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On 9 October 2013, 50 students from Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic visited the University of Central Asia’s School for Professional and Continuing Education (UCA-SPCE) Town Campus to learn about landscape architecture and UCA’s main Naryn campus.

 

The students, aged 10 to 15, attended a presentation by Kirree Jenkings, Associate Director of Landscape Architecture at AECOM, UCA’s campus executive designer. This is the second joint UCA-AECOM presentation for youth in the mountainous community. The first focused on engineering and UCA campus design. The presentation was in English, with Russian subtitles and Chyngyz Usubaliev, Liaison Officer, UCA Construction and Facilities Division Naryn, provided Kyrgyz translation.

 

Jenkings spoke on various aspects of landscape architecture and presented the design for the UCA campus. She explained how the design was inspired by the nearby Naryn River and capitalised on locally sourced building materials. Colourful stone and timber from Naryn were incorporated to complement the surrounding mountain environment.

 

Jenkings also described how natural and architectural elements can work together to create a calm and intimate environment for students and faculty. The UCA design will provide a conducive ambience for students, with open green areas for outdoor activities and studying. Riverside outdoor teaching areas will offer alternative settings for learning.

Naryn students engage with Kirree Jenkings, AECOM Associate Director of Landscape Architecture.

“The students were excited about the possibility of further developing Naryn’s parks and streets,” said Jenkings. “They asked if AECOM would come to Naryn and improve their landscapes. I told them to speak to the local government and ask them to get in touch with us!” The students also asked about admission to UCA, the expected number of students and courses to be taught at the Naryn campus.

Following the presentation, Jenkings felt more connected to the project and UCA’s mission; “It was rewarding to feel I was making a contribution to the futures of young people in Naryn as a member of the UCA Executive Design team. It was great to come here and connect with the students in this way.”

UCA Naryn’s Phase I illustrative masterplan including outdoor recreational and learning spaces.

 

The following week, on 16 October 2013, SPCE Naryn facilitated a tour of the main UCA campus site for 60 Grade 7 students from its Academic Achievement Programme. The students first visited the panoramic viewpoint, which offers views of Naryn Town and the campus site. They then toured the construction site, giving them an opportunity to visualise how the campus will look when it opens in September 2016.

 

SPCE students introduced to the UCA main campus by Chyngyz Usubaliev, UCA Liaison Officer.

 

The students also tried out their skills on UCA’s world class tennis and soccer courts at the campus site, which were opened to the public in 2012. The students enjoyed themselves so much that they asked “Can we come to play every day?”

Students having a friendly kickaround on the UCA soccer facilities.

These activities were part of a series of events organised by UCA to introduce Naryn youth to UCA as the campus is being developed. They reflect the University’s broader commitment to engage youth and the Naryn community. “By helping young people in Naryn understand the process of building the University, we are hoping to open their eyes to new career options and also enhance their knowledge of the opportunities UCA will bring when the campus opens its doors in 2016,” said Grant Robertson, Director of Construction.