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University of Technology Sydney and University of Central Asia Collaborate on Communications and Media

Published: 13 September 2017 г.

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the University of Central Asia (UCA), signed an agreement in Australia to strengthen the relationship between the Institutions and encourage cooperation in the field of Communications and Media on 12 September 2017.

Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha (L) and Professor Andrew Parfitt signing the Agreement.

“We look forward to great things happening with this partnership,” said Professor Andrew Parfitt, Provost and Senior Vice President at UTS. “Although we have a strong international programme, with the largest number of students going overseas of any Australian university, this is the first time UTS will be involved with countries of the former Soviet Union.” Among the areas of collaboration between the two institutions are curriculum development, exchange of faculty and students, sharing of teaching resources and strategies, joint conferences, seminars, and exhibitions.

Representing the University of Central Asia at the signing was Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “We explored many universities before deciding to partner with UTS. The strength and reputation of their programme in Communications and Media was most impressive, and we are particularly comfortable with their innovative and hands-on approach to teaching. Now that UTS will have a footprint in Central Asia, we hope that in time other partnerships with the programmes of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) can be developed.”

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Dr. Shamsh Kassim-Lakha and Professor William Purcell, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Vice President, International and Advancement at UTS. Standing (L to R): Karim Sumar (AKDN), Nasir Pirani (UCA), Dr. Diana Pauna (UCA), Mark Evans (UTS).

Also present at the signing was the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Diana Pauna. “As we tackle the perennial issues of content, independence, and professionalism in the area of Communications and Media, we welcome the collaboration and support of UTS. The shared experience will enrich both our institutions.”

UCA’s five-year degree programme consists of an intensive preparatory programme, followed by a four-year liberal arts core curriculum, rooted in the issues of mountain communities in Central Asia. Students are currently pursuing specialisations in Computer Science or Communications and Media at the Campus in Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, and Economics or Earth and Environmental Science at the Campus in Khorog, Tajikistan.