Address by Jyldyz Mambetova, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic in Naryn Region, at UCA's 2026 Graduation Ceremony

Your Highness Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, 

Honourable Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Shams Kassim-Lakha, 

Honourable Rector of the University of Central Asia, Professor Christopher J. Gerry, 

Honourable Resident Representative and Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in the Kyrgyz Republic, Dr. Barkat Fazal, 

Honourable Head of Programmes and Operations of the Aga Khan Development Network, Mr. Altaf Hasham, 

Dear parents, esteemed graduates, and distinguished participants of today’s ceremony, 

Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the graduation ceremony of the University of Central Asia’s Naryn Campus. 

Your Highness Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, 

Taking this opportunity, we would like to convey our sincere gratitude and warm greetings to His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V for the significant contribution that the Aga Khan Development Network under his leadership and the University of Central Asia continue to make toward the socio-economic development of Naryn Region. On behalf of the people of Naryn and personally on my own behalf, I express our deep appreciation and hope that our fruitful cooperation will continue in the years to come. 

This year, a total of 33 students are successfully graduating from the University of Central Asia’s Naryn Campus. Among them, 15 are citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, including three graduates from Naryn Region, which is a special source of pride for us. 

I am confident that, through their commitment to education, hard work, and talent, these young people will make a meaningful contribution to the future development of our country and our region. 

Positive achievements are also being seen in the field of education in Naryn Region. Our graduates are successfully gaining admission to leading universities in Kyrgyzstan and around the world. Last year, 11 applicants from Naryn were admitted to higher educational institutions in the People’s Republic of China, two students were accepted to Harvard University in the United States of America, while others are pursuing their studies in the Russian Federation and other countries. 

Among them is one of the first graduates of the University of Central Asia, Mr. Nurlan Nogoibayev, a graduate in Computer Science and a resident of Naryn Region, who is currently successfully pursuing his master’s degree in new technologies at Harvard University. Prior to this, he completed a master’s degree at Sorbonne University in Paris, France. 

These achievements are the result of our young people’s aspiration for knowledge, the dedicated efforts of our teachers, and the unwavering support of parents. The previous year was one of the successful years for the education sector. 

I firmly believe that this year we will further improve these results and take pride in twice as many achievements by our applicants. 

The School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) of the University of Central Asia in Naryn has been operating since 2006 and for over twenty years has been providing short-term and practical skills-based educational programmes in the Kyrgyz Republic. Through its learning centre in Naryn, it offers a range of courses, including English language, information technology, accounting, entrepreneurship, and preparation for the National Scholarship Test, as well as free support programmes for talented students from vulnerable groups of the population. 

In addition, through its Entrepreneurship Development and Startup Support Centre, the school has been supporting local entrepreneurs by creating opportunities for establishing new businesses and expanding existing enterprises. 

Dear graduates, 

May you dedicate the knowledge you have gained to the development of our homeland and the prosperity of our people, and become outstanding professionals in your chosen fields. Today’s achievements are the result of the tireless efforts of your parents, your teachers, and your own perseverance. 

I wish each of you good health, success in your future endeavours, a bright future, and great achievements. 

May your path always be open, and may your future be limitless. 

Thank you.