DUSHANBE, July 29, 2011, Asia-Plus — The University of Central Asia (UCA)’s School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPCE) Learning Center, Dushanbe and the Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP) hold their second annual joint graduation ceremony on June 30, 2011 at the Ismaili Centre in Dushanbe, according to the UCA newsletter, issue # 91, July 29, 2011.
The achievements of nearly 300 graduates of AKHP and SPCE Learning Centre Dushanbe were recognized at the ceremony. SPCE graduates received certificates in Accounting, English for Business, and Information Technology. AKHP graduates of the Humanities in English programme also received certificates of completion for individual courses completed, including Seeking Social Justice and Introduction to Humanities.
The awards ceremony was attended by Mr. Mirgan Shahbozov, Deputy Speaker of Tajik Parliament, and other prominent parliamentarians: Marhabo Jabborova – Head, Committee for Science, Education, Culture and Youth Policy and Khayrinisso Yusufi – Head, Committee for Social Issues, Family and Health; Mamadsho Ilolov – President, Academy of Sciences, and representatives of the President’s Administration, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, and Ministry of Health. The diplomatic community was represented by the Ambassadors of the USA, UK, Germany, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, and representatives of the Embassies of Iran, Russia and France. Representatives of OSCE, JICA, USAID, GIZ and other international organizations attended. Also present were representatives of partner institutions; universities professors, heads of AKDN agencies, and proud families.
Mr. Shahbozov Deputy Speaker of the Tajik Parliament, addressed the graduates, congratulating them on their achievements and emphasized the strong relationship between UCA and the Tajik Government and the Parliament, appreciated UCA contribution to fostering economic development and building human capacity in the country. He pointed out that 12 Members of the Parliament, including himself, another Deputy Speaker and two Committee Heads are SPCE learners who successfully completed the Starter Level of the Conversational English Program.
Among the learners receiving certificates were 17 members of staff of the Committee of Emergency Situation and Civil Defense, whose studies was supported by the United National Development Programme and received a Record of Achievement in Information Technology.
AKHP was established in 1997, and became a part of University of Central Asia in 2007. Headquartered in Dushanbe, AKHP currently works with 31 partner universities in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. High school students, undergraduate and graduate university students may enroll in any of the following courses: Introduction to Humanities, Individual and Society, Tradition and Change, Rhythm and Movement, Identifying Civil Society, Seeking Social Justice, Art and Appreciation, and Negotiating Human Nature.
The SPCE Learning Center, Dushanbe was established in January 2008; this was the third graduation held for SPCE learners of the Learning Center, Dushanbe.
