OSH TRIP: SOUTHERN KYRGYZ UNIVERSITY GREETS

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000956 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KPAO PGOV SCUL KG SUBJECT: OSH TRIP: SOUTHERN KYRGYZ UNIVERSITY GREETS AMBASSADOR WARMLY ¶1. (SBU) During a September 16-17 visit to the southern city of Osh, Ambassador visited Osh State University. She found a school in good physical shape, eager for international cooperation, but tarred by allegations of corruption. First Vice-Rector Turdumamat Kadyrov gave the Ambassador a tour of the large campus, which was in much better shape than most universities in Kyrgyzstan. The University has evolved from a smaller Pedagogical Institute to today's school of 18 faculties and 27,000 students. The school has worked hard to forge international ties, attracting 1500 foreign students and creating information centers supported by foreign governments, including the Korean, German, Turkish, Iranian and American Centers. ¶2. (U) The Ambassador also sat down for an informal meeting with 30 students from the faculty of international relations. The students were eager to learn about how to study in America, how to get a green card, and whether there might be more money for exchanges after the U.S. Presidential elections. The students asked several questions about the practice of diplomacy, such as good personality traits of a diplomat, length of duty at Post, and functions of the U.S. Embassy. One student wanted to know if Kyrgyz diplomats represent their country well in America, and another asked if she could become a U.S. diplomat even though she was a Kyrgyz citizen. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Osh State is generally considered the best university in the south of Kyrgyzstan, but does not compare academically to those in the capital. Many of the brightest southern students reportedly head north for school, if they can. However, the University administration has succeeded in developing the physical plant of the school, in part through active outreach to donors of all stripes. Osh State is also rumored to be among the most corrupt schools in the country, an allegation that would seem to be supported by the fact that students snickered when the topic of academic honesty was broached. The students, though, seemed interested in the U.S., and the American Center at Osh State reported a steady flow of students seeking information about America and opportunities to visit. GFOELLER