Press Release

American University of Central Asia and Bard College Launch Building Renovation for New Technical School of Innovation
 

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN – The American University of Central Asia (AUCA), in cooperation with Bard College and with the financial support of the American people provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has launched building renovations for the new AUCA Technical School of Innovation, a new educational project of AUCA aimed at preparing students and professionals, in a variety of fields, with strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The new school will allow AUCA to prepare a significantly higher proportion of Bishkek-based students for college-level work at AUCA, eliminating much of the remedial education that holds students back in their first year. Graduates will think critically, gain new skills, and understand the nature of global technological transformations and their implications for social and economic growth in the region.

“We are thrilled by this building project,” said Jonathan Becker, executive vice president of Bard College and acting president of AUCA. “The result will be a wonderful space that will serve as the home of AUCA's new technical school, but also as a venue for continuing education and masters programs that serve the entire Bishkek community. We are extremely thankful to USAID for their continued support.”

An on-site ceremony on February 20 included AUCA and government officials, as well as contractors involved in the project design and construction. Each participant laid a brick where new energy-efficient windows will be placed. The new building will include modern classrooms, a conference hall, lounges for students and faculty, a fully equipped dining room, and a first-aid station. The fully accessible building will also be equipped with energy-efficient utilities, and include solar energy collectors on the roof. In addition to the Technical School of Innovation, the building will house the Center for Lifelong Learning, and AUCA master’s degree programs. The interior of the building will be completed in August, with programs opening in the new building in September for the start of the fall semester.

Officials attending the launch ceremony included:
·            Chingiz Shamshiev, vice president/COO of AUCA
·            Nora Madrigal, health and education office director (USAID/Kyrgyz Republic)
·            Zaur Bostanov, project management specialist, energy/environment (USAID)
·            Almaz Sydykov, general director of LLC “Archstroyinvest”
·            Murat Beyshenbaev, author of the project and director of LLC “Arch Model”
·            Talant Zhusuyev, executive director of LLC “Expertise and Technical Supervision”
·            Uran Shergaziev, vice chancellor of the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after Konstantin Skryabin

The American University of Central Asia is an international, multidisciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition. Located on a newly constructed campus in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, its curriculum includes the Preparatory Program (New Generation Academy), 14 undergraduate majors, and four graduate programs. AUCA is the first university in Central Asia to offer U.S. accredited degrees in liberal arts programs through a partnership with Bard College in the United States. AUCA was founded with grants from, among others, USAID and the Open Society Foundations, which continues to provide support. For more information, visit auca.kg.

(2/25/19)
 

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This event was last updated on 02-26-2019