UCA Hosts International Economics Olympiad

The University of Central Asia (UCA) in collaboration with the Economic Fundamentals Initiative (EFI) and Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic successfully hosted the second round of the International Olympiad in Economics in Bishkek in May. The top five winners were awarded certificates to participate in the final stage of the Olympiad in Bratislava, Slovakia, scheduled for September 2023.

The Olympiad, specifically designed for students in grades 9, 10, and 11, aims to raise awareness about the importance of economics and finance, and provide a platform for talented students to showcase their skills and compete internationally.

A total of 1,700 students from all regions of the country participated in the first round of the Olympiad, with 53 students advancing to the second round. The awards ceremony was attended by Kanybek Imanaliev, Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Dr. Christopher Gerry, Dean of UCA's Graduate School of Development.

The winners of the Olympiad from left to right: Orozbekov Aktan, Zarylbekova Gerda, Aibekova Aiym, Tilek Aruuke, Mukhtarzhanov Izatullo.

«I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the winners who have advanced to international round of the Olympiad. Your dedication and hard work have paid off, and you have rightfully earned this prestigious opportunity to showcase your talents on an international stage. I am grateful for the partnership with UCA and EFI which aims to enhance teaching and research opportunities, creating new economic prospects, and ultimately improving the quality of life for our citizens», - said Kanybek Imanaliev, Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic.

One of the winners, Izatullo Mukhtarzhanov from Osh, shared his experience, stating that before participating in the Olympiad, his knowledge of economics was superficial. He expressed his interest in the subject, saying, "Economics is a fascinating field as it is applicable in our daily lives. To prepare, I extensively studied various materials and articles related to economics. In the future, I might choose a specialization related to this subject."

While addressing the event participants, Dr. Christopher Gerry emphasized the importance of economic literacy and UCA's commitment to promoting it: "UCA aims to empower talented students, encouraging them to believe in themselves and their achievements. This year, we are proud to send five finalists from Kyrgyzstan to Europe for the Olympiad's final stage. In the coming years, we look forward to strengthening our partnership with the government, expanding teaching and research opportunities, creating new economic prospects, and enhancing the quality of people's lives."