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CONTACT: Laura Ingalls (laura.ingalls@worldlearning.org) in Washington, 1.202.646.6973
US Study Tour Inspires Kyrgyz Academics to Organize Conference
WASHINGTON, DC (January 20, 2010) -- A delegation of 10 Kyrgyz academics plan to host a national conference on university accreditation after participating in an exchange program funded by the United States Agency for International Development and organized by World Learning. If successful, the conference could help Kyrgyzstan’s Soviet-style educational system move a step closer to a free market model.
For three weeks, university administrators from Bishkek, Osh, Jalalabat, Naryn, and Karakol took part in the Community Connections Program. The program brought the Kyrgyz delegates to Cincinnati, Ohio to discuss how to improve the quality of education and administration in Kyrgyzstan with American educators. The talks explored issues such as accreditation, curricular reform, funding, and the recruitment of faculty and students.
"We not only gained an understanding of best practices within the U.S. education system, but also new partnerships and friendships with members of the greater Cincinnati community," said Bekzhan Torobekov, first vice chancellor for academic affairs at Kyrgyz State Technical University. "With all that we have learned and experienced in the United States, we are energized to share this information with our colleagues to make a difference in our country."
Like many former Soviet countries, Kyrgyzstan has no independent university accreditation agency. The government ministry responsible for licensing teachers also assesses the quality of educational programs in the country, presenting a conflict of interest and the potential for corruption. The proposed national conference would provide a venue for the Community Connection participants to share their exchange experiences with other educators and develop a strategy to move Kyrgyzstan toward the independent model.
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education has approved the delegates’ proposal for the conference, but the delegates must find funding and professional expertise to support their initiative. Parties interested in supporting the project are urged to contact Dr. Torobekov at +996 (312) 56-15-18 or bekjan2003@mail.ru.
The USAID Community Connections Program promotes public diplomacy through the exchange of cultural ideas and values among participants from former Soviet states, American families and host organizations. It seeks to establish and strengthen links between U.S. communities and those in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
"Public diplomacy remains one of our most powerful tools to promote peace and stability in the world," said Adam Weinberg, World Learning president and CEO. "World Learning is proud to be part of an initiative that is making a difference in the post-Soviet sphere."
Learn more about World Learning:
International Development Programs
The Experiment in International Living
SIT Study Abroad
SIT Graduate Institute
World Learning works globally to enhance the capacity and commitment of individuals, institutions, and communities to create a more peaceful and just world through education, training and exchange programs.
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