Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1117
2008-11-04 03:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

Christian Missionary Foundation Opens New American

Tags:  SCUL PHUM KPAO KG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 040307Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1495
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2734
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0063
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3125
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2511
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001117 

Dept for SCA/CEN and SCA/PPD

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL PHUM KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Christian Missionary Foundation Opens New American
University in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK 00001117 001.2 OF 002


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BISHKEK 001117

Dept for SCA/CEN and SCA/PPD

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SCUL PHUM KPAO KG
SUBJECT: Christian Missionary Foundation Opens New American
University in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK 00001117 001.2 OF 002


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION


1. (SBU) Summary: The Mercy Christian Foundation, a legally
registered Christian organization active in the northern Kyrgyz city
of Tokmok, has partnered with some of the original founders of the
American University of Central Asia and has opened an American
Professional Institute in the city. With an entry class of 42
students, the directors of the institute have big plans for the
future, but also have difficulty articulating the role the institute
will play in the local higher education sector. End Summary.

An Ambitious Beginning with an Unexpected Partner
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) The Mercy Charitable Christian Foundation, a legally
registered religious organization, has been very active in the
northern Kyrgyz city of Tokmok since 2001. Over the years, this
foundation has opened seven primary schools around the city,
currently teaching over 1,000 students. This group has also built
Western-standard playgrounds with adjoining "Jesus Houses" in Tokmok
and Kara-Balta. The foundation appears to have close and cordial
relations with city authorities.


3. (SBU) In 2008, the foundation decided to expand its work into the
higher education field. Working in partnership with two founders of
the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) no longer associated
with the University, the foundation quickly secured the appropriate
permissions from the Ministry of Education and renovated and
equipped a small campus complex in Tokmok. The first class entering
the Institute consisted of 42 students, primarily from the area
around Tokmok. Only a minority of the incoming students are
graduates of the Institute's primary and secondary schools.


4. (SBU) One of the foundation's key partners is Camilla
Sharshikeeva, former Minister of Education and former Vice President
of AUCA. Sharshikeeva said that the intent of the foundation is to
establish an institution in the mold of U.S. land-grant universities
with a focus on agriculture and business training. The institution
is called American because of its use of the credit system and its
use of English language training. Sharshikeeva says that even
though the institution was founded by the Christian foundation,
training at the school is entirely secular and expressed no concerns
over working with a Christian missionary organization. She said she
hopes that even larger branches of the school will be opened in
other educationally under-served regions in Kyrgyzstan.

Comment: Future Path Unclear
--------------


5. (SBU) While Foundation directors and school administrators are
unanimously enthusiastic about embracing the United States (the U.S.
flag flies over the school, the Rector has a locally-produced Great
Seal hanging on his wall, and PAS staff are regularly invited to
speak at even the most obscure university events),no common thread
has emerged about the future of the institute. As best we can tell,
this Institute has been funded almost entirely by the Christian
Foundation. The Institute has not received any U.S. Government
money, and the Embassy was not involved in the planning stages of
the institute. There is a great need in Kyrgyzstan for technical
education, particularly in agriculture and business administration.
It is less clear why this education for rural farmers should be in
English.


6. (SBU) Clearly this foundation and this institution have
supporters. The grand opening was presided over by former Minister
of Education and current head of the State Agency for Religious
Affairs Osmonaliev, and the year-old institution already has its
full attestation from the Ministry of Education (a feat AUCA has yet
to fully accomplish). However, anecdotal reports indicate that the
institute's curriculum is not as secular as administrators claim,
and it will be interesting to see how the institute and the
foundation will be affected by the new Law on Religion.


BISHKEK 00001117 002.2 OF 002


Gfoeller