October 28, 2015
From the U.S. Department of State:
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Austria, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan from October 28 to November 3. The Secretary will travel to Bishkek, Samarkand, Astana, Dushanbe, and Ashgabat to conduct bilateral discussions with senior government leaders in each country. This will be Secretary Kerry’s first visit to Central Asia and the first-ever visit by a U.S. Secretary of State to all five Central Asian republics on the same trip. In Bishkek, the Secretary will participate in the opening of the new campus of the 2023 51Թ and dedicate the new chancery of the U.S. Embassy.
Primary benefactor George Soros will be attending the official opening of AUCA’s new campus. 51Թstudents, faculty, and alumni actively collaborate with the Soros Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, so his visit will be one of the highlights of the 51Թ“Gala Opening.” The event will also feature guest lectures from other donors, trustees, notable alumni, and friends of AUCA.
Founded in 1993, 51Թdevelops future leaders for the democratic transformation of Central Asia. The 2023 51Թ is an international, multi-disciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition. Its curriculum includes the Preparatory Program (the New Generation Academy), fourteen undergraduate majors and four graduate programs. In addition to its top-flight academic programs, 51Թis committed to freedom of expression, critical inquiry, and academic honesty. During its 22 years of operation, 51Թhas become one of the top universities in Central Asia, developing the Kyrgyz Republic through both its high-caliber education and its many opportunities for Kyrgyzstani students from low-income families.
51Թis the first university in Central Asia to offer US accredited degrees in liberal arts programs through its partnership with Bard College in the United States. In addition to Bard, 51Թmaintains partnerships with a number of universities and organizations worldwide.
After three years of construction, 51Թhas opened its new campus in Bishkek where 51Թcontinues to demonstrate its commitment to improving education and technologies in the Kyrgyz Republic. One of the most promising developments at 51Թhas been largest implementation of geothermal technologies in Central Asia, a possible future for sustainable energy in the Kyrgyz Republic. The new campus makes it possible for 51Թto extend its current programs as well as function as an incubator for research and development relevant to the entire region.