Kyrgyzstan: AUCA as Victim of Parliamentary Deputies
As CXW has already reported, the Kyrgyz blogosphere is gradually expanding with a new blog called Nomadistan appearing online. Within a short period of its existence, it already attracted bright and open minded authors and guests who leave their comments. The blog sounds quite promising:(About Nomadistan)
Whether you’re a first-time explorer or a seasoned warrior of the steppe, Nomadistan will provide new information and perspectives on issues that will grab your attention.
During the last week, one of the most discussed topics among Kyrgyz bloggers was the situation around the American University in Central Asia. As its website says, AUCA has an established reputation for “dedication to democratic values, individual freedoms and the spirit of innovation”, and, indeed, it has played an important role in the region’s educational field and grew into one of the academic leaders in Central Asia.
However, on February 15, the Jogorku Kenesh [Parliament] deputy Ishak Masaliev raised [ru] the issue of AUCA’s location and gave a commission to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education and Culture to address his concers. The main argument was that the building of the university has a historical importance as it used to be home for the Kyrgyz government in Soviet times. He also alleged that the majority of AUCA students come from rich and highly-ranked officials’ families, while poor students from regions make up a very small percentage.
This statement spurred a heated discussion in the blogosphere. Ibragim from Nomadistan notes:
I can assure the readers that the majority of students represent middle class, most of them get financial aid in order to pay tuition fees. I guess our deputies should take care of serious problems of the whole country, but not give hard time to the developing institutions like AUCA….
Kanykei, an AUCA student, has also expressed her opinion:
I am not a government official’s or a millionaire’s daughter. I am from a regular family, and I’m happy that I can get quality education in Kyrgyzstan without bribery, which, unfortunately, exists in most universities. AUCA really gives generous opportunities for all students.
Tuliprevolution condemns an old-school MP Masaliev:
Masaliev is still dreaming of Soviet-type free-of-charge education! Man, wake up, its capitalism era!!! Besides, if it’s the point of private higher education institutions without scholarships, then why he did not start with another university of a kind, KRSU? A communist never says things like that about a university, controlled by a “bigger” brother…
Anonymous from Akipress blog says [ru]:
54 per cent of AUCA students come from the regions. My sister studies there and she has never had to pay or bribe teachers.
We can now only hope that this university - that brings together bright and intellectual young minds from all parts of Central Asia and beyond - will not be forced to leave the place where it is currently located.
Also posted on Global Voices Online.
on February 20th, 2008 at 3:46 am
AUCA is corrupt as the rest of the schools here in Kyrgyzstan. I am an American and this school and the staff don’t have a clue.
on February 20th, 2008 at 7:06 am
I enjoyed reading these comments since I taught at AUCA for 2 years (2004-6) and hope to return there this Fall. My own experience was that more than half of students were there from the regions, and most get financial aid to be able to attend classes. Very few students were from rich/powerful classes. I was unhappy about how separated AUCA is from the rest of the country, and wish it did more to create connections with Deputies and regular people. It also needs to do better at integrating the Russian and US educational systems, since at least half of the professors have a Soviet background. But AUCA’s emphasis on academic achievement is true and transformative, and I have never enjoyed students as much in any US university. My wife loved her visits and is even trying to teach there in the Fall, too! It’s far short of perfect, but offers a lot of inspiration for students from other universities, who were amazed at the quality of work of AUCA undergraduates. Hope to see some of you there assuming we can make it back to crazy, fun Kyrgyzstan…
on February 21st, 2008 at 11:50 am
I study at AUCA and I can not say that all students from Kyrgyzstan are children of deputies or rich entrepreneurs. For instance, I represent the middle class and have a financial aid, so I have an opportunity to study in such a wonderful univerisity like AUCA! But I don’t understand what actually wants Mr. Massaliev and whom interests he represents. First, he confirms that the university has to pay the facility and that AUCA has to give the opportunity for students from Kyrgyzstan to study for free of charge but after all he says that even if AUCA will comply with above mentioned demands he won’t stop and will make AUCA to move from “historical building”. If it is only about the building, why he touches the theme of scholarships and facility? It makes a sence that Mr. Massaliev doesn’t know what he wants from our university.