UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA (UCA)

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Message from Mowlana Shah Rahim (UCA Chancellor) to graduates of UCA - jun 24, 2025 read by the chairman of the Board of Trustees- Shamsh Kassim-Lakha

The University of Central Asia (UCA) marked a major milestone on 21 June with the graduation of its fifth cohort of undergraduate students. Ceremonies were held simultaneously at UCA’s residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, and Khorog, Tajikistan.

The joyous occasion also marked the official launch of the University’s Silver Jubilee Year

VIDEO 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFWomlMwKpE

VIDEO 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQswsGOF38o

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UCA maps avalanche risks across High Mountain Asia

VIDEO – UCA researchers used over 30 years of satellite imagery to map avalanche risks across High Mountain Asia, supporting safer planning.

Watch here: https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/mul ... -570519978

Researchers at the University of Central Asia (UCA), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), have mapped snow avalanche risks across High Mountain Asia, producing data to help mountain communities, planners and emergency responders better understand exposure to avalanches. The findings are published in an open-access study in Earth’s Future.


Using 33 years of Landsat satellite data, Dr Arnaud Caiserman, Senior Research Fellow at UCA’s Mountain Societies Research Institute, Professor Roy Sidle, Jakob F. Steiner and Evgenii Shibkov produced Snow Avalanche Frequency Estimation maps for High Mountain Asia, known as SAFE-HMA. The dataset maps avalanche activity from 1990 to 2022 at 30-metre resolution and identifies exposure risks for villages, roads, buildings and cultivated lands.


The study found that nearly 20 percent of buildings in High Mountain Asia are in areas at risk from avalanches, while up to 22 percent of the road network may be blocked annually by avalanche deposits, temporarily disconnecting villages from food, energy, medical supplies and communication infrastructure. The findings also show that across 85 percent of High Mountain Asia, no long-term trend in avalanche deposits was detected. However, in 15 percent of larger catchments, deposits increased, with some western areas experiencing warmer and wetter conditions that may contribute to unstable snowpacks.


“This open-access dataset is particularly useful for communities and emergency stakeholders who live and work in remote, landlocked valleys of High Mountain Asia, which suffer every year from avalanche risks with fatalities, damages, or road disconnections.”
Arnaud Caiserman, Senior Research Fellow at UCA Graduate School of Development's Mountain Societies Research Institute


Watch the animation above or read the full study https://ucentralasia.org/publications/2 ... nd-impacts and access the open dataset https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/S ... 869170?utm.

https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/mul ... -570519978

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2026, JUNE 20: : The University of Central Asia (UCA) Graduation Ceremony will be broadcast this year live directly from the university's mountain campuses in Nahryn, Kyrgystan. Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan is expected to speek at the opening. More info to come soon here.

WEBCAST: https://ucentralasia.org/graduation

Previous 2 days in Bishkek:

18-19 June 2026
International Conference on Mountains, Climate and Health in Central Asia
Venue: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Organisers: University of Central Asia
https://conference.ucentralasia.org/programme

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Graduation Ceremony Programme
SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2026
7:30 - 9:00 Tajikistan time, 8:30 - 10:00 Kyrgyzstan time
Graduation Procession Enters
National Anthems
Address: Professor Dr Christopher J Gerry, Rector
Address: Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan
Address by Chief Guest, Naryn
Valedictorian Address
Presentation of Degrees
UCA Silver Jubilee Film
Closing of UCA’s Silver
Jubilee Celebrations
Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha: Chair, Board of Trustees
Graduation Procession Departs

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UCA convenes International Conference on Mountains, Climate and Health in Central Asia


Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan delivers opening remarks at UCA’s first International Conference on Mountains, Climate and Health in Central Asia, where he noted: “The work ahead will demand stronger institutions, better data, deeper cooperation and investment in young people.”

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 23 June 2026 – Last week, the University of Central Asia (UCA) convened more than 200 researchers, policymakers, development practitioners and international partners to examine how climate change is affecting the health, livelihoods and well-being of mountain communities across Central Asia, at its first International Conference on Mountains, Climate and Health in Central Asia.

Central Asia is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Mountain areas are warming faster than the global average, with rapid glacier retreat, shifting precipitation patterns and more frequent extreme weather events already affecting public health, food security, water resources, livelihoods and infrastructure across the region.

Opening the two-day conference on 18 June, UCA Rector Professor Christopher J Gerry highlighted a central theme: the need to understand climate change not only as an environmental phenomenon, but as a human challenge with wide-ranging impacts on health, livelihoods, food systems, economic opportunity and community resilience.

In his remarks, Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan highlighted the importance of investing in knowledge, partnerships and human capacity to support the resilience and sustainable development of mountain societies.

“These challenges cannot be addressed by any one institution, or any one country, acting alone,” he noted. “Health systems, ecosystems and livelihoods – just as with rivers and glaciers – do not stop neatly at national borders. In mountain regions, cooperation is a practical necessity. The work ahead will demand stronger institutions, better data, deeper cooperation and investment in young people.” Read the full speech https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/res ... d-aga-khan

Opening addresses were also delivered by Almaz Musaev, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Nurlan Kurmalayev, Vice Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Speakers included senior government officials, representatives of international organisations, leading researchers and development partners. Among them was Guangzhe Chen, Vice President for the World Bank Group's Planet Vice Presidency, reflecting growing regional and international attention to the challenges facing mountain communities.

Participants from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Germany, the United States, France, Norway, Canada, Pakistan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland explored how changing mountain systems are increasingly shaping the everyday lives and well-being of the people who depend upon them.

Particular emphasis was placed on mountain-specific challenges that are often overlooked in global climate and health discussions. While mountain regions experience some of the earliest and most severe impacts of climate change, they remain underrepresented in research, policy frameworks and financing mechanisms. The conference also showcased emerging research on glacier dynamics, water security, air quality, food systems, human health, climate-induced vulnerabilities, and innovative approaches to climate-health data and decision-making.

The conference reflected UCA's growing role as a regional centre for research, policy engagement and knowledge exchange on the opportunities and challenges facing mountain societies. Through its research institutes, academic programmes and partnerships, the University is increasingly contributing evidence and expertise to support decision-making on climate resilience and sustainable development across Central Asia.

As preparations begin for the Bishkek+25 Global Mountain Summit in 2027, the conference underscored the importance of strengthening the connections between research, policy and practice. Participants highlighted the need for greater collaboration, investment and evidence-informed action to protect the health, resilience and prosperity of mountain communities across Central Asia. Through its programmes and community engagement, UCA will continue to support research and regional partnerships to advance that goal.

https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/wha ... -570519978

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UCA celebrates Class of 2026 and concludes Silver Jubilee Year


Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic: Prince Aly Muhammad joins the Class of 2026 during UCA’s graduation ceremony and Silver Jubilee celebrations.
Photo: AKDN / Iskender Ermekov


UCA’s Silver Jubilee Year marks 25 years since the signing of the International Treaty that established the University through a partnership between Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ismaili Imamat.
Photo: AKDN / Didor Sadulloev


Sixty graduates from the three founding states, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia, received degrees in Computer Science, Communications and Media, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Global Economics.
Photo: AKDN / Iskender Ermekov


Prince Aly Muhammad delivers a message from Mawlana Hazar Imam, UCA Chancellor, during UCA’s graduation ceremony.
Photo: AKDN / Iskender Ermekov


Jyldyz Mambetova, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Naryn Region, commends UCA for bringing internationally recognised higher education to remote mountain regions.
Photo: AKDN / Iskender Ermekov


UCA Rector Professor Christopher J Gerry: “We bring together students, researchers and practitioners from different countries, cultures and disciplines, and encourage them to build bridges between worlds that too often remain separate.”
Photo: AKDN / Iskender Ermekov


Valedictorian Syed Shujaat Ali addresses his graduating class: “The world does not want us to be perfect, it needs us to be present, persistent and purposeful.”
Photo: AKDN / Didor Sadulloev


Graduates at UCA’s residential campus in Khorog, Tajikistan mark the culmination of their studies and begin new journeys, ready to contribute to their communities and beyond.
Photo: AKDN / Didor Sadulloev

The University of Central Asia (UCA) celebrated a major milestone on 20 June with the graduation of its sixth cohort of undergraduate students at the University’s residential campuses in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, and Khorog, Tajikistan. The occasion also marked the University’s 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter century of advancing education, research and development across Central Asia.

UCA's Silver Jubilee Year commemorated 25 years since the signing of the International Treaty that established the University through a unique partnership between the Republics of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ismaili Imamat. Throughout the year, UCA has celebrated its enduring commitment to improving the quality of life of people living in the mountain regions of Central Asia.

The occasion was honoured by the presence of Prince Aly Muhammad, who joined graduates, their families, government representatives, members of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), UCA's Board of Trustees and other distinguished guests in celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026 and reflecting on UCA's first quarter century of impact across Central Asia.

Sixty graduates from the three founding states, as well as Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia, received degrees in Computer Science, Communications and Media, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Global Economics. This year's graduates represent a new generation of leaders, researchers, innovators and professionals whose academic work reflects many of the critical challenges and opportunities facing Central Asia today.

In a message to the graduating class, Prince Aly Muhammad highlighted UCA’s role in advancing the expanding educational, economic and social opportunities across Central Asia and reflected on the 25th anniversary as a time to honour the extraordinary partnership that led to the University’s founding. He also delivered a message from Mawlana Hazar Imam, UCA’s Chancellor, reaffirming the University’s commitment to research, innovation and the sustainable development of mountain societies. Read the full speech https://the.ismaili/speech/introductory ... ation-2026

In his message, the Chancellor reflected on the broader purpose of education, noting: “Your education has given you knowledge and skills. I hope it has also strengthened your judgement, deepened your sense of responsibility, prepared you to listen with care, to think independently and to work with others in a spirit of respect.”

The graduation programme also featured addresses by the Rector, government representatives and the class valedictorian.

“UCA has brought world-class higher education to mountain regions, enabling young people to access quality learning in their own communities,” noted Jyldyz Mambetova, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Naryn Region.

UCA Rector Professor Christopher J Gerry highlighted how education can be transformative – not only for individuals, but also for their families and communities: “What makes this university distinctive is not simply its programmes or its locations, but the connections it creates. We bring together students, researchers and practitioners from different countries, cultures and disciplines, and encourage them to build bridges between worlds that too often remain separate.”

Both the Chancellor's message and the Rector's address emphasised the importance of curiosity, judgement, ethical leadership and cross-cultural understanding in a world increasingly shaped by technological, environmental and social change.

“We have grown up in mountainous communities where uncertainty is not a rarity – it is the order of the day,” said Valedictorian Syed Shujaat Ali from Gilgit, Pakistan. Reflecting on the experiences of his graduating class and the future ahead, he concluded: “The world does not want us to be perfect, it needs us to be present, persistent and purposeful. The mountains teach us that the summit is not the end, but simply a higher perspective bringing into view the next valley and peak worth exploring. So, keep climbing, and do so together.”

As UCA concludes its first 25 years and looks towards the future, the Class of 2026 stands as a testament to the University's enduring mission: preparing graduates with the knowledge, skills, values and sense of purpose needed to contribute meaningfully to their communities, and the wider world. Looking ahead, UCA remains committed to building on this foundation to expand opportunities and strengthen its impact across the region in the years to come.

https://the.ismaili/ca/en/news/uca-cele ... bilee-year

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From small ideas to sustainable businesses in Afghanistan


Tailored clothes on display. Entrepreneurship training from UCA SPCE's Faizabad Learning Centre is helping young business owners in Afghanistan turn small ventures into steady sources of income.

Across Afghanistan’s remote mountain communities, many young people are working to create opportunities for themselves and those around them. For aspiring entrepreneurs, turning an idea into a sustainable business often requires more than determination alone — it requires practical skills, confidence and support.

Through entrepreneurship programmes delivered by the University of Central Asia’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (UCA SPCE), young business owners in Faizabad and Badakhshan are gaining the tools to strengthen their enterprises, generate income and create opportunities for others in their communities.

UCA is part of the Aga Khan Development Network, and was founded through an International Treaty signed by the Presidents of Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Kazakhstan, and Aga Khan IV. Since its creation in 2006, UCA SPCE has supported more than 310,000 learners across Central Asia to acquire skills in entrepreneurship, business management, IT and vocational fields through its 18 learning centres.

From tailoring workshops and retail shops to creative ventures rooted in Afghan cultural traditions, their stories demonstrate how practical education and entrepreneurship can contribute to resilience, inclusion and local economic growth.


Bonu started with one sewing machine and trained at UCA SPCE's Faizabad Learning Centre. Her tailoring workshop in Badakhshan now employs six women.

Sewing a future through entrepreneurship

Growing up in Badakhshan, 21-year-old Bonu always envisioned a future in which she could work independently while helping create opportunities for other women. With a single sewing machine and modest savings, she opened a small tailoring shop.

Early doubt from others did not deter her. Instead, she focused on understanding her customers, improving her designs and slowly building trust within her community.

“When I started, many people told me it was impossible for a woman to run a business here,” Bonu says. “But I believed in myself and trusted the women around me. I knew that if we worked together, we could succeed.”

To strengthen her skills, Bonu enrolled in UCA SPCE’s Entrepreneurship programme at the Faizabad Learning Centre, where she received training in market analysis, financial management and team building. The programme helped her shift from an informal approach to structured business planning.

As her business grew, she began hiring other women – turning her shop into both a workplace and a learning space. What began with one machine has since developed into a stable enterprise serving a growing client base.

Today, Bonu employs six women aged 21 to 35, providing them with income and practical skills.


Hamza Ashraf reorganised his Faizabad retail shop after entrepreneurship training at UCA SPCE in 2023. It now supports his family of seven.

Turning a struggling shop into a growing business

In Faizabad, Hamza Ashraf began his entrepreneurial journey with a small retail shop and an investment of 170,000 Afghani (approximately $1,100). Like many first-time entrepreneurs, he initially relied on effort and intuition alone but soon encountered challenges in managing finances and understanding market demand.

After a year of slow progress, he began to question whether the business could continue.

Everything changed in 2023, when Hamza enrolled in UCA SPCE’s Entrepreneurship programme. For the first time, he was introduced to structured business planning, financial management and market analysis.

“The programme helped me understand how to organise my business and respond to customer needs,” he explains.

He later strengthened his knowledge further through training in marketing and communication, learning how to promote products and improve customer engagement.

Applying these skills, Hamza reorganised his shop, refined his product selection and improved his approach to customers. Gradually, the business stabilised and became a reliable source of income for his family of seven.


Khursheda's glass miniature paintings combine traditional Afghan techniques with contemporary design. She plans to exhibit nationally and internationally.

Transforming creativity into a sustainable craft business

For Khursheda, entrepreneurship began with creativity – and curiosity. Seeking both personal growth and economic independence, she joined UCA SPCE entrepreneurship and business training courses in Faizabad.

The programme introduced her to financial accounting, market analysis and strategic planning, alongside real-life examples of business successes and challenges.

“UCA didn’t just teach business basics,” she says. “They helped me understand how to think long term.”

Using these skills, Khursheda launched a glass miniature painting business that blends traditional Afghan techniques with contemporary artistic expression.

She now produces commissioned pieces, showcases her work and earns a steady income, while planning to expand into exhibitions at national and international level.

“Thanks to UCA SPCE, I know how to price my work, identify my customers and plan for growth,” she says.

Looking ahead, she hopes to expand her workshop, train other women and introduce her art to wider audiences – turning a personal passion into a platform for cultural expression and shared opportunity.

*Names have been changed for security reasons.

https://the.akdn/en/resources-media/wha ... -570519978