DUSHANBE, November 26, 2013, Asia-Plus -- On November 20, 2013, the University of Central Asia (UCA) and the Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University (KRSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for UCA instructors to pursue a Masters in Management degree, according to UCA Newsletter, Issue 163.

Within the MoU framework, UCA’s School for Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) will recruit 10 instructors in Tajikistan to be trained by KRSU in order to build regional capacity for development and delivery of UCA SPCE’s new Small and Medium Business Management Program.

This training of trainers will allow the Tajik-based instructors to complete a Masters in Management (Small Business Management specialization) delivered by KRSU.  The program will emphasize important methodological approaches to course delivery, while also building a core understanding of key concepts in the newly developed program.  Upon completion, instructors will be awarded a Russian and Kyrgyz diploma.  They will then develop a new program for UCA-SPCE.

“Strengthening Small and Medium Enterprises within Central Asia will enhance economic opportunities for the region.  With KRSU’s support, the Tajik-based trainers will then go on to develop a robust and useful program with UCA-SPCE and play an integral role in supporting the growth and skills of small and medium business owners,” said Gulnara Junushaliyeva, Director SPCE.

The Masters Program and training of trainers are made possible with support from the Small and Medium Enterprise Growth Project for Central Asia, an initiative of USAID and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) in cooperation with the University of Central Asia.

The one year US$1.5m multi-AKDN agency project focuses on strengthening Small and Medium Enterprises in Tajikistan and enhancing economic development for the peoples of Central Asia.

The University of Central Asia (UCA) was founded in 2000. The Presidents of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, and His Highness the Aga Khan signed the International Treaty and Charter establishing this secular and private University; ratified by the respective parliaments, and registered with the United Nations. The Presidents are the Patrons of UCA and His Highness is the Chancellor.

UCA’s mission is to promote the social and economic development of Central Asia, particularly its mountain societies, while at the same time helping the different peoples of the region to preserve and draw upon their rich cultural traditions and heritages as assets for the future. UCA seeks to contribute leadership, ideas, and innovations to the transitioning economies and communities of the region through modern educational and vigorous research programs that produce knowledgeable, skilled and creative graduates.