Central Asia, 15 June 2024 - The University of Central Asia (UCA) School of Arts and Sciences celebrated its fourth cohort of graduates with simultaneous ceremonies at its Khorog, Tajikistan, and Naryn, Kyrgyzstan campuses. Over 450 guests, including parents and friends of the 53 graduates, local community members, members of UCA’s Board of Trustees, and university staff and faculty, gathered to congratulate the talented young men and women who graduated majoring in Computer Science, Media and Communications, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Global Economics.

The event included awarding of degrees and addresses by Princess Zahra Aga Khan (virtually), UCA Trustee; respective chief guests at Naryn and Khorog Ms Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva, Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Mr Safarzoda Dilshod Ghani, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan; Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chairman of UCA’s Board of Trustees; keynote speaker Mr Ali Velshi, Chief Correspondent of MSNBC; Ms Kyzzhibek Zhanibekova, Class Valedictorian; and Professor Christopher Gerry, Acting Rector of UCA.

Princess Zahra congratulated the graduates and conveyed the happiness and pride of UCA’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, in their accomplishments. She thanked UCA’s faculty, staff and parents, as well as donors, volunteers and partners across the globe. She also expressed gratitude to UCA’s founding states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan – for having created the “enabling environment in which the University continues to thrive.”

“My faith is grounded in the Chancellor’s founding vision and mission for the University of Central Asia; in UCA’s embrace of interdisciplinarity, experiential learning, research, innovation, and community service – and, through these, ensuring its faculty, students and graduates play a central role in fostering a vibrant and more inclusive global knowledge society,” said Princess Zahra. She encouraged the graduates to retain a “life-long commitment to learning” and to remain connected to UCA.

Minister Kendirbaeva thanked the University’s Founder His Highness the Aga Khan for establishing UCA, which is imparting exceptional education. “Fly high, reach great heights and return. Never forget your country, as you are needed here,” she said to the graduates, citing a particular need for solutions in the areas of water conservation, poverty alleviation and environmental protection. The Minister also encouraged the graduates to be critical thinkers and work for global peace and stability.

Deputy Minister Ghani expressed pride in the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan being one of the founders of UCA and in President Emomali Rahmon being one of UCA’s patrons. He shared his happiness at the strong, ongoing, multifaceted collaboration between Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science and UCA, which has improved access to quality learning across Tajikistan. The Deputy Minister expressed confidence that UCA will continue its close cooperation with the Ministry. He also highlighted President Rahmon’s remarks during the inauguration of UCA’s Khorog campus in 2018: “The University of Central Asia in Khorog… will not only benefit our country but will serve to expand the multilateral cooperation of the countries of the region in the field of education."

Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chairman of UCA’s Board of Trustees, highlighted that “UCA’s mission is to cultivate inspired and ethical leadership to drive positive change” and shared observations from his own experience about leadership essentials: “an ethical framework, empowering others, self-reflection and adaptability.”

In his keynote address, Mr Ali Velshi, Chief Correspondent of MSNBC, spoke of UCA students as “bright, curious and hardworking.” He exhorted the graduates to make it their mission to dedicate themselves to the service of others: “Choose to make things better for those around you, and you will make things better for the world. Start with small acts. With each small success, you will get stronger and better able to solve bigger problems.”

Class valedictorian Kyzzhibek Zhanibekova said: “UCA taught us to be attentive and thoughtful, to see beyond the challenges, to turn challenges into opportunities, and above all, to share.” Ms Zhanibekova has also been a past recipient of the prestigious award for academic excellence from the President of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Speakers at the graduation also emphasised UCA’s and the Aga Khan Development Network’s current and future initiatives to transform Khorog and Naryn into modern university towns capable of thriving in the knowledge society age.

The event highlighted UCA’s contribution to human capital development in the three founding states and more broadly in Central Asia. Many graduates, some on full scholarships, will continue their higher studies at renowned universities like Brown, Duke and Michigan. Those who have chosen employment will use their knowledge in fields such as economics, environment and technology to advance the prosperity and sustainability of their countries. UCA's commitment to rigorous quality standards is exemplified through its academic partnerships with leading international universities, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Toronto, Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and the University of Technology Sydney. UCA admits students based on academic excellence and the potential to be future leaders, without regard to financial background.