The University of Central Asia (UCA) proudly celebrated the graduation of its fifth cohort of undergraduate students with simultaneous ceremonies held at its residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, and Khorog, Tajikistan on 21 June.
The event also marks the official launch of a year-long UCA’s Silver Jubilee Year, commemorating 25 years since the signing of the international treaty that established UCA as a unique regional institution founded by the Republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and the Aga Khan Development Network.
A total of 65 graduates from across the three Founding States, as well as from Afghanistan and Pakistan, received degrees in Computer Science, Media and Communications, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Global Economics. They were joined by over 550 guests in Naryn and Khorog, including family members, faculty, government dignitaries, local community leaders, and members of the UCA Board of Trustees and leadership.
His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V, in his remarks asUCA’s Chancellor, read out by Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chair, UCA Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the Aga Khan Development Network’s enduring commitment to improving the quality of life across Central Asia. The Chancellor also underlined the significance of the 25th year of the establishment of UCA as a regional university through what he called “the extraordinary partnership between the Founding States of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and the Aga Khan Development Network”.
In Naryn, the Kyrgyz Republic was represented at the ceremonyby Mr Shabdan Abdyrayim uulu, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President in the Naryn Region. He highlighted the crucial role played by the University in advancing regional innovation, research, and education. He encouraged graduates to remain rooted in their cultural values while addressing global challenges. Mr Abdyraim uulu noted that, thanks to the joint efforts of the Naryn Oblast Administration and UCA’s School of Professional and Continuing Education, the performance of school students from Naryn in the national test improved significantly — rising from 8th place in 2023 to 3rd place in 2024 nationwide. He also highlighted collaborative efforts with UCA to make Naryn the first city in the Commonwealth of Independent States to introduce free Wi-Fi across key public spaces, including parks, schools, libraries, museums, and hospitals.
The graduation ceremonies served as a powerful reminder of UCA’s ongoing commitment to nurturing ethical and innovative leaders equipped to contribute to sustainable development and prosperity across Central Asia and beyond. A fourth of the graduating class has already secured admission for graduate studies at renowned institutions in Europe, North America, and the Far East.