Afghan Students at American University of Central Asia to Receive $500,000 in Financial Aid
The agreement was signed by Jonathan Becker (right), executive vice president of Bard College and a member of the AUCA Board of Trustees, and Mirwais Azizi (left), chairman of Azizi Developments.
The American University of Central Asia (AUCA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Azizi Group, a leading UAE-based real estate and investment company, to provide $500,000 in financial support for the AUCA Afghan students whose education has been disrupted by the suspension of international funding. The agreement, signed by Jonathan Becker, executive vice president of Bard College and a member of the AUCA Board of Trustees, and Mirwais Azizi, chairman of Azizi Developments, marks a significant commitment to advancing equitable access to higher education for the Afghan students, many of whom are women and members of marginalized communities.
The purpose of this partnership is to support eligible Afghan students currently enrolled at AUCA, particularly those whose studies have been affected by the loss of foreign assistance. The funding will enable them to complete their degrees either in-person or online, and will cover a comprehensive range of academic and living expenses. AUCA will continue to seek additional funding to replace the terminated financial support, but the support provided by the Azizi Group, together with other charitable commitments, has enabled AUCA to reassure its Afghan students caught midway through their degree programs that they will be able to finish their degree at the university.
“This generous contribution arrives at a time when many Afghan students are left vulnerable due to lost international funding,” said Becker. “Thanks to Mr. Azizi’s extraordinary support, these students now have renewed hope and stability.”
“We would like to also thank the government of the Kyrgyz Republic for their continued support of the education of Afghan students: they have shown tremendous leadership in welcoming Afghan students and in recognizing the long-term value of forging connections with the next generation of leaders.”
Post Date: 07-16-2025
The purpose of this partnership is to support eligible Afghan students currently enrolled at AUCA, particularly those whose studies have been affected by the loss of foreign assistance. The funding will enable them to complete their degrees either in-person or online, and will cover a comprehensive range of academic and living expenses. AUCA will continue to seek additional funding to replace the terminated financial support, but the support provided by the Azizi Group, together with other charitable commitments, has enabled AUCA to reassure its Afghan students caught midway through their degree programs that they will be able to finish their degree at the university.
“This generous contribution arrives at a time when many Afghan students are left vulnerable due to lost international funding,” said Becker. “Thanks to Mr. Azizi’s extraordinary support, these students now have renewed hope and stability.”
“We would like to also thank the government of the Kyrgyz Republic for their continued support of the education of Afghan students: they have shown tremendous leadership in welcoming Afghan students and in recognizing the long-term value of forging connections with the next generation of leaders.”
Post Date: 07-16-2025