196 UCA Employees Receive Long Service Awards
UCA celebrated and recognized long-serving employees on 7 February 2023 at a special event held simultaneously at seven UCA campuses in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Afghanistan. 196 employees, representing over 25 percent of the University’s workforce, were recognised for 10, 15 and 20 years of service and commitment at the inaugural Long Service Awards ceremony attended by UCA Senior Management, faculty, and staff as well as members of families of staff that have passed away.
Speaking on behalf of the Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, the Board of Trustees (BoT), and Senior Management, Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chairman of UCA’s BoT conveyed his felicitations to recipients of the awards on achieving this significant milestone in their career at UCA. “This is a big day for the University which has benefitted enormously from the loyalty, dedication, and devotion of its employees. It is also an opportunity to thank your families for their sacrifice and support, without which your journey may have been much more challenging. Your award today is their award as well,”.
In his remarks, Dr. Kassim-Lakha reminded the audience of the Chancellor’s guidance that when UCA thinks of priorities, people always come first, and shared a quote from the Chancellor’s speech at UCA’s First Convocation in June 2021 to underline the important contributions made by employees towards the establishment and steadfast progress of UCA: “In partnership with the Founding States, we established a type of institution that is new to Central Asia and the larger world. Planning for an original concept, and making it operational, was a complex process that involved purposeful architectural design, construction, detailed academic planning, training, and recruiting faculty. All of this was accomplished in a decade, which is a fast-forward speed for most universities. The many who worked on the UCA project in the past, and the University community today, can take pride in this achievement and have our warmest appreciation.”
The staff cheered their colleagues as they were honored with framed certificates of appreciation and special gifts inscribed with their names and adorned with the UCA logo.
Upon receiving his award, Hofiz Mirzonabotov, Director of Construction and Facilities Division who has been with UCA for over 20 years, shared his joy and gratitude: “It has been a true honour and privilege to work at UCA. The university has given me opportunities for growth and supported me in my professional and personal life. I am proud to be part of the University and to have been able to serve it for so many years and see the impact it is having on the quality of life of the mountain communities of Central Asia.”
