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KAZAKHSTAN
First
Lady Pushes Controversial Reform
 A
controversial experiment, based on the teachings of a Russian ascetic
who advocated walking barefoot in the snow, is about to be implemented
at selected schools throughout the country.
A college
of higher education, secondary school and kindergarten in each region
of the country will take part in the "self-knowledge" program
initiated by the wife of the Kazakh head of state, Nursultan Nazarbaev.
A follower
of the philosophy of Porfiry Ivanov, a mystic who called himself the brother
of Jesus, the first lady has long been interested in child development.
She created the charitable foundation Bobek ("Baby") 10 years
ago, and, through the international movement SOS-Kinderhof, has helped
establish family-type children's villages and rehabilitation centers for
orphans all over Kazakhstan.
Her latest
venture, however, has upset many Kazakhs, but few are prepared to speak
out publicly against her for fear of retribution. The authorities are
determined to forge ahead with the plan, and, after results of the experiment
are analyzed, it may be extended across the entire school system.
For Nazarbaev,
the program is just the beginning of a long-term project. "I have
taken on a difficult task, and the results will perhaps only be seen in
100 years. But we need to return to the 'pure sources' of human wisdom
and moral values. Otherwise, society will never get better," she
said.
—
Institute
for War and Peace
Oct. 16, 2002
KYRGYZSTAN
Construction
of New Bishkek Campus Begins
The
foundations for a new campus of the Kyrgyz-Turkish
University Manas in Bishkek were laid this summer. The construction
of the largest student campus in Kyrgyzstan, situated on the capital's
former airport, will cost an estimated US$140 million. It is due for completion
in 2010.
—
Pravda
June 28, 2002
RUSSIA
U.S.
Recognizes Russian Med School Credentials
Ulyanoysk
State University Medical Department and 58 other medical schools in Russia
are to be included in the International Medical Education Directory, overseen
by the U.S. Educational Commission for
Foreign Medical Graduates.
In May 2002
graduates from the recognized colleges were given the right to take the
commission's qualification exams.
—
Pravda
June 14, 2002
Caucasian
Studies Reappears at St. Petersburg University
After
a 50-year break, the Caucasian Studies Department was reopened Nov. 18
at St. Petersburg State University.
The program includes the study of Chechen, among other Caucasian languages,
as well as the history, geography and ethnology of the Caucasian region.
—
Pravda
Nov. 18, 2002
UZBEKISTAN
University
of Westminster Moves into Central Asia
The
University of Westminster, in collaboration
with the Uzbekistan government, has opened a branch university in Tashkent.
Westminster
International University in Tashkent opened in October 2002 and is
initially providing places for 200 students. Courses are taught in English
and are modeled closely on those offered in the United Kingdom. The majority
of the staff are Uzbek nationals, who have undergone intensive training
at Westminster.
The university
is currently based in Tashkent's Banking and Finance Academy, but will
move to a historic building in the capital's diplomatic quarter in the
spring of 2003. It offers courses in business, computer science and law,
and features a multimedia center, an extensive library, a computing center,
a 120-seat auditorium and lecture rooms.
—
University
of Westminster
Oct. 2, 2002
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