University of Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic)

The University of Central Asia (UCA) is a private university founded in 2000 through a charter signed by the Presidents of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan. It has three campuses in the countries named above. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain societies, while at the same time helping the different peoples of the region to preserve and draw upon their rich cultural traditions and heritages as assets for the future. In addition to its undergraduate program, UCA hosts a graduate School of Development that focuses on training highly skilled professionals and decision-makers and fostering policy-oriented research in fields such as economic development, education, natural resource management and the environment, and public administration/public policy. University of Central Asia’s website>>

School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE)

The School is Central Asia’s first provider of post-secondary, short-cycle education giving young people and adults professional and vocational qualifications in a flexible learning format that improve employment and income generating opportunities. The SPCE offers certificate programs in English for Business (London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board), Accounting (Certified Accountant Practitioner and Certification for International Professional Accountants), information technology (Microsoft IT Academy), International Computer Driving License (ICDL), Mountain Tour Operator, Local Economic and Community Development among others.

To ensure that its programs reach a diversity of communities, an outreach program was set up in remote villages without direct access to SPCE facilities. Through the English in the Villages, Math in the Villages, and IT in the Villages programs, SPCE Outreach helps address issues of outdated curriculum and teaching methods in the public school system that are particularly acute in village communities. Learn more>>

Mountain Societies Research Centre

The Mountain Societies Research Centre (MSRC) is a university-wide, interdisciplinary research center dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities within Central Asian mountain communities and environments. The MSRC’s goal is to support and enhance the resilience and quality of life of mountain societies through sound research on the sustainable development and management of their physical, social, economic and cultural assets. Learn more>>

Research Data Warehouse (RDW)

UCA’s Research Data Warehouse (RDW) is a central repository of primary and secondary data, research and multimedia documents offering many advanced features like remote web access, document preview, RSS, ISBN integration, a powerful search engine, as well as advanced mapping and GIS connectivity. A central component of RDW is the Central Asian Mountain Monitoring Network (CAMMoN) – a comprehensive regional monitoring system for Central Asia, covering biophysical, social, economic and cultural data. CAMMoN which will harness, connect, make available data from existing data collection systems, and establish additional systems where there are gaps. CAMMoN already hosts data, information and knowledge of many projects completed in the region, including a website for the Kyrgyz-Swiss Forestry Support Program. Learn more>>