Dr Diana Pauna is Interim Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) at the University of Central Asia. Based in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, she works across UCA’s Naryn and Khorog campuses and the University’s Central Administration Office in Bishkek. Her leadership focuses on strengthening links between academia and industry and expanding opportunities for young people to pursue high-quality education and contribute to society.

From 2016–2020, Dr Pauna served as Dean of SAS, guiding its establishment and growth across the two undergraduate campuses. She brings extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum innovation and institutional development, and has served on advisory, editorial, management and supervisory boards. Before joining UCA, she was Pro-Rector at the Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, leading undergraduate programmes in economics and business. During a sabbatical at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she focused on entrepreneurship education and faculty development. She is a published author on higher education policy, academic leadership and the creative knowledge economy.