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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 000743 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO SCUL PGOV PREL PINR KG
SUBJECT:  Kyrgyz Education Roundtable Identifies Worrying Trends 
 
BISHKEK 00000743  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  Ambassador Yovanovitch participated in a roundtable 
discussion of education systems with Russian television host 
Vladimir Posner on May 28 at the American University of Central 
Asia.  The group, which included Kyrgyz officials, did not agree on 
one best model for Kyrgyzstan.  Some participants argued that 
academic independence is a necessary condition for academic 
excellence, while Ministry of Education officials said that 
Kyrgyzstan is not ready for such freedom.  The discussion did raise 
important questions about the government's role in education, 
attitude problems with students, and the rise of religion in 
education. 
  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) On May 28, American University in Central Asia (AUCA) 
organized a discussion on "Liberal Arts and Trends in Education 
Development" to coincide with Russian television host Vladimir 
Posner's visit to Kyrgyzstan.  The discussion was also done to 
bolster the understanding of a liberal arts education.  AUCA 
President Ellen Hurwitz gathered officials from the Ministry of 
Education, several former Foreign Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, business 
leaders, and AUCA faculty.  Posner kicked off the discussion with 
his view that American-style education teaches students to be 
creative and to ask questions, and the Russian style is to memorize 
and process information. 
 
¶3. (U) The issue of academic independence from the government was 
raised by businessman and AUCA board member Emil Umetaliev.  He 
argued that Kyrgyzstan should establish itself as a center of 
academic excellence to build its economy, but that freedom for 
universities to establish their own standards is a necessary 
precondition for this.  Posner, Umetaliev, and new AUCA vice 
president Bermet Tursunkulova all agreed that too much regulation 
contributes to apathy and even behavioral problems among students. 
 
¶4. (U) Officials from the Ministry of Education noted that U.S. 
universities head the list of best universities in the world; 
however, they also argued that educational standards should be set 
locally and not internationally.  Moreover, they said, Kyrgyzstan as 
a society is not ready either in terms of cultural mentality for 
such freedom or in terms of educational quality.  The Ambassador 
agreed that the process requires time and is connected to economic 
growth.  She pointed out that that flexibility and freedom from the 
government for both students and universities would help improve the 
education system. 
 
¶5. (U) Several educators and administrators from AUCA complained 
about the prevalence of cheating among students in Kyrgyzstan and 
about the generally irresponsible attitude towards education among 
the young.  According to the Dean of the Management School at AUCA, 
there is an underdeveloped appreciation for education in Kyrgyzstan, 
since even the smartest students can't explain why they want to 
study at AUCA. 
 
¶6. (U) The influence of religion on education was highlighted as a 
potentially serious concern by former Foreign Minister (and current 
MP) Rosa Otunbayeva.  She said that no one was keeping track of the 
many madrassahs operating in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in the south 
of the country.  She argued that religion is changing previously 
secular education systems across Central Asia and that it could hold 
back the development of Kyrgyzstan.  Posner agreed that religion can 
have a harmful effect on education.  However, he did not see this 
effect as limited to Islam, as both Poland and Russia are seeing the 
Catholic and Orthodox churches, respectively, interfere in 
education. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment:  While the participants did not agree on any one 
single model of education for Kyrgyzstan, many speakers at this 
roundtable supported greater academic freedom for institutions.  In 
Kyrgyzstan, AUCA stands out as a model of liberal education and 
critical thinking.  At a time when AUCA faces difficulties with the 
government over attestation and property rights, this discussion was 
a useful reminder of the importance of an institution such as AUCA 
 
BISHKEK 00000743  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
to the development of Kyrgyzstan. 
 
LITZENBERGER