Education - The Times Of Central Asia

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Religion

Kyrgyz Government Opens Islamic Academy to Strengthen Religious Education

On September 15, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a state-funded Islamic Academy in the town of Tokmok, approximately 60 kilometers east of Bishkek. Established by presidential decree, the institution is designed to accommodate 400 students and aims to offer structured training in Islamic theology, as well as courses in Islamic finance and banking. Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Sadyr Japarov emphasized that global threats of extremism and radicalism, including in Central Asia, underscore the need for “objective, scientifically grounded religious education aligned with traditional Islamic values”. He stated that the academy would serve as a regional hub for training imams and promoting spiritual development. Japarov also urged Kyrgyz youth to pursue religious education domestically, arguing that the academy removes the necessity of studying abroad. The launch comes amid increasingly stringent state regulation of religious activity. In January 2025, Japarov signed amendments to the Law “On Freedom of Religion and Religious Associations,” introducing restrictions on face coverings in public offices, coercion in religious conversion, ceremonies in closed institutions, and political or foreign-funded religious activities. As of 2024, Kyrgyzstan had 3,593 mosques and 220 registered religious schools, most of them located in the southern Osh region.

Education

Uzbekistan to Transition to 12-Year School System

Uzbekistan is preparing to transition to a 12-year general education system, Deputy Minister of Preschool and School Education Sardor Radjabov announced in an interview with Uzbekistan-24. The change will incorporate preparatory classes into formal education, extending schooling from the current 11 years to 12. The revised structure will include three stages: One year of school preparation Four years of primary education (grades 1-4) Five years of general secondary education (grades 5-9) Two years of full secondary education (grades 10-11), which may be completed at general schools, academic lyceums, military schools, or technical colleges According to Radjabov, the reform aims to enhance educational quality and eliminate obstacles faced by Uzbek students applying to foreign universities. Currently, graduates are often required to complete a one-year foundation program abroad before qualifying for undergraduate studies. “This means our children lose a year,” he said. “If we implement the 12-year education system, students will no longer need to study foundation courses in several countries and will be able to enter undergraduate programs directly.” He added that aligning Uzbekistan’s education system with international standards would expand opportunities for graduates and narrow the gap between local and global academic systems. The reform builds on earlier changes to Uzbekistan’s school structure. In 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed the reinstatement of an 11-year general education framework, emphasizing its role in improving the connection between schools and colleges. Since then, most schools have operated under the 11-year model.

Bilateral Relations

Uzbekistan and United States Leaders Discuss Expanding Strategic Partnership

According to the office of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the Uzbek and U.S. presidents held a telephone conversation on Friday, focusing on ways to deepen their countries’ strategic partnership across economic, security, and cultural fields. The details of the call were provided by the Uzbek president’s office. Strengthening Economic Ties The presidential office reported that both leaders emphasized opportunities to expand trade and investment. Bilateral trade grew by 15% in 2024, and the two sides signaled interest in building on that momentum. Prospective projects span civil aviation, mineral resources, energy, agriculture, digital technologies, finance, and education. Later this month, meetings are expected between Uzbek representatives and leading U.S. companies to explore long-term cooperation. Security and Regional Cooperation According to the statement, security issues also featured prominently in the conversation. The two presidents noted ongoing joint work against terrorism, extremism, and illegal migration. They also exchanged views on regional cooperation in Central Asia, highlighting the role of the “C5+1” dialogue format that brings together the United States and five Central Asian countries. Cultural and Humanitarian Exchanges The Uzbek president’s office noted that the discussion touched on expanding cultural and educational links. Branches of U.S. universities are operating in Tashkent, providing new opportunities for academic exchange. Looking ahead, the leaders noted with satisfaction that Uzbekistan’s national football team will participate for the first time in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will be the main host of. A Growing Partnership Since Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency in 2016, Uzbekistan has pursued a more open foreign policy and a program of internal reforms aimed at modernizing the economy and improving governance. These changes have created new opportunities for cooperation with Washington. The United States, for its part, has supported regional initiatives through the C5+1 framework, while also seeking closer ties with Tashkent in areas such as counterterrorism, economic development, and education. American universities and companies have increased their presence in Uzbekistan, and cultural exchanges have expanded steadily in recent years. Next Steps The president’s office stated that President Mirziyoyev invited President Trump to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan. Both leaders agreed to maintain high-level contacts and continue advancing joint projects and programs. According to the Uzbek president’s office, the conversation was held in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, underscoring a shared interest in further strengthening Uzbek-American relations.

Education

Cardiff University Opens Campus in Astana

On September 3, Cardiff University in Wales officially inaugurated Cardiff University Kazakhstan in Astana, its first overseas branch campus and the only campus of a Russell Group research university in Central Asia. The event marked a milestone in the growing educational partnership between Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom. At the opening ceremony, Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek emphasized the country’s ambitions: “Kazakhstan is developing as a regional academic hub. This year, more than 31,000 foreign students came to our country. At the initiative of the head of state, a large-scale strategy is being implemented in higher education and science. One of its areas is the opening of branches of leading foreign research universities in our country. Over the past three and a half years, about 40 foreign universities have come to Kazakhstan, five of them have decided to open their campuses.” Cardiff University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, described the launch as a pivotal step in the institution’s global ambitions: “I was delighted to officially open our branch campus in Astana our first international branch campus of Cardiff University. We look forward to welcoming our first cohort of academically excellent students later this month. We are the UK’s first Russell Group university to open a campus in Kazakhstan, marking an important step in our future global ambition.” Beginning in late September, the campus will enroll students in four-year undergraduate programs in computer science, business management, civil engineering, and exploration geology. Courses will be taught in English by faculty from both Cardiff University and its Astana campus, with the branch operating under Cardiff’s direct academic governance to ensure international standards are upheld. The newly appointed British Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sally Axworthy, also attended the ceremony and welcomed the development: “It is a great honour to be participating in the grand opening of Cardiff University here in Astana as one of my first engagements as British Ambassador to Kazakhstan. The opening marks a new chapter in UK-Kazakhstan educational collaboration, bringing more world-class British academic excellence to Kazakh students and further strengthening the ties between our countries.” The arrival of Cardiff University reflects a broader national initiative to attract world-class institutions. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, several other prominent universities are also expanding into Kazakhstan. Russia’s prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) is planning to open a branch in Astana in September 2025. South Korea’s Woosong University is preparing to launch its campus in the Turkestan region this year. Meanwhile, Germany’s Anhalt University of Applied Sciences has already opened a branch in Almaty, and Italy’s Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona has inaugurated its campus at Zhetysu University in Taldykorgan. Looking ahead, France’s Grenoble INP - Phelma, UGA, an elite engineering school, plans to open a branch in Almaty in 2026. In the same year, the United States' Colorado School of Mines is scheduled to launch its first international campus in Zhezkazgan, a key center for Kazakhstan’s geological industry.

Education

China’s Luban Workshops in Kazakhstan: Skills-Building or Strategic Leverage?

At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China inaugurated two new vocational centers in Kazakhstan under the Luban Workshop initiative. The move highlights the growing emphasis on technical education and skills development across the region. Kazakhstan’s first Luban Workshop was launched in 2023 at Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, creating a platform to advance engineering and technical training. The program has since expanded with a second workshop at the Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana and a third at the Academy of Logistics and Transport in Almaty. This China-led program aims to share China’s educational expertise and technical resources with partner countries, with a particular focus on cultivating a new generation of skilled workers in developing economies. The workshops are not only a vehicle for workforce training but also a symbol of the Belt and Road Initiative’s people-to-people exchange dimension. By encouraging social and educational connections, China is seeking to complement government-to-government cooperation with deeper societal ties. The choice of Tianjin for the ceremony is not a coincidence. The Luban Workshop concept originated in this city and has been actively promoted by the Tianjin municipal government. Equally notable is Kazakhstan’s central role in the program’s expansion. The Kazakh government has expressed consistent support for Chinese-led educational partnerships, underlining the importance of vocational training to its national development agenda. During his visit to a Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan in February 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev praised the initiative, saying, “I am deeply appreciative of the contributions made by Chinese universities. They have executed exemplary work. I hope to see more workshops like this in Kazakhstan.” The expansion of China’s Luban Workshop initiative offers distinct benefits for both China and Kazakhstan. For China, the workshops help shift perceptions of its educational initiatives. Unlike the Confucius Institutes, which focus on cultural and language promotion, the Luban Workshops emphasize practical, in-demand skills in fields such as manufacturing and technology. This approach allows China to project a more pragmatic and development-oriented image, fostering goodwill in a way that is less vulnerable to geopolitical criticism. A second key benefit lies in the realm of soft power. By delivering tangible skills and opportunities, Luban Workshops can positively influence public attitudes toward China in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, such initiatives not only support technical education but also help frame Chinese investments as beneficial for local communities. Over time, this contributes to strengthening government-to-government ties and broader people-to-people connections, enhancing China’s long-term influence in the region. For Kazakhstan, the Luban Workshops provide benefits by helping to build a pool of technically skilled human capital. This directly supports the country’s industrial goals and broader economic development agenda. A more qualified workforce also enables local citizens to participate more actively in Chinese-backed projects in Kazakhstan, thereby boosting local employment. One of the recurring criticisms of China’s overseas investment projects has been the limited transfer of knowledge and skills. In many cases, local workers are confined to low-skilled, manual roles, while Chinese nationals occupy managerial and technical positions. The Luban Workshops...

Education

Kazakh and Chinese Universities Sign Over 20 New Cooperation Agreements

At the Kazakhstan-China Business Council meeting held in Beijing on September 2, leading universities from both countries signed more than 20 new agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in education, science, and innovation, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The wide-ranging agreements span areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, water resource management, and dual degree programs, highlighting the growing strategic role of academic and research collaboration in the Kazakhstan-China partnership. Among the most significant developments was the establishment of the Kazakh-Chinese Scientific and Technological Alliance on Spatio-Temporal Artificial Intelligence. The alliance includes the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Zhejiang University of Technology, and Zhejiang Zhonghe Technology Co., Ltd. A joint laboratory will also be launched as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) signed an agreement with Chinese investment and development firm Yuan Zhen to jointly design and produce unmanned aerial vehicles. KazNU also partnered with Jiangsu Huibo Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. to inaugurate the International Institute of Digital Technologies and Robotics, along with a Robotics Center dedicated to training the next generation of engineers. In Almaty, the Technological University signed an agreement with Beijing Technology and Business University to create the Kazakhstan-China Center for Technology and Innovation Development. Meanwhile, the Kazakh National University of Water Resources and Irrigation and the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU) agreed to collaborate on sustainable water management. In the digital sphere, Astana IT University signed a memorandum of cooperation with Tus-Holdings, a science park affiliated with Tsinghua University, focusing on information technology, artificial intelligence, and startup incubation. Multiple institutions expanded joint academic offerings. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University, ALT University, and Uzbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University all signed agreements with top Chinese universities to launch dual bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In the energy sector, the Atyrau University of Oil and Gas and Liaoning Petrochemical University will establish the Kazakhstan-China International Engineering School and a joint international laboratory. Additionally, Astana International University and Beijing Language and Culture University agreed to open a branch campus of the Chinese university in Kazakhstan. These agreements underscore the strategic role of higher education and scientific cooperation in advancing Kazakhstan-China relations, particularly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.