University of Central Asia

Mountain solutions: Innovating today, sustaining tomorrow

UCA celebrates Class of 2024

Asel Murzakulova: UCA researcher setting benchmarks for young female scientists

Scientists and students from Bamyan University conducted field experiments to identify varieties of beans best adapted to dry climatic conditions. 

Drought-resistant beans to nourish families in wintertime

UCA students go horseback riding on the Naryn side of the Tian Shan (Mountains of Heaven), whose highest peak reaches 7,439 metres.

Promoting sustainable mountain tourism in Kyrgyzstan

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain communities. It offers an internationally recognised standard of higher education, and enables the peoples of the region to preserve their rich cultural heritage as assets for the future.

It is also an example of what can be achieved through international cooperation, having been established through an International Treaty and Agreement signed by the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan and His Highness the Aga Khan.

The School of Professional and Continuing Education has trained over 220,000 learners since 2006.

220,000

There are 23,000 learners at UCA and UCA-supported institutions.

23,000

The School of Arts and Sciences cultivates the knowledge and skills students need to integrate different approaches to solve problems and create innovations in professional life and public service.

LEARN MORE ABOUT

The School of Arts and Sciences

UCA is a research-oriented development university, with three research institutes: the Mountain Societies Research Institute, the Institute of Public Policy and Administration and the Cultural Heritage and Humanities Unit.

Research Institutes

The <a href="https://ucentralasia.org/schools/school-of-professional-and-continuing-education/continuing-education-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">School of Professional and Continuing Education</a> gives young people and adults professional and vocational qualifications that improve employment and income generating opportunities.

Professional and Continuing Education

The University of Central Asia offers a winter English and maths programme and a summer camp to help Grade 10 and 11 students prepare for university.

Pre-university Education

UCA has supported 43 Central Asian scholars to pursue advanced degrees at other universities before returning to serve as UCA faculty.

Faculty Development

Dr Shamsh&nbsp;Kassim-Lakha was responsible for leading the planning, building, and operation of the campuses and programmes of the University across all three of its Founding States.

As Founding President of the Aga Khan University, the first private university chartered in South Asia, for nearly three decades, Dr Kassim-Lakha led the planning, building, and operations of this internationally renowned institution established by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1983 with campuses in Pakistan, Eastern Africa, and the United Kingdom.

He has served in senior positions in the Pakistan government, including as the country's Minister of Education, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of State.&nbsp;He also chaired the committee which wrote Pakistan's National Environment Protection Act (1997).

The first two decades of his career were with the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, where he served as Managing Director of Industrial Promotion Services of Pakistan, a manufacturing and venture capital company with a workforce of 22,000.

In recognition of his academic and social work, Dr&nbsp;Kassim-Lakha has received honorary degrees from McMaster University, Canada, and the Aga Khan University. His awards for distinguished 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.

Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha was responsible for leading the planning, building, and operation of the campuses and programmes of the University.

Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha

Chairman, Board of Trustees, and Acting Rector, University of Central Asia

Professor Gerry was Head of Oxford University&rsquo;s School of Global and Area Studies and Full Professor in Public Health and Health Economics of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. During his time at Oxford he was a Governing Body member of St Antony&rsquo;s College, where he also served as Dean of the College.

Before this, he served as Professor of Health Economics at HSE University in St. Petersburg, where he established a successful research laboratory in Health Economics and Policy. Professor Gerry also spent 12 years at University College London, where he was appointed as Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor.

Professor Gerry previously worked at Oxford University, HSE University and University College London.

Professor Christopher Gerry

Dean of the Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia

Prior to joining UCA, Dr Khomyakov worked at the Higher School of Economics, Saint Petersburg, Russia as the Vice-director, focusing on the school&rsquo;s strategy, research, and international affairs.

He also has extensive experience as a visiting research fellow, advisor, and lecturer at different universities across the globe including the European University Institute, Italy; the University of Johannesburg, South Africa; and Fudan University, China.&nbsp;

Dr Khomyakov previously worked at the Higher School of Economics, Saint Petersburg, Russia as the Vice-director.

Dr Maxim Borisovich Khomyakov

Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, University of Central Asia

Mr Butabekov was previously the Deputy Director, with responsibility for the Tajikistan and Afghanistan programmes, and SPCE campus head of Khorog.

He has had a long career with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), having started as a junior staff member in the AKDN office in Khorog, and then progressed to the position of Administration Manager for the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Tajikistan, and Director of Administration for AKF, Tajikistan.

Mr Butabekov was previously the Deputy Director, with responsibility for the Tajikistan and Afghanistan programmes, and SPCE campus head of Khorog.

Dilovar Butabekov

Director of the School of Professional and Continuing Education, University of Central Asia

Muzaffar Jorubov has over 18 years of experience in administrative and operations management and has worked with international organisations including Save the Children, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Aga Khan Development Network Representation Office in Tajikistan.

Prior to joining UCA, he served as the Executive Officer at the Ismaili Centre, Dushanbe, where he developed and implemented institutional policies, managed operations, and programmes, and cultivated and mantained relations with its internal and external stakeholders.

He was previously a lecturer with Tajik Technical University, and a deputy headmaster and teacher at a district centre high school.

Muzaffar Jorubov has over 18 years of experience in administrative and operations management.

Muzaffar Jorubov

Chief Operating Officer, University of Central Asia

Saleem Hirani is responsible for overseeing and managing all information technology and financial matters of the University and playing a key role in strategic planning, development, and operations of UCA&rsquo;s multi-campus university.

Mr Hirani has over 25 years of leadership experience in finance, accounting, controls, IT, project management, and financial systems in high-tech, financial services, and manufacturing industries across three countries: Pakistan, Canada, and the United States. He acquired transferable skills of entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy planning and execution, change management, and effective cost optimisation while working at Ford, Dell, and Al-Faysal Investment Bank.&nbsp;


Saleem Hirani is responsible for information technology and financial matters of the University

Saleem Hirani

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer, University of Central Asia

Amaan Pardhan previously worked as Executive Officer, Office of the Provost at the Aga Khan University. From 2009-2011, he served as Programme Support Officer with AKDN's Resident Representative&rsquo;s Office in Tajikistan, working closely with key stakeholders including government, diplomatic, and donor communities to promote national and regional development initiatives. In addition, he served as Secretary to the AKDN Forum, comprising Agency Heads based in Tajikistan.

Amaan Pardhan previously worked as Executive Officer, Office of the Provost at the Aga Khan University.

Amaan Pardhan

Board Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Chairman, University of Central Asia

Nasir Pirani is responsible for attracting resources and funds for the long-term financial viability of UCA, and internal and external communication with the University&rsquo;s stakeholders. He served in a similar position at the Aga Khan University in Karachi for 17 years. Here he was instrumental in setting up the first Resource Development and Public Affairs Department, helping raise over $200 million in donations and grants.

Thereafter he returned to Austin, Texas, where he established a real estate investment and brokerage business. He has served on a number of non-profit boards, advising on fundraising and communications issues.

Nasir Pirani is responsible for attracting resources and funds for the long-term financial viability of UCA, and communication with stakeholders. 

Nasir Pirani

Director, Advancement and Public Affairs, University of Central Asia

Before joining UCA, Ms Tsay worked as Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and International Relations at Narxoz University in Almaty, Kazakhstan. With over 20 years of work experience in spheres including oil and gas, public private partnerships and education she has strong expertise in strategic management, public relations, negotiations and financial /operations management.

Ms Tsay has also taught Strategic Management, International Economics and Leadership in bachelor and master programmes at Kazakh-British Technical University and M. Narikbayev KAZGUU University.

Before joining UCA, Ms Tsay worked as Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and International Relations at Narxoz University in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Viktoriya Tsay

Registrar, University of Central Asia

Dr Krawchenko was previously Director of Policy Studies at the Council of Advisors to the Parliament of Ukraine. He was the founder and director of the Institute of Public Administration and Local Government, Cabinet of Ministers.

He has participated in numerous Ukrainian government committees, task forces, and working groups including the President&rsquo;s Council on Social and Economic Affairs, the Policy Unit of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Working Group on the Establishment of the Civil Service, the Working Group on Monetary Reform and the Commission on Administrative Reform.

He has also served as a consultant to the World Bank and OECD. He was visiting associate professor at Harvard University, Department of Government, and visiting professor at the College of Europe in Natolin, Poland.

Dr Krawchenko was previously Director of Policy Studies at the Council of Advisors to the Parliament of Ukraine.


Dr Bohdan Krawchenko

Advisor to the Rector and Senior Research Fellow at the Graduate School of Development, University of Central Asia

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