138 Toktogul Street, Bishkek, 720001, Kyrgyz Republic

Tel.: +996 (312) 910 822 Fax: +996 (312) 910 835 [email protected]

Aga Khan Humanities Project, Dushanbe47A Druzhba Narodov Avenue, Dushanbe, 734013, Republic of Tajikistan

Tel.: +992 (37) 221 26 [email protected]

School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE)

UCA News ServiceKeep abreast of UCA developments and opportunities including: news, public lectures, publications from our research institutes and job vacancies.

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SPCE Learning Centre, Bishkek138 Toktogul Street, Bishkek, 720001, Kyrgyz RepublicTel.: +996 (312) 910 822, Fax: +996 (312) 910 [email protected]

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