American University of Central Asia is an international, multidisciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition that develops enlightened and impassioned leaders for the democratic transformation of Central Asia. On February 15, 2008 the Jogorku Kenesh deputy and chair of Communist Party I. Masaliev submitted for consideration the issue of AUCA’s location by giving a commission to the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“AUCA’s building has a historical value, because it used to belong to the Kyrgyz Government. It also has close ties with our history and I don’t see the point of giving it to private hands” said Masaliev. He also mentioned that the vast majority of AUCA’s students are the government officials’ kids and few of them are from the regions.
…to the best of my knowledge AUCA is famous for its diversity of students. Mr. Masaliev should better take some classes at AUCA in order to understand the university life from inside. I can assure the readers that the majority of students represent the middle class, on top of that most of them get financial aid in order to pay their tuition. I guess our deputies should take care of serious problems that concerns the country in general, but not give hard time to the developing institutions like AUCA….
By: Ibragim on February 18, 2008
at 3:58 pm
I am a student of AUCA. And I am not a government official or millionaire’s daughter, but being from ordinary family I am happy that I can get quality education in Kyrgyzstan without bribery pressure, which, unfortunately, exists in most univerisities, because this university gives generous opportunities for all students.
If I were on Masaliev’s place, I would constructively make decisions about Kyrgyzstan’s pride, especially concerning education!
By: Kanykei Latipova on February 18, 2008
at 5:37 pm
Masaliev is still dreaming of soviet type full scholarship education! Man, wake up, its capitalism era!!! besides, if thats the matter of private higher education institutions that do not give scholarships, when why should not he start with KRSU? unfortunately, a communist never says things like that to a university established by a “bigger” brother…
By: tuliprevolution on February 18, 2008
at 10:22 pm
also Otunba demanded from AUCA to consider full scholarship for poor kids from the villages…
By: tuliprevolution on February 18, 2008
at 10:23 pm
[...] statement spurred a heated discussion in the blogosphere. Ibragim from Nomadistan notes: I can assure the readers that the majority of students represent middle class, most of them [...]
By: Global Voices Online » Kyrgyzstan: Leading University at the Center of Parliamentary Debates on February 20, 2008
at 12:46 pm
…just for point of clarification: 73% of AUCA students get financial aid, on top of that during the admission period for the new academic year admission staff never asks what is your dads position, whether he is a deputy or a government official, unless you are applying for financial aid…
By: AUCA student on February 20, 2008
at 5:23 pm
I study at AUCA and I can not say that all students from Kyrgyzstan are children of deputies or rich entrepreneurs. For instance, I represent the middle class and have a financial aid, so I have an opportunity to study in such a wonderful univerisity like AUCA! But I don’t understand what actually wants Mr. Massaliev and whom interests he represents. First, he confirms that the university has to pay the facility and that AUCA has to give the opportunity for students from Kyrgyzstan to study for free of charge but after all he says that even if AUCA will comply with above mentioned demands he won’t stop and will make AUCA to move from “historical building”. If it is only about the building, why he touches the theme of scholarships and facility?
By: Altynai on February 20, 2008
at 5:45 pm
i think Masaliev should NOT take auca’s building before auca creates the new one.
By: adik on February 20, 2008
at 6:09 pm
i reckon that this is very delicate issue, however masaliev announcment doesn’t have perspective and seems to be unreal.
By: Peteranswers on February 20, 2008
at 6:26 pm
to those who don’t know:
93% of AUCA students get the job after the graduation…
International students come from more than 20 countries of the world…
AUCA pays 30 mln to the country’s budget…
By: Almaz on February 21, 2008
at 1:17 pm
I do support Mr. Masaliev. Those students from AUCA are brainwashed. He is absolutely right in sense that AUCA should leave the historical building in the center of Bishkek. AUCA should better build its own building, since it is a reach university….
By: Communist on February 21, 2008
at 1:26 pm
dear Communist, i just saw this article and even if it is late, i couldn’t stop myself from answering back to you. because it seems like you don’t know some stuff. ok,
at first, before writing any comments like this i would highly recommend you to check your grammar, because AUCA is not rEAch university! (i guess you meant rIch…)
at second, where would you know that AUCA students are brainwashed??? do you know that by saying “Those students from AUCA are brainwashed” you are mentioning nearly 1500 students, are you sure about that?
Also, i do agree with Idocare’s opinion, AUCA is not just staying in this building, but also improving it’s conditions. I wanna ask you have you ever been in the KRSU’s, or KNU’s bathroom? But have you been in AUCA’s?? if not, then go, check and compare!
Even if you are communist, that doesn’t mean you HAVE to agree with Masaliev.
Also, if you really think that kids from rich families study therem, then so WHAT?They are there but still they are studying! They are not bribing, or doing that stuff! Well, look at those rich kids from KRSU who haven’t even seen some of their professor (because of course they never go to the University) and compare them to those kids from AUCA who even if they are rich, they still go to the university and have to study, because they can’t bribe!
So, let’s be more objective on these kinda issues.
Thank you.
By: Kyrgyzka on July 7, 2009
at 9:49 am
Hello EVERYone! I think this question should not be taken into consideration because if the govenment takes our building then what is going to happen to the unversity? This university has became a “historical” place which has produced so many professionals. I think if the government takes our building than it should propose some other building.
By: aika on February 22, 2008
at 10:40 am
“AUCA’s building has a historical value, because it used to belong to the Kyrgyz Government” – Well it still has a historical value and the university does its best to maintain the building in best condition possible. It doesn’t only take care of the building, but also improves its infrastructure and renovates it.
It also has close ties with our history and I don’t see the point of giving it to private hands” – Private hands have always been seen as something evil, wrong, etc. It should be noted that these private hands have done a lot in improving the conditions of the building. It’s just enough to have a look at state universities to see what they do with state buildings and what conditions they have in them. I also wonder, by taking the building from “private hands”, what would he do with it, who else would he give it to? Does the governmnt all over sadden happen to lack some space?
“…and He also mentioned that the vast majority of AUCA’s students are the government officials’ kids and few of them are from the regions” – As mentioned above, the guy needs to meet our students and if necessary be provided with information about the students and given financial aid.
I guess, when people up there get bored and want some excitement, they seek any opportunity of sensation and/or argument. Why does he need the building?? What does he want to do with it, I wonder…
By: Idocare on March 2, 2008
at 1:24 pm
I want to study at AUCA
By: munira on September 12, 2008
at 9:24 am
student
By: munira on September 12, 2008
at 9:25 am