Khorog, Tajikistan and Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, March 2016 - UCA is advancing construction of its three residential campuses at high altitude sites in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic; Khorog, Tajikistan; and Tekeli, Kazakhstan.

UCA will inaugurate its first fully-residential campus in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic in September 2016, welcoming the first cohort of undergraduates to world class facilities, academic buildings and student and faculty housing. In Khorog, Tajikistan, progress continues at a rapid pace for the planned inauguration in 2017. Alongside a $64.4 million commitment from the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), including $7.5 million from the Aga Khan Foundation, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States Government’s development finance institution has extended $30 million to complete Phase I construction of its Khorog campus.

Economic development is at the heart of UCA’s construction strategy. UCA is engaging a broad range of local and regional contractors and subcontractors, a strategy that maximises the local economic impact. Construction operations create opportunities to strengthen existing enterprises and promote the development of new ones.

In Phase I, UCA operations will bring an estimated 1,000 total construction jobs (more than 300 per campus), 300 new faculty and staff jobs with university operations (estimated 100 per campus), and over $750 million in projected economic impact regionally.