Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, 1 September 2010 - A new three-kilometer diversion of the Naryn State Road constructed by the University of Central Asia (UCA) -- one of several infrastructure projects completed by UCA that are essential for full-scale construction to start -- was formally handed over by UCA to the Naryn Oblast Administration, in the presence of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbaeva, ministers and government officials, AKDN representative Mrs. Nurjehan Mawani and UCA Director General Bohdan Krawchenko.

In a special message to President Otunbaeva, His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of UCA, emphasized the significance of the construction of the US$ 2.5 million Naryn-Baetovo road and its safest possible location.

“This road was of critical importance for the UCA site, as the land that it releases between itself and the river has made it possible for the architects and land planners to site the campus buildings in the most sun-exposed area, and as far removed as possible from the area of the greatest seismic risk,” wrote the Aga Khan.

Other critical infrastructure projects include the significant strengthening of the banks of the Naryn River and the planting of a nursery with over 40,000 trees, which will be part of the landscaping of the campus. Prototypical test buildings are under construction. Once these construction techniques are tested and validated, the construction of the campus will proceed.

Construction works at UCA have been carried out almost entirely by local residents, many of whom received vocational training at the School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) of UCA. Over the last four years, in excess of 400 construction jobs have been created by UCA in Naryn. UCA is also completing a three-storey SPCE Town Campus in Naryn. Since its establishment in 2006, SPCE has graduated over 7,500 students in English, accounting, IT, tourism, entrepreneurship and vocational programs. According to a survey of SPCE alumni, 56 per cent attributed their studies as the factor that enabled them to increase their income and secure better jobs.

Established in 2000 under an International Treaty signed between the Governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan, ratified by the respective parliaments of the three countries and registered with the United Nations, the University of Central Asia is a unique three-country initiative designed to promote socio-economic development of the mountain communities in the region.

For more information, please contact:

Merim Razbaeva
Attorney, Legal Affairs
University of Central Asia
138-138a Toktogula Street
720001 Bishkek
Kyrgyz Republic
Tel: +996 312 910822
Email: [email protected]

Anna Vorobeva
Communications Officer
Aga Khan Development Network Representation
for the Kyrgyz Republic
80, Tynystanov Street
720053 Bishkek
Kyrgyz Republic
Tel: +996 312 696024 ; +996 0772 533726
Email: [email protected]

NOTES

The University of Central Asia

The University of Central Asia was founded in 2000 by the governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, and His Highness the Aga Khan. It is the world’s first internationally chartered institution of higher education. The International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular and private University was signed by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, ratified by the respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations.

The Aga Khan Development Network

His Highness the Aga Khan is founder and Chairman of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of private, non-denominational development agencies working to empower communities and individuals to improve living conditions and opportunities, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East. The Network’s nine development agencies focus on social, cultural and economic development for all citizens, regardless of gender, origin or religion. The AKDN’s underlying ethic is compassion for the vulnerable in society. Its annual budget for social development is US$ 500 million. In Kyrgyzstan, more than 890 people most of who are local citizens are directly employed by AKDN and its various agencies.