Co-operative Education Programme
The Co-operative Education (Co-op) Programme at the University of Central Asia (UCA) is a unique work-integrated learning programme where students apply in-class learning to real-life professional experiences within their field of study across private, public, and community-based sectors. UCA is the first university in Central Asian region and Eastern Europe to implement Co-op. It offers both paid and unpaid internships, preparing students for both academic and career success beyond the university’s classrooms. The Co-op Programme has been developed in partnership with the University of Victoria, Canada.
UCA's Co-operative Education Programme offers:
- Preparation for professional development course
- Full-time/part-time summer and winter job placements
- On-Campus Employment Opportunities
- Networking sessions, guest lectures, info sessions, workshops, and informal meetings with professionals
- Co-op Networking and Career Events
- Industrial Visits
- Alumni Engagement Activities
The work-integrated learning model allows the application of theoretical classroom knowledge in a professional environment and involves UCA faculty in program implementation to ensure educational continuity. Students have an opportunity to apply for placements in fields such as communications and marketing, monitoring and evaluation, business, finance, information technology, geographic information systems, project management, research, human resources, and education.
The Co-operative Education programme is mandatory for all UCA undergraduate students. Each student must complete at least one work term, accumulating 480 hours per year. It is an innovative initiative that provides opportunities for students to experience the working world, both domestically and internationally, through structured job placements during three consecutive summers over their five years of university education. Learning takes place throughout the process—from seeking employment to acquiring valuable interpersonal skills during the internship placement, as well as participating in field studies and conducting competency development evaluations.
An academic term integrated with Co-op programme comprises:
- a sequence of work and academic periods;
- monetary compensation for the work done, maintaining both employer and student engagement;
- evaluation of student and employer performance over the course of the work term;
- faculty engagement in the Co-op programme, as students’ work is not only supervised by the employer but also monitored by the academic institution;
- the work-integrated learning model allows the application of theoretical classroom knowledge in a professional environment and involves UCA faculty in programme implementation to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
Co-op Partners
Co-op partners comprise leading companies and organizations from across the region and internationally, including USAID, AKDN, AKF, AKAH, GIZ, IWPR, Eurasia Foundation, Coca Cola, OSCE Academy, American Chamber of Commerce, and many others. They are engaged not only as internship hosts, but also as active participants in all Co-op department events, including employers’ information sessions, job fairs, workshops, and curriculum review sessions.
In 2024, over 400 positions were announced for students.
Co-op Student Award
The Best Co-op Student Award is a highlight among Co-op activities, recognizes outstanding students for their exceptional co-op experiences. The award aims to recognize and celebrate students who have demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication during their Co-op experiences. This award seeks to acknowledge the exemplary efforts, achievements, and commitment of students within the Co-op program, fostering a culture of excellence and motivating students to excel in their professional development through practical work experiences.
Internship Experiences
This summer, Marzia Jafari joined the Asia-Pacific Summer Program (APSP) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The program brought together participants from 10 countries, offering a platform for academic learning and cultural exchange.
Marzia enrolled in a combined course on Machine Learning and Business, gaining insights into data-driven decision-making, algorithms, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking. Working with peers from across the region also strengthened her skills in teamwork, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration. Her favorite part, however, was the cultural exchange: “Meeting students from different countries and sharing traditions made the experience unforgettable.” For Marzia, APSP Dhaka was a transformative journey of growth, collaboration, and friendship across borders.
Mutahar Hussain, a Global Economics student from UCA Khorog, gained hands-on experience at the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the nation’s central bank that drives monetary policy, ensures financial stability, and leads critical economic research. During her six-week internship in the Research Department, she researched cryptocurrency regulation, analyzed connections between GDP, oil prices, and remittances, rotated across multiple research divisions to broaden her perspective
Mutahar described her internship as “eye-opening”:
“The most valuable part was seeing theories from my classes applied to real policy. A memorable moment was discussing Pakistan’s economic challenges with SBP economists and learning from their insights.”
Mutahar developed skills, networks, and perspectives that will help shape her future career in economics and policy.
One of UCA’s rising changemakers, who recently interned with Little Earth as a Community Mobilizer Assistant on the project “Mobilization of Tajik Youth in Rural and Urban Areas to Tackle Climate Change,” supported by Welthungerhilfe. Her role was truly hands-on: she conducted field visits in remote villages such as Varva, led climate education sessions, managed Little Earth’s Instagram page, and contributed articles to their official platform.
One of her most impactful experiences took place during a visit to Romit, where she introduced sustainable living practices to local residents. Through consistent work, open communication, and dedication, she earned the trust and respect of community members. From early morning field departures to confidently delivering public speeches, her journey was marked by resilience, purpose, and personal growth.
This internship was more than a professional milestone. It was a step toward building a sustainable future.
Syed Shujaat Ali serves as the president of the Organization for Educational Change (OEC), a youth-led non-profit focused on educational improvement in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. OEC runs 8 educational programs and has supported over 200 underprivileged students, currently sponsoring 50+ students with an annual investment of around 2 million Pakistani rupees. In 2023-2024, OEC was brought to the national level through a collaboration with the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan and Allah Walay Trust on a community teaching project across 17 schools. OEC’s effort was recognized in national media and has also received the "Hamaray Heroes Award."
Nilufar Nafasshoeva served as a communications intern with the Aga Khan Foundation Kyrgyzstan (AKF), where she supported the promotion of community-driven development initiatives. During her internship, she worked on success stories of Kyrgyz individuals and communities who created impactful local projects with AKF’s support. Nilufar developed engaging posters and videos to visually highlight these stories and managed their online publication, helping amplify community voices and inspire wider participation. Her contributions strengthened AKF’s outreach and showcased the positive change driven by local initiatives across Kyrgyzstan.
Iman Pirani, a Communications and Media student, originally from Pakistan, completed her summer internship with the Global Encounters Programme in Kyrgyzstan, collaborating with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). In this role, she applied her background in communications and media to contribute to research, social media management, content creation, filming, and editing. This experience not only enhanced her technical and professional expertise but also enriched her appreciation of Kyrgyz culture, lifestyle, and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration.
Class of 2025 Graduates CV Book
Class of 2025 Graduates CV Book
Browse the profiles of UCA’s Class of 2025 graduates. This CV Book showcases their academic achievements, internship experiences, and career interests.
Access the CV Book (Registration required)
WACE Global Challenge
The Co-operative Education Program, in collaboration with the World Association of Cooperative Education (WACE) and EdTech Practera, offers an exciting opportunity for UCA students to participate in the WACE Global Challenge. This 4-week virtual program brings together students from across the globe into multi-disciplinary teams to work on real industry problems that will have social and economic impact. (About the program: https://waceinc.org/Global-Challenge)
Executive summary on WACE Global Challenge #10:
Four students successfully completed WACE Global Challenge #10 (July 2024) and three students #11 (November 2024). Annually, around 10 UCA students participate in this virtual training/internship program, working on projects with real organizations. They collaborate with a team comprising students from 38 universities worldwide.
What students say about Global Challenge:
“It was one of the best experiences I ever had. It focused on the development of my several skills like leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, cultural literacy and problem solving. It is a value addition to my CV.”
-Sawera, Computer Science student
Alumni Association
The University of Central Asia’s Alumni Association was founded in 2021 by proactive members of the inaugural class of 2021. Operating within the umbrella of the UCA Co-operative Education Program, the mission of the Alumni Association is to cultivate lifelong connections, foster alumni engagement, and uphold the university’s mission. The Association provides a dynamic platform for alumni to stay connected, contribute to UCA’s advancement, and inspire future generations of students.
The mission of the Alumni Association is to connect, engage, and support both alumni and current UCA students. Through sustainable connections and meaningful interactions, the Association aims to provide professional development opportunities and foster a spirit of camaraderie among members. By serving as a resourceful platform for continuous learning, collaboration, and loyalty to UCA, the Association seeks to enrich the university experience for all members of the community.
Led by a dedicated team of eight members, the Alumni Association operates with precision, with each member fulfilling specific roles and responsibilities. The organization is structured into four key departments - PR, Finance & Administration, Community Affairs, and Content & Communication - ensuring efficient coordination and execution of initiatives. Mr. Ozar Aini, a 2021 UCA graduate in Computer Science, currently serves as the President of the Alumni Association, leading efforts towards realizing the vision and mission.
