Appointment of Dr Elmira Köchümkulova as the new Associate Dean at UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences, Naryn Campus

Dr Elmira Köchümkulova has been appointed as the new Associate Dean of UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences for the Naryn Campus, effective 1 September 2024.

Dr Elmira Köchümkulova brings extensive experience and a strong commitment to educational excellence, having spent over a decade in UCA’s Graduate School of Development. Her academic and professional background make her well-suited to drive the growth of UCA’s Naryn Campus. Dr Köchümkulova will lead a renewed programme of community engagement, working closely with UCA’s School for Professional and Continuing Education, the Town Development team, the Naryn Urban Resilience Programme, and Naryn State University. She will collaborate with local officials, community members, and stakeholders to ensure UCA continues to support Naryn's sustainable economic, environmental, cultural, and social development.

Dr Köchümkulova completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees with the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations at the University of Washington, US and is one of the leading cultural anthropologists in the region. She has edited books and authored articles on Central Asian music, oral traditions, Islam, and nomadic cultures. Please read here full bio here.