Affordable Quality Education for Mountain Communities
Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful driver of social and economic development. Yet, according to UNESCO’s 2025 SDG 4 Scorecard, an estimated 272 million children and young people worldwide were out of school. Expanding access to quality education remains essential to building a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Based in Naryn and Khorog, UCA’s School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) has been built to provide opportunities for students from mountain communities to receive an international standard education without worrying about affordability. Currently, 74% of the student body is from rural areas or secondary towns, and 49% of the students are females.
UCA offers a generous financial assistance programme, enabling an average student to pay less than $140 per month in fees covering tuition, accommodation, and meals.
Since 2018, more than USD 1.25 million has been awarded through UCA’s SAS private donor-funded scholarship programmes, helping talented students pursue their education and ambitions.
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“UCA was established with the vision of providing world-class education, fostering critical thinking, and nurturing leaders who will contribute to the region’s social and economic development.”
Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha |
Partner in Expanding Educational Opportunity
If you would like to support UCA students by establishing a named scholarship endowment, please contact UCA’s Advancement and Public Affairs team at advancement@ucentralasia.org.
More than a scholarship
For Altynai Turgun, donor support has helped create opportunities to explore new ideas, tell meaningful stories and develop her skills as a communicator. From award-winning documentary filmmaking to investigative research and international collaboration, her journey shows how educational support can help students turn their ambitions into meaningful work.
Hear Altynai share what this support has meant to her and how it is shaping her future.
Support SAS Scholarships