Eng - UNDP in Tajikistan

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER PROFILE
NGO
University of Сentral Asia (UCA)
Contact: Dr. Bohdan Krawchenko
Director
Tel: +996 (312) 691 822 Fax: +996 (312) 696 029
E-mail: info@ucentralasia.org
Website: www.ucentralasia.org
Organization Profile
The University of Central Asia is a secular, private, not-for-profit, and self-governing educational institution established in 2000 through an
International Treaty by His Highness the Aga Khan and the Presidents of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, ratified by the
respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of UCA and His Highness is the Founding
Patron and Chancellor. UCA was created to offer an internationally recognized standard of higher education in Central Asia and create
knowledgeable, skilled and creative graduates who will contribute leadership, ideas and innovations to the transitioning economies and
communities of the region.
Past and Current Programmes
The School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE)
The School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) provides a new approach to adult education, offering non-degree courses in
local languages to mid-career professionals and the general public in practical areas relevant to economic and social development. On October
2006, SPCE Khorog launched certificate programmes in English for Business and Accounting Technology. The English for Business
programme is designed to prepare students to sit for examinations given by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Accounting
Technology Certificate programme uses local instructors with international-level qualifications in accounting and original learning resources
linked to Tajik tax codes and legislation. SPCE recently began offering Information Technology (IT) programmes that lead to certification by
the Microsoft Corporation. The School also offers short-term courses, including a series on marketing research and legal issues in establishing
associations for district village organizations, and managing development projects for the NGO engineers in the GBAO region.
Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP)
The Aga Khan Humanities Project started activities in Dushanbe in 1997 through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The purpose of the project
was to develop a four-year curriculum in the humanities for undergraduate university students, and to train faculty to deliver the materials in a
student-centred, interactive teaching style. In January 2007, AKHP became part of the University of Central Asia. Current programmes
include the teaching of eight humanities courses in English based on the curriculum developed in 2006. AKHP-UCA is continuing its Faculty
Development Programme to support the teaching of humanities in all the universities of the region. In 2007 AKHP courses were taught by 43
instructors to 1828 students in 12 educational institutions. In July and December 2007, university faculty were introduced to and trained in
teaching 6 more humanities courses in English and Russian. The Aga Khan Lycee has started teaching several AKHP humanities courses
since the pilot the year before was rated a success by the Aga Khan Educational Services.
Future Programming Direction
When UCA’s residential campuses are fully operational, they will offer Preparatory, Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral, Professional and
Continuing Education, and Distance Education academic programmes; world-class athletic and library facilities; beautiful and functional
parks; and unique music and humanities programmes focusing on area studies. There will be a vibrant community of over 3,000 students
engaged in rigorous academic programmes and a rich student life including cultural, athletic, recreational, and community service activities.
The University will have over 300 faculty across the three campuses to ensure competitive faculty-student ratios.
In 2008, SPCE will introduce new programmes in English for Academic Purposes, Mountain Tour Operations (MTO) and vocational
education. The MTO programme will be an original business programme to develop local tour operators, and the vocation education
programmes will teach carpentry/construction, bricklaying and tile setting, and plastering/painting. These courses will prepare skilled labour
for the construction of the main campus of UCA as well as for the local market. SPCE will also operate a Learning Centre in Dushanbe to
teach English and accounting courses.
Aga Khan Humanities Project will plan and develop programmes that support the mission of the University of Central Asia as well as
continue to support the development of humanities in the region. As the AKHP matures into an institute for teaching as well as research in
the humanities, its programmes will diversify to reflect that mission. So far, AKHP has focused on curriculum and faculty development. In
future, its focus will include research in the humanities, with particular emphasis on the rich heritage of the Central Asia region
Source: Aid Coordination and Project Monitoring System Database
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