Empowering Leadership in Central Asia: The Leadership Academy for Development

October 6, 2023

In August of this year, AUCA graduates - Askar Sydykov, Uluk Kydyrbayev, Director of the MBA program, Saikal Anvar kyzy, as well as leaders of the business communities of Kyrgyzstan - Dastan Abdyldayev, Rustam Baltabayev and Gulnara Kalikova, together with other participants from Central Asian countries, took part in the regional program "Leadership Academy for Development" (LAD), which was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. And on Tuesday, October 3, our graduates shared their experience of participating in this program.

In Central Asia, the Leadership Academy for Development stands as a pivotal initiative, presenting a comprehensive five-day intensive course meticulously crafted for government officials, business leaders, and members of civil society. The primary objective of this program is to delve into the vital role of the state in stimulating and supporting the private sector, thereby fueling economic growth and fostering overall development within the region.

The unique features of this program lie in its distinctive approach to learning and engagement. The methodology heavily relies on case studies, facilitating active learning through the analysis of real-world events and decision-making processes. This includes structured classroom discussions and a meticulous examination of case studies to evaluate the effectiveness of government measures in stimulating the private sector.

Participants are organized into groups of five, fostering an environment conducive to in-depth discussions on the presented cases. The aim is to ignite lively debates and encourage active participation from all involved, ultimately enhancing the learning experience.

As a culminating task, each team is tasked with a presentation scrutinizing a specific political challenge within infrastructure development. The presentation further proposes innovative government initiatives aimed at addressing the identified challenge. This exercise aims to integrate the acquired knowledge and skills into practical application.

Guiding the academic journey are a distinguished group of professors and educators:

Francis Fukuyama

- Position: Senior Research Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University, and Faculty Member at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL).

Mary Hilderbrand

- Position: Former Clinical Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at the George H.W. Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University (2015 - 2022).

Eric Jensen

- Position: Program Director for Rule of Law at Stanford Law School, Lecturer at the Center on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law (CDDRL).

Together, they form a distinguished team dedicated to imparting valuable knowledge and skills, shaping the leaders of tomorrow for a better and prosperous Central Asia.

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