AUCA Faculty Knowledge Summit 2025
May 20, 2025
On May 16, 2025, the American University of Central Asia hosted the AUCA Faculty Knowledge Summit, a significant academic event that brought together scholars from across departments to share their research, teaching innovations, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Held in the CH of AUCA, the summit became a space for intellectual exchange, recognition of academic excellence, and dialogue across fields.
The event opened with remarks by AUCA President Timothy O’Connor, who welcomed all participants and expressed sincere gratitude to the organizing committee for their dedication. In his speech, he acknowledged the complexity of organizing interdisciplinary academic events and emphasized that the breadth and quality of research at AUCA reflect the university’s intellectual strength. He noted that the remarkable number of research initiatives on display is a testament to the academic energy and commitment of AUCA’s faculty.
The primary aim of the Faculty Knowledge Summit is to provide a platform for presenting ongoing research projects, showcasing innovative pedagogical approaches, and fostering collaboration across disciplines. It serves not only as an academic forum but as a moment of reflection on the role of higher education in a rapidly changing world.
Following the opening address, Angelina Popova, Director of the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology, presented her research titled “AI for Research: Pros and Cons.” Her presentation generated considerable discussion among faculty members, as she raised important questions about the ethical, methodological, and conceptual implications of artificial intelligence in scholarly work. The session highlighted the open and evolving nature of the debate around the role of AI in academia.
Throughout the day, faculty members participated in parallel sessions covering various topics, including governance, history, cultural practices, geopolitics, pedagogical innovation, academic development, and educational engagement. These sessions reflected the university’s diverse intellectual landscape and commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship. Each presentation offered new insights and contributed to a deeper understanding of the complex issues shaping contemporary academic and societal contexts.
The event concluded with the awarding of the prestigious Matthew Nimetz Faculty Research Grants. This year, two distinguished scholars were recognized for their exceptional contributions: Zaripa Samudinova, Assistant Professor of the General Education Faculty, and Elvira Supataeva, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, also of the General Education Faculty. The AUCA Faculty Knowledge Summit 2025 reaffirmed the university’s dedication to academic excellence, collaborative inquiry, and the advancement of knowledge.
