DEFA

Project Title: Development of Financial Autonomy of Universities in Kyrgyzstan

Project Acronym: DEFA

Contact Person / Coordinator: Mirlan Chynybaev

Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov
720044, Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Chingiz Aitmatov Avenue, 66

E-mail: defa@kstu.kg

PROJECT SUMMARY

Kyrgyzstan is implementing higher education reforms aimed at aligning its system with European standards of university governance. Particular attention is given to adapting the Bologna Process and the European standards of higher education quality. The transition to a three-cycle education system has been completed, and a national qualification framework has been developed and approved. However, university governance reforms have not yet kept pace with modern requirements. In particular, existing financial management systems do not sufficiently promote university autonomy, which is a key condition for developing innovative and competitive institutions. The development of alternative management tools increasingly requires expanding the autonomy of higher education institutions. Financial independence plays a central role in the overall system of university autonomy.

This project focuses on piloting and expanding new university self-governance systems and strengthening financial autonomy. By studying the experience of European partners in enhancing their institutional and financial autonomy, a model of university financial autonomy in Kyrgyzstan will be developed, tested, and evaluated. The project includes a needs analysis, development of an implementation strategy, creation of a university financial autonomy model, preparation of proposals for revising legal norms in close cooperation with relevant public authorities, as well as pilot training sessions for university staff and ministry representatives. The project will explore further prospects for strengthening the financial and economic independence of Kyrgyz universities, define current and projected levels of institutional authority within the developed and legislatively established autonomy model, and identify effective solutions for achieving financial and economic independence.