LAS EXCHANGE

Aibekov Eldar
LAS Social Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking

Eldar Aibekov is a dedicated and forward-thinking student at AUCA, pursuing a degree in Social Entrepreneurship & Design Thinking. His academic journey has been shaped by leadership, innovation, and a strong drive to create meaningful impact through entrepreneurial solutions. Eldar actively engages in university initiatives and community-driven projects, combining business strategy with creative problem-solving.
In Spring 2024, Eldar expanded his academic experience by participating in an exchange semester at the Free University of Berlin. This opportunity allowed him to immerse himself in an international academic environment, explore new perspectives on entrepreneurship and design thinking, and develop a deeper understanding of global business ecosystems. His experience in Berlin further reinforced his passion for fostering innovative solutions that address societal challenges.

At AUCA, Eldar has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to student governance. As a candidate for the AUCA Student Senate, he has advocated for student-driven initiatives, academic improvements, and enhanced career development opportunities. He has also been an active participant in interdisciplinary projects, working with diverse teams to tackle pressing issues in education and business.

Eldar’s entrepreneurial mindset, combined with his strong analytical skills and leadership experience, positions him as a promising changemaker in the fields of business innovation and social impact. He continues to seek opportunities for growth and remains dedicated to making a lasting contribution to his community and beyond.

Honors & Awards:
"English Access Microscholarship Program" Alumni (2016-2018)
Recipient of the "Best Student of Kyrgyzstan 2020" Award
Alumni of New Generation Academy Scholarship Program at AUCA
Graduate of the AmCham Mentors Club Program (2022)
Event Volunteer at major events
"Pro KG" Leadership Program Alumni (9th cohort, 2023)
Participant in the OSUN-EDI Workshop in Economic Policy and Public Finance (Bard College, New York, USA)
Participant in the International Model United Nations 2023 (Kathmandu, Nepal)
Exchange Semester at Free University of Berlin (Spring 2024)
Best Student Award from the Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences (2024)
AUCA Student Senate Member (2024-2025)
Presidential Research and Education Fund recipient (2025)
Participant of the SDG Program “Turuktuuu kelechek” under the Jogorku Kenesh in Kyrgyzstan (2025)

Eldar’s journey is a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and vision for the future. With a strong foundation in social entrepreneurship and leadership, he continues to make an impact in both academic and professional spheres.

Ademi Avaskanova
LAS Human Rights Concentration

My name is Ademi Avaskanova , I am currently a sophomore at LAS, specializing in Mass Communication. In the Fall semester of 2023 I participated in an exchange program at the European Humanities University in Vilnius, Lithuania. I was very afraid to fly abroad, and this trip was the first in my life. But on the second day in Lithuania, I realized that I was going to have a very interesting semester. And that's how it was. It was in Lithuania that I fell in love with journalism for the first time, and I think that's what I remember this semester for. I studied with students from Belarus, was friends with guys from Moldova, Germany and Italy - indeed, that was a unique experience.

Nurbubu Abdyashim kyzy
LAS Social Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking

Nurbubu Abdyashim Kyzy is a passionate and driven student at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), majoring in Social Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking. Her academic journey has been marked by leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to creating meaningful social impact through education, language preservation, and sustainable development initiatives.

Throughout her university years, Nurbubu has taken on multiple leadership roles, serving as a Student Senate Member (2023-2024) and representing student interests in decision-making processes. She has also made a significant impact as a Tutor at the Writing and Academic Resource Center (WARC), mentoring students in academic writing and the Kyrgyz language, and later taking on the role of a mentor for new tutors in 2024.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to language preservation led her to found the Muras Project, where she developed a Kyrgyz language handbook for foreign learners and launched Muras Online Courses to expand access to quality language education. In addition, she conducted an intensive one-month online Kyrgyz language course for employees of Amnesty International (France, UK, Poland) in 2023.

Nurbubu’s dedication to social impact is reflected in her successful grant projects. She received a USG Alumni Small Grant ($2,319) in 2022 for the “Our Rights, Our Future” training, focusing on empowering youth in rural Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, she secured $1,000 from SIDP, AUCA for the “Green Day Project” in 2022, promoting environmental awareness, and was awarded a GYSD Grant ($205) in 2021 for community development initiatives.

As an advocate for professional growth and leadership, Nurbubu has actively participated in numerous international programs and scholarships, including the prestigious Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program (2019-2020) in the United States and the New Generation Academy Full Scholarship (2020-2021). Her participation in the KPMG Summer School (2022) and the Global Leadership Partners training (2022) further enhanced her skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, and strategic thinking.

Her commitment to youth empowerment extends to mentorship programs, where she has guided high school students through @tech.youth.collab.kg and @kel_chai_ich, helping young girls develop skills and confidence to pursue their dreams.

Nurbubu’s achievements have been widely recognized, earning her the Best Student of the Year Award (2019) and placing in the Top 3 in the Launch Yourself Social Entrepreneurship Competition (2023) with her business plan for the Muras Project, winning 30,000 som in financial support.

Beyond academia, Nurbubu is an intern at the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Central Asia, where she applies her knowledge of social entrepreneurship to real-world policy initiatives. Her passion for education and community service is also evident in her volunteer work with NGO Erayim, where she contributed as a translator and voice actor for Australian Aid reports.

With an exceptional track record of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to social entrepreneurship, Nurbubu Abdyashim Kyzy stands out as a future leader who continues to inspire and create lasting change in her community and beyond.

Honors & Awards:

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program Alumna (2019-2020)
New Generation Academy Full Scholarship (2020-2021)
Best Student of the Year Nomination with Golden Medal (2019)
Top 3 Finalist in the Launch Yourself Social Entrepreneurship Competition (2023)
Student Senate Member, AUCA (2023-2024)
Intern at Hanns Seidel Foundation, Central Asia
Founder of Muras Project: Kyrgyz Language Handbook & Online Courses
Recipient of USG Alumni Small Grant ($2,319) for “Our Rights, Our Future” Training (2022)
SIDP, AUCA Grant ($1,000) for “Green Day Project” (2022)
Participant in KPMG Summer School (2022)
Certificate of Completion from Global Leadership Partners (2022)

Chyngyz Iliyazov
LAS Digital Cultures

My name is Chyngyz Iliazov. I'm a NGA 2022 alumni and junior student of AUCA in the department of Liberal Arts and Science concentration Digital Cultures. Now I'm Global UGRAD 2024 alumni

Global UGRAD is a program of the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs that provides emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester of non-degree academic study at a U.S. college or university. My fall 2024 semester I spend in Georgia Collage and State University(GCSU) in US.

Coming from Kyrgyzstan, studying in the U.S. was an amazing experience. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about stepping into a whole new world of diversity, cultural exchange, and self-discovery.
This semester I gained knowledge and skills beyond the classroom. Built friendship and even kinship relationships with amazing people from around the world. Represented Kyrgyz culture proudly while learning about others
And of course I had a time to travel a lot, since Global UGRAD gives big opportunity to do it

Since the contest for the next year is open now my advice for future applicants:

1) Be yourself and let you and your story shine.
2) Don’t fear the unknown—growth happens outside your comfort zone.
3) Embrace every moment because it will shape your future in unimaginable ways.

And of course forever grateful for every person who made me be in this post, the NGA program, my friends, Angelina Popova, project TEENS.KG, my department and my community. Now the words: "You are not alone" - is louder than ever.

Alina Mamatova
LAS SEDT Concentration

Hello, everyone! I am Alina Mamatova and I am a junior student of LAS with SEDT concentration.
Last year I was selected as a finalist to fully funded program Global UGRAD and I went to exchange for fall semester of 2023. My host university was State University of New York (SUNY) in Plattsburgh, one of the famous liberal arts universities in the US.
This exchange program changed me a lot giving me new perspectives and opportunities in the sphere of academics, personal growth and future plans. It was full of new acquaintances, diverse culture exchange and amazing experiences. Firstly, classes at SUNY were both interesting and academically challenging led by well-qualified professors. Because of them, I learned so many things and opened new areas of interests for myself like sociology and politics. And my prior knowledge I got from LAS department here helped me to adjust to the system easier and quicker.
Moreover, diverse community and close people from different parts of the world were main part of my US experience. Starting from japanese, indian, nepali, mexican cuisine until attending their cultural events, I was a part of such a colorful community that I had never had before. I am so grateful to experience that and share what Kyrgyz culture looks like.
Apart from university life, I had a chance to travel to some places in Plattsburgh and far away to New York City, Washington DC and Boston. A girl who was dreaming of visiting those places which she saw only in movies finally reached her dreams.
I am happy to be chosen as a finalist for this program and immensely grateful to all of the people who supported me through this journey: my family, NGA program, my advisor Daniyar Karabaev, professor James Hart, UGRAD coordinators and all of my friends here and in the US.

Baiyshov Azimkhan
LAS SEDT Concentration

"My name is Azimkhan Baishov, and I am a junior student at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), majoring in Liberal Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Social Entrepreneurship. Over the past three years, I have actively participated in university life, contributing to various projects and initiatives. I am honored to be a scholarship recipient of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation."

About the Foundation:
"The Konrad Adenauer Foundation, established in 1955 and named after Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, plays a crucial role in strengthening democracy, human rights, and economic development worldwide. The foundation has been implementing impactful projects in Kyrgyzstan, which sparked my interest in applying for this scholarship."

The Application Process:
"I discovered the scholarship online and was drawn to the foundation's work. What stood out to me was not only the financial support but also the opportunities for personal and professional growth through various events and networking. The application process required recommendation letters from professors, a motivation letter, academic references, a CV, and additional documents. After successfully passing the selection round, I was invited for an interview with the committee. I am incredibly grateful and honored to have been selected as a scholarship holder!"