Opening of the AUCA Technical School of Innovation: A Four-Year Path!

October 29, 2019

On Saturday, October 26, the grand opening of the AUCA Technical School of Innovation was held. This is the only educational institution in Kyrgyzstan and region that provides an opportunity to receive an education equivalent to university programs after the 9th grade of secondary school.

Daniyar Imanaliev Head of the Strategic Development, Economics and Finance Policy Department under the President's Office, Kanybek Isakov Minister of Education and Science, Donald Lu Ambassador of the United States to the Kyrgyz Republic, Enrico Pianta Head of Consular Affairs of the Swiss Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, David Lakhdhir Chair of the AUCA Board of Trustees, Anne Dix American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) Office Director at USAID were invited to the opening ceremony. Guests were welcomed by the author and manager of the AUCA TSI project Chingiz Shamshiev. Moreover, AUCA president Andrew Kuchins was also invited to the ceremony and delivered the opening speech.

Over the past half-year, the old, soviet cafeteria transformed into the renovated and energy-efficient college equipped with the latest technology and modern equipment. The building was provided by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and renovated with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under a project implemented together with Bard College (USA).

The Technical School of Innovation has modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology and furniture, comfortable recreation area for students and faculty, a conference room and a first-aid post. Based on AUCA's commitment to sustainable solutions, the building was fully insulated, fitted with new utilities, energy-efficient windows, and roof solar panels to minimize energy consumption. Convenient ramps, an elevator, and special restroom cabins have been provisioned for people with special needs.

During the college tour, guests were able to view a photo exhibition showing the transformation process of the building.

After the tour, the official part has been started. David Lakhdhir emphasized that the idea of the Technical School of Innovation creation belongs to AUCA Vice President/COO Mr. Chingiz Shamshiev, and project implementation was made possible with the contributions of the Kyrgyz Republic Government, the Ministry of Education and Science, the U.S. Government represented by USAID and the American University of Central Asia.

Then the floor was given to the Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic Kanybek Isakov. Minister addressed: “We are facing a big challenge. Kyrgyzstan should become the educational hub of Central Asia. Universities and colleges should go international, develop export education, and educational tourism. Our youth is studying all over the world, our universities must be included in the international ratings.” At the end of his speech, Mr. Isakov presented artwork in the national style to the college.

AUCA President Andrew Kuchins noted that four years ago when Chingiz Shamshiev expressed the idea of creating TSI, members of the AUCA Board of Trustees were skeptical about it. But fortunately, the proposal was very well thought out, and eventually, the Board of Directors supported the initiative of Mr. Shamshiev. It took four years of hard work, cooperation between the governments of two states: the United States of America and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the American University of Central Asia itself for the project to be implemented.

Later, the event continued at the Sheraton Hotel with the participation of college students and their parents for the Initiation ceremony.

Head of the Strategic Development, Economics, and Finance Policy Department of the Office of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Daniyar Imanaliev read out a congratulatory message from the President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The President’s message says: “I am sure that college students will receive a worthy education, become professionals in their field and patriots of the country, and make a great contribution to the development of Kyrgyzstan. I wish you great success to TSI faculty, students, and staff!”

Vice Speaker Aida Kasymalieva read the congratulatory message on behalf of the Jogorku Kenesh (National Parliament). She also handed an honorary diploma of the Jogorku Kenesh to AUCA Vice President/COO Chingiz Shamshiev for his significant contribution to the development of the economy of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as for fruitful work in the field of science and education.

Zhanna Saralaeva Head of the Education, Culture, and Sports Department under the Government of Kyrgyzstan, member of the AUCA Board of Trustees, Chair of the TSI Board of Trustees, and Vice President of Bard College (USA) Jonathan Becker, International Dean and co-founder of the International School of Management in Geneva Philippe Grosskost joined the event.

After the opening remarks session, the Initiation and Students Senate inauguration has started. The first cohort of TSI students for the 2019-2020 academic year was made up of 203 individuals from France, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the USA.

The official part ended with a colorful concert prepared by talented students together with AUCA theater Mirrors.

Note:

The Technical School of Innovation (TSI) AUCA is a truly innovative project and unique in the post soviet area - the only educational institution in the region that provides an opportunity to receive an education equivalent to university programs after the 9th grade of secondary school. Unlike other 3-year professional educational institutions, it combines professional training with a liberal arts education integrating critical thinking and strong IT component within all courses throughout the curricula.

The TSI offers specialization in the following spheres:

Startup Finance and High Technology
Accounting and Corporate Social Responsibility
Innovative Banking and High Technology
New Entrepreneurship and Human Intelligence
Design Management and Design Thinking
Software Engineering and Social Transformation
Ecology and Energy Efficiency
Design and High Technology

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