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The University of Central Asia (UCA) hosted the top Grade 10 students from Tajikistan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Kazakhstan for its Annual Summer Camp beginning 21 July at the Royal Beach Resort in the Kyrgyz Republic’s Lake Issyk Kul region.

The UCA Summer Camp brings together students for an exclusive academic enrichment experience, where they will upgrade their English and math skills and receive vital assistance to apply to local or international universities. Students from the three founding states will have the opportunity to build friendships and long-lasting connections.

Mr Jenishbek Orumov Bukaraevich, Regional Coordinator, Higher Education Issyk Kul Oblast Administration; Dr Duishon Shamatov, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Educations, Nazarbayev University and Dr Ariff Kachra, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences, UCA welcomed the students, counsellors and faculty to this year’s programme.

 

“The Issyk Kul Oblast Administration welcomes Central Asian students and UCA’s international team. We welcome you and are delighted to see UCA facilitate regional cooperation for regional youth. This rigourous programme will ensure future generations work well together and progress academically,” said Orumov.

A rigorous and merit-based admissions process began in May 2016 seeing as many as 600 applicants, culminating in 80 Grade 10 students who will attend this year’s Camp. 

“Returning for a second consecutive year, the 2016 Summer Camp will connect outstanding students from each of our three founding states for a unique residential academic programme. Faculty and counsellors will come from around the world and with UCA’s first campus scheduled to open in Naryn in September, these students will get an un-paralleled opportunity to experience a world-class educational experience.” said Dr Ariff Kachra, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences.

 

The Camp continues until 9 August 2016. Camp sessions will follow an exciting schedule pairing academics with other learning opportunities. Participants will spend 4 hours per day in English and Maths classes. 

They will also attend workshops and receive resources to navigate their success with university applications, including sessions on how to apply to university; choose a programme of study based on career interests; and prepare for university entrance requirements.

Other activities including sports, drama, debating and field excursions, will provide enhanced opportunities for participants to practice English-language skills and share unique experiences with fellow campers. This year’s participants will also enjoy the unique opportunity to visit the first UCA campus in Naryn before its official opening in September 2016.

The 2016 Summer Camp team is led by Erik Krauss, Manager of Student Affairs, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the education sector in North America, Europe and Central Asia to UCA. Camp Director Farrah Kamani of Canada brings considerable experience working in youth camps and is returning for a second year after serving as Deputy Director for UCA’s Summer Camp in 2015. 

Krauss and Kamani lead a multi-national team of twenty trained and accomplished administrators, teachers and camp counsellors. The staff-student ratio is one to eight and camp teachers will work closely with counsellors during sessions to ensure participants grasp learning opportunities and stay on track.

This year’s camp also brings together UCA’s pioneering preparatory year faculty who hail from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Columbia, the Philippines and Germany. The eight faculty have recently returned from a rigorous pedagogical and curriculum training programme with UCA’s partner, Seneca College, Canada.