The University of Central Asia Celebrates its Fourth Graduation at its School of Arts & Sciences

The University of Central Asia (UCA) celebrated the graduation of the fourth batch of 53 students at its School of Arts and Sciences at elegant ceremonies held simultaneously at UCA’s campuses in Khorog, Tajikistan and Naryn, Kyrgyzstan. Over 450 guests (parents and friends of the 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; 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 who were the respective Chief Guests at Naryn and Khorog respectively; Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chairman UCA’s Board of Trustees; keynote speaker Mr. Ali Velshi, Chief Correspondent of MSNBC; the Valedictorian, Kyzzhibek Zhanibekova; and Professor Christopher Gerry, Acting Rector of UCA.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan congratulated the graduates and also conveyed the happiness and pride of UCA’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, in the accomplishments of the graduates.

Princess Zahra thanked UCA’s faculty, staff, 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”. Princess Zahra encouraged graduates to “play a central role in fostering a vibrant and more inclusive global knowledge society” and asked 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 Prince Aga Khan for establishing UCA that is imparting exceptional education. The Minister asked the graduates to “fly high, reach great heights, and return. Never forget your country, as you are needed here” especially 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 UCA’ patron. He shared his happiness at the strong, ongoing, multifaceted collaboration between Tajikistan’s Ministry of Education and Science and UCA that 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 UCA’s Board of Trustees highlighted that “UCA’s mission is to cultivate inspired and ethical leadership to drive positive change” and shared three leadership essentials: “an ethical framework, empowering others, and self-reflection, and adaptability”.

Mr. Ali Velshi, Chief Correspondent of MSNBC, in his keynote address, spoke of UCA students “bright, curious, and hardworking” and exhorted the graduates to make it their mission to dedicate themselves in 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”.

The Valedictorian, Kyzzhibek Zhanibekova, Communications & Media graduate- Class of 2024, spoke of how “UCA taught us to be attentive and thoughtful, to see beyond the challenges, to turn challenges into opportunities, and above all to share”.  Kyzzhibek 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 the broader Central Asia. Many UCA graduates have been admitted, several on full scholarships, to internationally recognized universities including Brown, Duke, and Michigan. Graduates who have chosen employment have secured decent jobs and are using their knowledge in fields such as economy, environment, technology, and society to contribute to the economic 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 the future leaders without regard to financial background.

Watch the 2024 Graduation Ceremony highlights