UCA Hosts Inaugural Digital Forum to Advance Innovation and Governance in Kyrgyzstan

The University of Central Asia’s (UCA) Institute of Public Policy and Administration, Graduate School of Development, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Digital CASA-Kyrgyzstan project, hosted the inaugural Digital Forum on 14-15 November in Bishkek.

This first cross-regional initiative of its kind in the Kyrgyz Republic brought together leading scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and civil society actors to explore digital innovation, governance, and inclusion in the region. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including artificial intelligence, big data, smart cities, and cybersecurity. The themes also highlighted their practical application in improving citizens’ quality of life.

The Forum's official partners were JSC “Alfa Telecom - MEGA,” the Kyrgyz Investment and Credit Bank (KICB), and Greenlight – IT Solutions and Consulting, with the Akipress News Agency serving as the media partner.

In his opening remarks, Mr Zamirbek Kozhomuratov, Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development emphasised the Ministry’s wide-ranging partnership with UCA. He noted that as part of this collaboration, a large number of government officials have been provided cutting-edge training and have been equipped to tackle digital development challenges. “Together with UCA, the Ministry is fostering innovation and driving sustainable economic growth in Kyrgyzstan,” he said.

Professor Christopher Gerry, Rector of UCA and Dean of the Graduate School of Development, underlined UCA’s commitment to advancing digital transformation in Kyrgyzstan and the region. “Today’s Forum marks the beginning of a new phase in our engagement with digital governance and transformation,” he stated, while announcing the launch of the Digital Policy Lab, a collaborative hub for developing forward-thinking digital policies. He also announced several new initiatives such as a master’s programme in Economic Analysis with Data Science; a regional training centre for public sector officials from Central Asia; and a Data Hub to act as a repository of multi-sectoral information on economics, environment, and climate, and support evidence-based decision-making.

Winners of UCA’s inaugural Student Hackathon titled “Digitalisation for Development” were honoured during the Forum. The Hackathon attracted an impressive group of 70 participants from eight universities across Bishkek, Naryn, and Tokmok, selected from nearly 200 applicants.

At the Forum, there was also mention of Naryn recently becoming the first city in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia to provide universal free Wi-Fi. This is a project implemented jointly by UCA, Naryn Governorate and Sky Mobile (Beeline).

Other notable speakers included Sayan Ashirbekov, Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC “National Information Technologies”, an operator of Kazakhstan’s e-government infrastructure, and Dr Colin Knox, Professor of Public Policy at Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan. Senior members of the diplomatic corps, including Dr Barkat Fazal, the Aga Khan Development Network’s Diplomatic Representative to Kyrgyzstan, were in attendance.