Inauguration of the new AUCA President and Annual Initiation ceremony

November 14, 2019

#U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic#President#chingiz.shamshiev#Andrew Kuchins

On Tuesday, November 12 the Inauguration of President of the American University of Central Asia and the annual initiation ceremony for freshmen students took place at the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic named after T. Satylganov.

The ceremony started with opening remarks from the U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Donald Lu right after the national anthems of Kyrgyzstan and the United States. The ambassador congratulated parents of freshmen on the admission of their children to the most prestigious university in Central Asia.

Then the floor was given to AUCA Vice-President Chingiz Shamshiev. In his speech, he spoke about the traditions of the university, reflecting its spirit and values.

“Dear freshmen, dear parents! Three months ago, you became a member of the AUCA large and friendly family. Today, our family - a unique, critical-thinking community, has been expanded by 346 members. You studied with dignity for three months, and now there is very little left - 3.5 years. I wish you success,” addressed Mr. Shamshiev to the freshmen. 

Chingiz Shamshiev reminded everyone about another tradition that appeared eight years ago, every new president of AUCA gets inaugurated on the same day as freshmen.

The new AUCA President Andrew Kuchins was invited to the stage. He was awarded the presidential symbols of the American University of Central Asia under the storm of applause.

In his inaugural address, the president specifically said: “I did have a dream to be Secretary of State, but it turns out I got a better job, President of THE American University of Central Asia. Not the USA, but the AUCA! And now after nearly six months on the job, I am more aware of what a wonderful opportunity it is and what an important responsibility I have to ensure AUCA provides the best education possible for its students; people who will make important differences in the future for Kyrgyzstan and the world. Quite simply, this is the best job I have ever had. At AUCA we have fantastic faculty, great staff, and the best of all, THE BEST STUDENTS IN CENTRAL ASIA!!!”

Students' Life Officer Bermet Ismailova invited members of the new Senate to take the oath. It was uttered by Pavel Zalevskii on behalf of the Student Senate.

The solemn part ended with the performance of the world student anthem - Gaudeamus.

The most colorful part of the ceremony became musical “Cafe 7/6”, prepared by the Mirrors student theater under the direction of AUCA Artistic Director Nikolai Shulgin. Everyone plunged into the atmosphere of a seaside cafe, witnessed weddings, meetings, and partings, quarrels, insults and forgiveness, the triumph of eternal love. At some point, the cafe turned into a museum, where a midnight robbery takes place. The link of the whole action was the image of Arlekino, who consoled, enlivened, guided the characters, and accents.

 

More photos available here

<< go to news list