Alumni Spotlight: Rayhon Jonbekova. JMC 2010

April 2, 2015

Rayhon Jonbekova, Journalism and Mass Communications, 2010

• Tell us about your career path.

After graduating from AUCA, I started working in development field. I used to work with Aga Khan Foundation in USA, with World Bank in Tajikistan and UNDP Tajikistan as a consultant for communication. Since 2012 I am working with the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP), a project of Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan as a Grants Manager.

• What is the favorite thing about your job?

Our organization works in all four regions of Tajikistan covering about 1.5 million people implementing rural development projects. The work is challenging in what I see opportunity for self-development and it requires lots of travelling what I adore more.

• You have rich international experience, you studied and work abroad. Why have you returned to Tajikistan? 

The international experience and studying gave me great knowledge and skills and I will continue building my knowledge and skills abroad, but Home Sweet Home. The aim of the international studies and travels for me is to build my capacity and contribute to improvement of quality of life in Tajikistan.

• Happiest/proudest moment of your life?

There are plenty of them, but currently I am proud to manage more than 30 grants which are benefiting rural people and it really feels good when one can make positive change in someone’s else’s life.

• What are some tips that you would like to share with current AUCA students?

AUCA is a home for democracy, freedom of speech, pluralism and diversity, opportunities and knowledge. Take the full knowledge that AUCA offers. That knowledge will help you to see how wonderful life is and how many opportunities it offers. Overall, take every opportunity and positive benefit from AUCA to your countries.

• What do you miss the most about AUCA?

In AUCA I learned about the principles of democracy as freedom of speech, human rights, lack of white and black, corruption and simply just environment which are limited in societies around. But I hope that this is a matter of time and sooner or later, young leaders including AUCA ‘products’ will contribute to democratization of our societies.

This is least but not last of what I miss about AUCA. I surely also miss discussions and talks with AUCA friends, coursemates, and professors around a cup of coffee and ‘sambusashki’ in the cafeteria.

• What are the most important things you liked about AUCA?

I liked the education system which is very powerful and efficient. Thanks to AUCA education, I was able to succeed in my career at senior management level early in life.

The principles of freedom and democracy where each and every single student’s voice matter was another key point I liked about AUCA.

• Your message to fellow classmates, alumni and professors

My message to classmates, alumni and professors is that, wherever we are in the world, we should not forget about immense positive contribution of AUCA to our personal and professional life. Therefore, we should try to support AUCA and its new students in everything we can to keep the University best image in the region.

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