The International Development Association (IDA) has announced it will provide Kyrgyzstan with a $25 million interest-free loan over 50 years, with a ten-year grace period.
The loan includes an allocation of $19.7 million to be divided between five of the country’s universities.
The Academy of Medicine will receive $4 million, $1.3 million of which will be invested in laboratories for biochemical research, genetics, and molecular biology; $900,000 on equipment for pathomorphological research, and $800,000 on equipment for a laboratory for pharmaceutical bioequivalence studies. The remaining $1 million will be spent on laboratories, IT equipment, and software for new and expanded educational programs.
Kyrgyz State Technical University will be allocated $3.2 million, $2.2 million of which will be used for equipment and software for three laboratories, IT equipment, and software.
The Kyrgyz National University (KNU) will also receive $3.2 million with $1.7 million allocated for scientific and IT equipment and software for teaching laboratories. The remaining $1.5 million will be spent on laboratories, IT equipment, and software for educational programs.
Osh State University (OSU) will receive $2.8 million, with $300,000 reserved for the purchase of an ultrasound machine for breast examination, $1.5 million for an MRI machine, and $1 million for laboratory and IT equipment and software programs.
The University of Agriculture has been allocated $3.75 million, with $800,000 to be used to purchase equipment for an infectious animal disease diagnostic laboratory, $1.2 million for molecular genetic equipment, $550,000 for equipment for a histology and immunohistochemistry laboratory, $400,000 for equipment for the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Food Safety, and $800,000 for laboratory and IT equipment and software.
The national budget will cover $5.3 million of the loan funds whilst the universities will pay off the remaining amount through revenue provided by laboratory services.
