UCA and Presidential Office Mark International Mountain Day with Interschool Quiz
The University of Central Asia (UCA) held an inter-school quiz dedicated to International Mountain Day. The event, which supported 10th and 11th-grade students from Bishkek schools in Kyrgyzstan, was organized in partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the implementation of the "Five Years of Action for Mountain Development."
International Mountain Day, celebrated annually on December 11, aims to raise awareness about the development of mountain ecosystems, the challenges of climate change, and the need to consider mountain development. The 2025 theme, "Glaciers for Water, Food, and Livelihoods in Mountains and Beyond," emphasised the critical role of glaciers in ensuring the resilience of ecosystems and the environment.
Quiz questions covered a wide range of topics: climate change, glaciers, water resources, biodiversity, air pollution, natural disasters, and the resilience of mountain communities. The event's goal was not only to test students' knowledge but also to engage young people in a discussion of the key challenges facing mountain regions.
Dinara Kemelova, Special Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for the Implementation of the Five-Year Action for Mountain Regions Development, shares the initiative's direction:
"The Five Years of Action for Mountain Development aims to advance the mountain agenda at the global, regional and national levels. The challenges of mountain regions—climate change, glacier melting, access to water, and local environmental sustainability—require a systematic and collaborative approach. It is crucial that young people be educated on these issues. I thank the University of Central Asia for organising this first-ever quiz. This is a powerful and timely initiative that helps schoolchildren better understand the challenges facing mountain regions. We hope that it will become an annual event and expand to other regions of the country."
The quiz was held in Kyrgyz, making it as accessible as possible for students in the capital. At the end of the event, all participants received certificates at the bookstore, stimulating their interest in knowledge and lifelong learning.
One of the winners, Aizirek Sabirova, a student at the A. Moldokulov National High-Tech School-Lyceum, noted the uniqueness of their participation:
"I've been leading by example at school for three years now, so I came to the Quiz with great enthusiasm. Environmental issues and climate change affect each of us, and events like these truly inspire young people—they spark interest, foster a sense of belonging, and motivate them to make a difference," she shared.
The National Television and Radio Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic (NTRC) supported the initiative and broadcast the quiz on 11 December, which attracted an even more engaged audience and supported the theme of International Mountain Day.
