Kyrgyzstan:  The Last Chance for Freedom in Central Asia

Ambassador Bakyt Beshimov
Vice-President for Academic Affairs,
American University of Central Asia,
Bishkek

Ambassador Bakyt Beshimov combines extensive experience in education, politics, diplomacy, and development. He is presently the Vice-President for Academic Affairs at the American University in Central Asia. His vision and goal in this position is to transform the university into a vibrant source of leadership, driving Central Asian development and integration. Prior to this, Bakyt Beshimov served as Kyrgyzstan’s Ambassador to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. His ambassadorial work centered on building the foundation for a lasting, fruitful, and multi-level friendship between these countries and Kyrgyzstan, and capitalizing on powerful emerging trends such as IT, renewable energy, and regional trade and tourism. Before this diplomatic assignment, Ambassador Beshimov served as a Member of Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, where he developed the Parliament’s important linkages with international organizations and pushed for progressive investment, education, and anti-corruption reforms. He also served as the Rector of the Osh State University and upon assumption of that post became the youngest university rector in Kyrgyzstan. In his six years at the university, he transformed it from its earlier position as a regional pedagogic institute, opening several new departments and learning centers, such as medicine, business and management, theology, the Center for the Study of the Indian Civilization, and the Modern Languages Laboratory. Throughout this time and in conjunction with his primary professional roles, he served as the National Manager of the United Nations Ferghana Valley Development Program and of the UNDP Local Initiative for Urban Environment. He is a frequent contributor to national and regional media, and he sees his public role as adding vision to opportunity and analysis to vision. His dream for Central Asia is that of a region of vibrant, positive cultures, humane, visionary politics, and dynamic, innovative economies. He received the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Candidate’s degrees in history and political science from Kyrgyz National University.