Published: 24 October 2014 г.
Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, 22 October 2014 – Mr Amanbai Kaiypov, Governor of Naryn Oblast, officially received Mr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, the Head of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Representation for the Kyrgyz Republic, during his working visit to Naryn.
Mr Kassim-Lakha, who is also Executive Chairman of the University of Central Asia (UCA) Board Executive Committee, briefed Governor Kaiypov on the progress of the University’s Phase I construction. Construction on the Naryn Main Campus, whichcommenced in September 2013, has progressed well with the works currently focusing on construction ofthe second floor of the Academic block and first floor of Dormitories.
“I am very pleased to note the pace of the construction on the University’s Main Campus in Naryn and that first cohort of students will be admitted in September 2016. The Government and people of Naryn express appreciation to His Highness the Aga Khan and the AKDN for the many development projects they have undertaken and are currently implementing in Naryn Oblast. We reiterate our full support for these projects,” noted Governor Kaiypov.
UCA, which is part of the AKDN, has served as an important driver and catalyst for development, working together with other AKDN agencies and in partnership with the local authorities and communities to build human capacity, increase access to high quality education, foster economic opportunities, develop infrastructure and strengthen local governance. Around 1,400 local citizens were directly employed by AKDN related agencies in the country in 2014.
“We are delighted that 350 construction workers, more than half of whom are from Naryn and other parts of the country, are employed and whose skills and capacity will be substantially enhanced by working on the UCA campus,” said Mr Kassim-Lakha.
The Aga Khan Development Network is a group of development agencies with mandates that include health, education, architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise, the revitalisation of historic cities and the environment. AKDN agencies conduct their programmes without regard to faith, origin or gender of beneficiaries.