History of the University

The American University in Kyrgyzstan was founded in 1997, but its antecedent was the Kyrgyz-American School (KAS) of the Kyrgyz State National University. With the independence of the Central Asian countries, it became obvious that to advance into the world of free markets and democracy, Central Asia needed a new generation of students with a novel understanding of how economic resources, information, and personal freedoms are held and used in an open society. Camilla Sharshekeeva, an educator from the Kyrgyz State National University (KSNU), felt an acute need for a new kind of higher education in Kyrgyzstan, based upon an American model. In 1992 Camilla Sharshekeeva proposed creating a new educational institution in Kyrgyzstan, and Camilla, along with a few colleagues resolved to start a new and independent University. On April 6th, 1993, the dean of KSNU signed the decree to open the Kyrgyz - American School, and Camilla Sharshekeeva was appointed the first dean of KAS.

KAS opened its doors and enrolled its first 42 students on the 15th of September, 1993. In attendance at the official grand opening of the Kyrgyz-American School were the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Askar Akaev, and the Vice-President of the United States, Albert Gore. The official birth of AUK took place four years later in 1997 when, by Presidential decree, KAS officially became the American University in Kyrgyzstan. The decree was solemnized in a ceremony on November 12th, when President Akaev and the First Lady of the United States, Hillary Clinton, addressed a gathering of students, educators, government officials and representatives of Kyrgyzstan's leading business and media. The University was made possible by a three-way agreement between the government of Kyrgyzstan, the United States Department of State, and the Open Society Institute, all of whom signed a memorandum of understanding, agreeing to provide support for the young University. Since that time AUK has also received generous support from the Eurasian Foundation, as well as from the local business community.

AUK graduated its first students on June 14, 1997. For the ceremony, both graduates and faculty were dressed in American-style academic caps and gowns, which had never before been seen in Central Asia. It looked like a real American commencement. The main speakers were Askar Akaev, President of the Republic, and the United States Ambassador, Eileen Malloy.

Since 1993 the University has experienced rapid development, adding new curricula, new programs, and new services. The number of applications from around the world has skyrocketed as the University has already established a reputation for excellence, and it is expected the enrollment will pass 1,000 by fall of 2001.

AUK has ongoing relationships with several leading American universities. For the last three years University has maintained a relationship with the University of Nebraska, originally funded by a Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs grant. In 1994 BECA provided to AUK a second grant that has funded a faculty development project overseen by a consortium of four US universities (Universities of Washington-Seattle and Hawaii, George Washington and Brown Universities) and administered by the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX). In May, 1999, a BECA partner university grant for $1.9 million over three years was awarded to a consortium of Indiana universities, led by IU Bloomington.

Generous support from a variety of sources has enabled the University to continuously develop its curriculum, services, and facilities. Assistance from the United States Department of State, the Open Society Institute, the Eurasia Foundation, and others has enable AUK to expand facilities to include the new Raushan Bulatova audio/video studio with digital technology, as well as several modern computer laboratories and other technical facilities.