The AUCA Chess Club was created to get people to play chess at the University. The Club encourages people of all levels of experience to play and offers a friendly, constructive, and social platform for chess enthusiasts. The Club sends also teams to the Universiada. To find out more about the AUCA chess club, we sat down and talked with Shaislam Shabiev, a freshman in the economics department and the head of the chess club:
 I was 7 years old when I first played chess. From that moment forward, this game was more than just an ordinary game for me—it was a space for self-expression. I can be an artist in chess, thinking up tactics and creating strategic plans, which I find incredibly rewarding. So far, I have devoted most of my time to playing chess. It is certainly more than just a hobby.

An AUCA student differs from other university students in many ways. The AUCA student is not a passive recipient of an educational system that is imposed on him, rather an active participant in the learning process. He/she is extremely responsible for his/her learning. Additionally, co-education of local and foreign students makes them friendly, tolerant, and enriches their understanding of the world.

In 2012, the process of creating shyrdaks was included in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safekeeping. AUCA alumna Aliya Rakhman co-founded Nakta Designs (www.instagram.com/nakta_kg)to sell handmade rugs (shyrdak) and accessories created by talented artisans from Kyrgyzstan, investing and directly contributing to a sustainable development of the small businesses led by women artisans in low-income rural communities.

Fall 2017, the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) will officially open its program in Gender Studies. AUCA’s program in Gender Studies is the first academic program of its kind in Central Asia and an important step in looking at gender relations within the nation, the region, and the world.

Dear Incoming Freshmen 2017, we look forward to meeting you during the Orientation program on August 16 – 29, 2017. We are proud to have you as our new students and welcome you into our community of friends, colleagues, and scholars! This is a new beginning for both students and family members; beginnings that we hope you are ready to explore.

The World Communication Association’s 2017 biennial international conference will be held at the American University of Central Asia’s new campus on August 2-6, 2017. From around the world, 100 scholars of communications, journalism and media studies, as well as journalists and media professionals, will be coming together to discuss and debate the theme, “World Conflicts and Disasters: Communication, Culture and Resolution”.

The World Communication Association’s 2017 biennial international conference will be held at the American University of Central Asia’s new campus on August 2-6, 2017. From around the world, 100 scholars of communications, journalism and media studies, as well as journalists and media professionals, will be coming together to discuss and debate the theme, “World Conflicts and Disasters: Communication, Culture and Resolution”.

Dr. Hersh Chadha OPM (Harvard), ARPS, photographer, writer, philanthropist and AUCA friend and long-term supporter of the American university of Central Asia.
 

At the 2017 Commencement Ceremony, recent graduate Nariman Utegaliev was recognized for his exceptional senior thesis work. Utegaliev took some time to tell us about his research and thank the people who helped him produce his award-winning work.

June 8, 2017 the AUCA hosted a guest lecture of John Marks, one of the leaders of non-profit organization, a founder and Ex-President/ CEO of Search for Common Ground.