American University of Central Asia

Founded in 1993, AUCA develops future leaders for the democratic transformation of Central Asia. American University of Central Asia is an international, multi-disciplinary learning community in the American liberal arts tradition. Its curriculum includes the Preparatory Program (New Generation Academy), fourteen undergraduate majors and four graduate programs. In addition to its top-flight academic programs AUCA is committed to freedom of expression, critical inquiry, and academic honesty. AUCA is the first university in Central Asia to offer US accredited degrees in liberal arts programs through a partnership with Bard College in the United States. In addition to Bard, AUCA maintains partnerships with a number of universities and organizations worldwide.

AUCA serves Central Asia, where young democracies are emerging in nation states accustomed to more restrictive forms of governance.  We develop the skills and the attitude of mind that foster sensitivity to the region’s rich traditions and adaptability for its democratic development.

Proud of the success of our 2,500 graduates, on our 10th anniversary as an independent learning community we launched a plan for academic development designed to enable our University to soar to a new level of excellence.

Our distinctiveness derives from our highly strategic location, where peoples from east and west have been exchanging goods and ideas for millennia. Our University is a small but powerful engine of intellectual freedom and critical thinking that fuels education in a caring, corruption-free, student-centered environment.

We treasure Central Asia’s historic role as facilitator of mutual understanding and entrepreneurial ideas. Students and faculty eager to study and pursue their dreams come to us from 25 different countries, including all the Central Asian states, Afghanistan, China, Holland, Germany, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States. Their diverse beliefs, languages and perspectives are openly shared and valued. In this vibrant atmosphere, where the freedom to study is considered a privilege, we design new paths forward for social transformation and international understanding.

To sustain our noble experiment in critical thinking and have a transformational impact on Central Asia for generations to come, we set goals to enhance our academic excellence that will guide our work over the next five years.