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'Together we can achieve a lot more than as an individual' - Alyna Rahim

Alyna Rahim was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan. She is twenty years-old and spends her free time doing origami, listening to music, occasionally singing, and reading mystery novels.

Prior to joining the University of Central Asia (UCA), Alyna volunteered in her community and believed living in UCA’s diverse environment would enable her to learn new cultures and better understand her own. She aspires to become a cryptanalyst or a data scientist after graduation. After her first year at the UCA Campus in Naryn, Kyrgyz Republic, she was recognised as the top student in her class and was honoured on the Dean’s List.

This interview is part of a series featuring UCA undergraduate students’ reflections after completing their first year at the university. This series is a joint collaboration between the University of Central Asia and Aga Khan Foundation Canada.


Pakistani Alyna Rahim is one of UCA's top undergraduate students.

Why did you choose to study at the University of Central Asia?
I chose to study at UCA because the university offers small class sizes, a diverse community, world-class curriculum, a peaceful campus location, and it is part of the Aga Khan Development Network. My major is Computer Science, and I chose this specialisation as there are many career choices available in this field. I believe the liberal arts courses and the computer science courses offered at UCA will help me achieve my career goals. I enjoy learning about the possibilities of a virtual world and the ways technology have eased our everyday tasks. I want to contribute to society in this way.

What is your favorite memory from your first year?
The Winter Carnival 2016 is my favorite memory from the first year. I was part of the organising committee, and it was the first campus event mostly overseen by students. It was a fun event where everyone from the community (even the faculty) came to celebrate and compete in competitions and games.



UCA was founded in 2000. The Presidents of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan, signed the International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular, private, not for profit University, which was ratified by the respective parliaments and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of UCA and His Highness the Aga Khan is the Chancellor. UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain societies, by offering an internationally recognised standard of higher education, and helping the peoples of the region to preserve and draw upon their rich cultural traditions as assets for the future. UCA brings with it the commitment and partnership of the Aga Khan Development Network.