Cambridge Central Asia Forum

As part of the Korean government funded GRN project on the history of science diplomacy in Eurasia, Cambridge, Hanyang Uni, Plekhanov Institute and Eurasian Research Institute organised a two day workshop on ‘Science in Diplomacy and Diplomacy in Science’. The workshop included senior scientists and agencies involved with diplomacy in South Korea to evaluate how best to develop Eurasian Science Diplomacy programmes especially with regards to Central Asia. Read More

The delegation was composed of Dr Shoazim Minavarov, Director of the Islamic Civilization Centre (Head of the Delegation); Dr Ziyodov, Director of the Imam Al Bukhari Centre; Dr Najmiddinov, Director of the Islamic Research Centre under the Tashkent Islamic University; Mr Islomov, Senior Consultant, the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan; Mr R. Bakhodirov, Director of the Centre for Research of Uzbekistan’s Cultural Artefacts Abroad, His Excellency Dr Alisher Shaykhov, Ambassador of Uzbekistan in London and Dr Safarov, Councellor. The delegation visited the Fitzwilliam Museum, Ancient India and Iran Trust and Jesus College with Dr Saxena and Dr Yunusov on 3 March 2018.

The third GRN workshop on ‘Cooperation in Eurasia: Science and Politics’ on 26-27 June with Hanyang Uni, S. Korea brought together researchers from Plekhanov Uni of Economics (Russia), Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, Uni of Cambridge (UK), Eurasian Research Institute (Kazakhstan), Korean Research Institute of Science, Technology and Civilization, Chonbuk National Uni (South Korea), and Asia-Pacific Research Centre, Hanyang Uni (South Korea). The workshop elaborated moving away from the idea of a zero-sum game in understanding relations where Eurasia can help inform the ways in which science can guide policy not only in content but in action.

GCRF COMPASS Cambridge organised a one day workshop on BRI and the Silk Road on 15 March in the Centre of Development Studies. This workshop was a continuation of the workshop on BRI organised in the University of Kent by our GCRF COMPASS partners in Kent. The workshop included presentations and talks by Prof Peter Nolan, Dr Sanghera (Uni of Kent), Dr Radivojevic (UCL), Dr Satybaldieva (Uni of Kent), Dr Kudaibergenova (Cambridge), Dr Safdar, Prof Baichorov (BSU) and P. Kalra. The workshop was moderated by Dr Saxena.

On 15 November 2018 the Cambridge team in the GCRF COMPASS project hosted a delegation from Uzbekistan. The event was organised by Cambridge Central Asia Forum, Jesus College, University of Cambridge, GCRF COMPASS UK, Centre of Development Studies and the Independent Institute for Monitoring Civil Society in Uzbekistan, Embassy of the Uzbekistan in the UK and the OSCE Office in Uzbekistan. The head of the delegation was Prof Obdumuradov, Head of the Sector of the Presidential Administration in Uzbekistan. Nick Ray, Convenor of the Cambridge Central Asia Forum Committe was also present.

The University of Cambridge along with its partners – University of Kent, ADA University (Azerbaijan), Belarusian State University, Tajik National University, and University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Uzbekistan), launched the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) “COMPASS” Project (ES/P010849/1; 2017-21), on 22-23 May 2018, Minsk, Belarus.

Some of the best graduate students from Central Asia will be able to study at Cambridge thanks to a co-funding scholarship agreement signed last week between the Cambridge Overseas Trust and the University of Central Asia.

A CCAF initiated project gets renewed! A senior delegation from the University of Central Asia visited Cambridge on 9 November, to sign a renewed agreement with the Cambridge Trust for a programme of co-funded PhD scholarships. Leading the delegation was Dr Shamsh Kassim-Lakha (pictured, right), accompanied by Dr Bohdan Krawchenko, Director General and Dean of Graduate Studies at UCA, and Dr Salim Sumar, Head of the UCA Central Asian Faculty Development.

A CCAF initiated project gets renewed! A senior delegation from the University of Central Asia visited Cambridge on 9 November, to sign a renewed agreement with the Cambridge Trust for a programme of co-funded PhD scholarships. Up to nine full scholarships will be available for students starting their research in Cambridge in 2018-19 and the two following years.