Two leading universities in the fields of business and economics recently honored the contributions of the US-Central Asia Education Foundation (US-CAEF) and its fellows during graduation ceremonies marking the 20th anniversaries of the schools. The class of 2013 is the third graduating class of US-CAEF Enterprise Fellows, and American Councils administers the scholarship program on behalf of US-CAEF. KIMEP University (KIMEP) in Almaty, Kazakhstan, and the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in the Kyrgyz Republic have partnered with US-CAEF and American Councils since 2007 to support students from Central Asia studying business and economics through need- and merit-based scholarships, with the goal of encouraging growth in the region's market economy.
The partnership has already paved the way for US-CAEF graduates to contribute to this goal. Many graduates have started their own businesses, while others have begun their careers with well-recognized businesses such as Air Astana , Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Samsung, Tengizchevroil, regional banking and finance institutions, and many others. All 99 alumni of the US-CAEF Enterprise Fellowship program are either employed or pursuing graduate education.
US-CAEF supports the largest number of scholarship students at KIMEP, and its President, Dr. Chan Bang, recognized US-CAEF by presenting a plaque to Peggy Grieve, the vice-chair on the Foundation's board, during the graduation ceremony. Dr. Bang also hosted US-CAEF board members and American Councils representatives at a VIP reception following the ceremony.
"I am delighted to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Foundation in the development of KIMEP University, and I look forward to further mutually beneficial cooperation," wrote Dr. Bang in a letter to American Councils.
In the Kyrgyz Republic, the President of AUCA invited Stephen Weinroth, chair of US-CAEF, Steven Shea, president of the Foundation, and American Councils representatives to an exclusive trustee dinner following graduation events on June 1. At both academic institutions, an appreciation for the contributions of US-CAEF was apparent from administrators and graduates.
"As we graduate, we may each have many different feelings, but what we certainly share is the feeling that we are the ripe apples from the green tree of our US-CAEF logo," said Kristina Fateyeva, a recent alumna of KIMEP, who hopes to uphold the legacy of her scholarship by giving back to her country and region.
US-CAEF looks forward to supporting the continued contributions of its fellows in their academic communities and the Central Asian economy. For more information on US-CAEF, please visit
http://www.us-caef.americancouncilsnetwork.org
or contact Terrence Graham at graham@americancouncils.org.