On May 12, 2006, the Business & Economics Education Project officially launched the Kyrgyz–American Center for Entrepreneurship Studies (KACES). This opening ceremony in Kyrgyzstan was followed two weeks later by the opening of the Kazakhstani-American Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (KACEBI) under the West-Kazakhstan Institute of Languages and Management Evrazia.

The Kazakhstani-American Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation opened in May 2006 as a joint initiative of the Western-Kazakhstan Institute of Languages and Management Evrazia (Evrazia Institute), IBC Group, and the USAID funded Business & Economics Education Program, implemented by CARANA Corporation. KACEBI encourages entrepreneurial activity and economic development in western Kazakhstan while positively impacting the business and economics education system and becoming a model center for the region. The Center is providing short-term training courses based on western business methodology. The Center also plans to offer long-term programs (certificates, BBA, and MBA) in coordination with the Evrazia Institute. KACEBI’s overall objectives are to improve entrepreneurship skills, networking mechanisms, and the business education system in order to increase business diversity and strengthen the economy of Kazakhstan.

The Kyrgyz–American Center for Entrepreneurship Studies (KACES) is set to closely work with students, local businesses and universities; to teach and practice business skills that will help Kyrgyz businesses compete in the modern market-oriented world. KACES will be hosting a series of seminars and round tables for the local business community on business planning, developing business ideas, marketing, and finance and competing in a free-market economy. The Center will be offering business seminars and short courses for students who are interested in learning practical skills that will help them to succeed in launching their own businesses. KACES will build strong ties with the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy (MoES&YP) to develop curriculum changes that will encourage university systems in Kyrgyzstan to embrace modern, hands on case methods of instruction.

Other Recent Results from the CAR Business & Economics Education Project:

REGENA. The Regional Education Network Association has recently implemented a new membership drive utilizing direct meetings with university Rectors and Administrators that has resulted in a total of 20 REGENA members. REGENA has fulfilled its EOP goal of adding one developmental partner—CEEMAN—to assist with mentoring and information exchange. REGENA is currently engaged in a range of organizational development activities, including membership, member services, board development and fund raising.

CAR Scholarship Program. B&EE has generated $87,500 in scholarship funding commitments to-date and work continues to generate additional funding from private sources. The program recently learned that the Kazakh government is discussing allocating $200,000 for the CAR Scholarship Program for 2007. This potential funding allocation plays an important potential role in the overall sustainability of the scholarship program.

Faculty Training. B&EE has now trained 831 faculty members in three countries vs. the EOP goal of 700. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan have substantially exceeded their EOP goals.

Co-Finance Funding. In total, B&EE has generated cash commitments of $580,624 and in-kind commitments of $156,343 for a combined total of $736,967 (90.7% of the EOP goal).

Pilot Centers. All thirteen student-oriented pilot centers are operational. Technical assistance work continues in order to improve pilot quality and their ability to serve as models for other institutions. Overall, the pilot centers are receiving widespread acceptance among universities and businesses alike.

Internship Program. The Internship program is operating successfully in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 110 students have been placed in internship programs within 54 companies in the region. Eight interns have secured employment in Kyrgyzstan, while two interns have job commitments in Kazakhstan.

For more information, please visit our Project Description and the Project Web Site.