DUSHANBE, July 1, 2011, Asia-Plus — The achievements of nearly 300 graduates of the Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP) and School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE), Learning Center Dushanbe, University of Central Asia (UCA) were recognized at the Graduation ceremony attended by representatives of government, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) agencies, international organizations and proud families on June 30 at the Ismaili Center in Dushanbe, according to AKDN Tajikistan.
One hundred and eighty five secondary and university students received a Certificate for successful completion of integrated humanities courses in English. These courses use interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the human condition and nature of societies that promote pluralism of ideas, cultures and people in Central Asia. Within these courses, students develop valuable academic skills such as analytic reasoning, critical thinking, academic writing, communication and listening, and team work. The graduates are well placed to be highly competitive in pursuing opportunities for further studies at the international level as well as provide intellectual leadership to their peers and communities.
Thirty-three students received a Professional Certificate in Accounting Technology (ATC), a credential that prepares graduates for positions as accountants in small enterprises or NGOs, and bookkeepers/accountants in larger enterprises and organizations. ATC valued at 30 credits of European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), is based on International Financial Reporting Standards and is the first program of its kind in Central Asia. ATC also prepares students for the forthcoming program leading to the Certified Accounting Practitioner qualification.
Twenty-nine students received a Certificate of Achievement, having completed the requirements of Levels 2 & 3 of the English for Business Program. The program is based on the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) curriculum and SPCE is a registered LCCI examination center. The graduates of the program can now proceed to the advanced levels and obtain the internationally recognized LCCI credentials that testify to advanced proficiency in English and its application in business practice. This year the University awarded seven students the LCCI Certificate. Fourteen students received Record of Achievement, having completed all three levels of Conversational English program.
Twenty-four students, including 17 from the Committee of Emergency Situation and Civil Defence, received a Record of Achievement in Information Technology, enabling them to become advanced computer users. Two SPCE staff members received International Computer Driving License (ICDL) Certificates. SPCE registered the first Advanced Microsoft IT Academy and ICDL test centers in Tajikistan offering training and examinations for Microsoft and ICDL qualifications through its examination centers.
AKHP was established in 1997 and became a part of University of Central Asia in 2007. The regional headquarter is based in Dushanbe from where it manages its activities currently ongoing in 31 Universities in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Approximately 37,000 students have been exposed to the AKHP curriculum across the region to-date. SPCE was launched in October 2006 in Khorog and its Learning Centre was established in January 2008 in Dushanbe. To date, SPCE has enrolled over 14,000 learners in over 60 types of training courses and operates out of its town campus, Learning Centre in Dushanbe, Technical Vocational Education and Training Centre in Khorog and Project Office in Faizabad, Afghanistan. SPCE also provides capacity building for the Shegnan’s Teacher Training College in Afghanistan.
