Central Asia University Partnerships (UniCEN)

UniCEN is a platform to increase sustainable collaborations between US and Central Asian higher education institutions. UniCEN builds expertise in the areas of strategic planning, administration, faculty policies and practices, student mobility, curriculum development, and alumni relations to advance the development of mutually beneficial partnerships.

Through UniCEN, American Councils for International Education has created a growing network of more than 100 Central Asian universities seeking to improve their knowledge of US higher education practices, increase internationalization, implement action plans for partnerships with US higher education institutions, and collaborate on cross-border projects. Join our network to help seed partnership activity in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Funded by the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Central Asia University Partnerships (UniCEN) program builds capacity for substantive international engagement between higher education institutions in the United States and Central Asia. UniCEN supports selected universities across Central Asia to achieve a practical, practicable understanding of the U.S. higher education system and how to engage successfully in partnerships.

Requirements

The program emphasizes areas for partnership between the U.S. and Central Asian countries, particularly looking at economic sectors of mutual interest and supporting the development of respective workforces. UniCEN grants will be awarded to U.S. universities to establish partnerships or advance existing collaborations between faculty and administrators at U.S. and Uzbekistan higher education institutions. Administered by American Councils for International Education (American Councils), the grants will advance the following program goals: 

  • Сurriculum, teaching, and assessment methods for improved student outcomes 

  • Faculty policies, practices, and administrative structure 

  • Faculty research collaborations for society, economic, and workforce development 

  • Student exchanges 

Eligibility 

U.S. university faculty members and administrators are eligible to apply for partnership awards. Projects that advance current U.S.-Uzbekistan university connections or establish new partnerships are encouraged. American Councils will evaluate applications based on: 

  • Project concept (including the readiness of partners to engage virtually and use online tools and resources) 

  • Personnel (including experience and engagement in Uzbekistan or Central Asia; 
    international experience) 

  • Impact and sustainability 

  • Budget 

 

Program Contact   

American Councils for International Education   
Central Asia University Partnerships (UniCEN) Program   
12 Shota Rustaveli Street   
Grand Business Center,
Office #208, Yakkasaroy District   
100070 Tashkent, Uzbekistan   
T: +998 78 150 71 50   
E: info.uz@americancouncils.org