Knowledge for Resilience

The Impact of the University of Central Asia’s Institute of Public Policy and Administration 

In many towns throughout Central Asia, especially in mountainous and isolated areas, local governments are responsible for addressing complex development challenges, including demographic shifts, climate pressures, infrastructure requirements, and economic diversification. The challenges are exacerbated by restricted access to policy research, limited institutional resources, and the necessity to reconcile national directives with local priorities. The Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) at the University of Central Asia (UCA) exemplifies how academic institutions can effectively collaborate with public entities to strengthen resilience, improve decision-making, and promote inclusive local development.

Founded in 2011 within UCA’s Graduate School of Development, IPPA has collaborated with governments, civil servants, and development partners throughout the region to enhance policy analysis, increase access to relevant data, and support institutional capacity. IPPA distinguishes itself through its intentional emphasis on university towns such as Naryn (Kyrgyzstan) and Khorog (Tajikistan), communities that exemplify the challenges and opportunities inherent in regional development. In these contexts, IPPA's place-based methodology allows for meaningful engagement with local stakeholders, attentiveness to community needs, and collaborative development of initiatives that correspond with local aspirations and overarching policy frameworks.

Since its inception, IPPA’s research has examined critical subjects including transport connectivity, climate adaptation, rural livelihoods, food security and many other relevant topics, each pivotal to the economic and social resilience of towns and regions at large. For instance, the analysis of transport decarbonisation in six Central Asian nations underscores the necessity for equitable investment in both international corridors and local infrastructure, thereby facilitating informed strategic decision-making for regional connectivity. Research on the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has provided pertinent data to assist local officials in formulating more inclusive recovery strategies, particularly in areas such as agriculture, trade, and small business development.

In collaboration with United Nations agencies and national development platforms, IPPA has facilitated enhanced cross-sectoral coordination on critical issues, including nutrition, gender equity, and education. Its efforts regarding food security highlight the significance of regional collaboration and localised agricultural strategies in diminishing import reliance and enhancing community resilience.

IPPA’s contribution extends beyond research. A fundamental aspect of its mission is to facilitate the professional advancement of public servants, those who execute policies, oversee institutions, and drive change at the grassroots level. IPPA has enhanced the policy and analytical competencies of more than 100 civil servants in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan through tailored training programs, executive education, and certificate courses in partnership with institutions such as Carleton University, the IDRC, and national civil service academies. These trainings prioritise experiential learning, integrating global methodologies with local implementation, encompassing simulations of trade negotiations, policy impact evaluations, and local economic development strategies.

IPPA also serves as a facilitator of dialogue and exchange. The Institute facilitates opportunities for stakeholders, including municipal governments, universities, and civil society, to exchange ideas, learn collaboratively, and investigate solutions to common challenges through platforms such as the Life in Kyrgyzstan survey and conference, the Akchasana economics forum, and the Health and SDGs Think Tank. These dialogues are particularly crucial for municipalities and areas experiencing transitions, where intersectoral coordination and civic participation are vital for enduring resilience.

Ultimately, IPPA’s model illustrates how universities and public policy institutions can collaborate with government to foster local innovation, enhance policy frameworks, and co-invest in the individuals and processes that facilitate positive transformation. In university towns like Naryn and Khorog, this approach is particularly powerful: it brings together the academic strengths of the university, the governance role of local authorities, and the ambitions of communities to create places that are not only more resilient but also more inclusive, dynamic, and future-ready.