Co-operative Education Programme

The Co-operative Education (Co-op) Programme at the University of Central Asia (UCA) is a unique work-integrated learning programme where students apply in-class learning to real-life professional experiences within their field of study across private, public, and community-based sectors. UCA is the first university in Central Asian region and Eastern Europe to implement Co-op. It offers both paid and unpaid internships, preparing students for both academic and career success beyond the university’s classrooms. The Co-op Programme has been developed in partnership with the University of Victoria, Canada.

The Co-operative Education programme is mandatory for all UCA undergraduate students. Each student must complete at least one work term, accumulating 480 hours per year. It is an innovative initiative that provides opportunities for students to experience the working world, both domestically and internationally, through structured job placements during three consecutive summers over their five years of university education. Learning takes place throughout the process—from seeking employment to acquiring valuable interpersonal skills during the internship placement, as well as participating in field studies and conducting competency development evaluations.

An academic term integrated with Co-op programme comprises:

• a sequence of work and academic periods;
• monetary compensation for the work done, maintaining both employer and student engagement;
• evaluation of student and employer performance over the course of the work term;
• faculty engagement in the Co-op programme, as students’ work is not only supervised by the employer but also monitored by the academic institution;
• the work-integrated learning model allows the application of theoretical classroom knowledge in a professional environment and involves UCA faculty in programme implementation to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

Co-op Partners

Co-op partners comprise leading companies and organizations from across the region and internationally, including USAID, AKDN, AKF, AKAH, GIZ, IWPR, Eurasia Foundation, Coca Cola, OSCE Academy, American Chamber of Commerce, and many others. They are engaged not only as internship hosts, but also as active participants in all Co-op department events, including employers’ information sessions, job fairs, workshops, and curriculum review sessions.

In 2024, over 400 positions were announced for students.

Co-op Student Award

The Best Co-op Student Award is a highlight among Co-op activities, recognizes outstanding students for their exceptional co-op experiences. The award aims to recognize and celebrate students who have demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication during their Co-op experiences. This award seeks to acknowledge the exemplary efforts, achievements, and commitment of students within the Co-op program, fostering a culture of excellence and motivating students to excel in their professional development through practical work experiences.

Class of 2025 Graduates CV Book

Class of 2025 Graduates CV Book
Browse the profiles of UCA’s Class of 2025 graduates. This CV Book showcases their academic achievements, internship experiences, and career interests.
Access the CV Book (Registration required)

WACE Global Challenge

The Co-operative Education Program, in collaboration with the World Association of Cooperative Education (WACE) and EdTech Practera, offers an exciting opportunity for UCA students to participate in the WACE Global Challenge. This 4-week virtual program brings together students from across the globe into multi-disciplinary teams to work on real industry problems that will have social and economic impact.  (About the program: https://waceinc.org/Global-Challenge)

Executive summary on WACE Global Challenge #10:

Four students successfully completed WACE Global Challenge #10 (July 2024) and three students #11 (November 2024). Annually, around 10 UCA students participate in this virtual training/internship program, working on projects with real organizations. They collaborate with a team comprising students from 38 universities worldwide.

What students say about Global Challenge:

“It was one of the best experiences I ever had. It focused on the development of my several skills like leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, cultural literacy and problem solving. It is a value addition to my CV.”

-Sawera, Computer Science student

Alumni Association

The University of Central Asia’s Alumni Association was founded in 2021 by proactive members of the inaugural class of 2021. Operating within the umbrella of the UCA Co-operative Education Program, the mission of the Alumni Association is to cultivate lifelong connections, foster alumni engagement, and uphold the university’s mission. The Association provides a dynamic platform for alumni to stay connected, contribute to UCA’s advancement, and inspire future generations of students.

The mission of the Alumni Association is to connect, engage, and support both alumni and current UCA students. Through sustainable connections and meaningful interactions, the Association aims to provide professional development opportunities and foster a spirit of camaraderie among members. By serving as a resourceful platform for continuous learning, collaboration, and loyalty to UCA, the Association seeks to enrich the university experience for all members of the community.

Led by a dedicated team of eight members, the Alumni Association operates with precision, with each member fulfilling specific roles and responsibilities. The organization is structured into four key departments - PR, Finance & Administration, Community Affairs, and Content & Communication - ensuring efficient coordination and execution of initiatives. Mr. Ozar Aini, a 2021 UCA graduate in Computer Science, currently serves as the President of the Alumni Association, leading efforts towards realizing the vision and mission.