The financial autonomy of universities is critical for fostering innovation, enhancing educational quality, and ensuring institutional sustainability. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the need for a structured approach to financial autonomy has become increasingly evident, given the challenges posed by limited funding, bureaucratic constraints, and a shortage of skilled personnel. Through DEFA, universities and the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic have developed a 2024-2030 Strategy and a financial autonomy Model, essential tools for supporting the financial independence of higher education institutions in the country.
2024-2030 strategy for financial autonomy
The 2024-2030 Strategy for financial autonomy of universities in Kyrgyzstan outlines a structured path to achieve full financial autonomy by 2030. It identifies key objectives and proposes concrete actions to modernize the university funding system, diversify income sources, and strengthen the financial management skills of university staff.
The main objectives of the strategy include:
- Modernizing the university financing system;
- Diversifying income sources through strategic partnerships and entrepreneurial activities;
- Strengthening the financial management capacity of university staff.
The strategy is grounded in several fundamental principles:
- Legality: Ensuring all actions comply with national laws and regulations.
- Transparency: Promoting open financial processes to build trust among stakeholders.
- Equity: Guaranteeing equal rights and opportunities for all parties involved in the financial autonomy process.
The Roadmap proposed by the strategy is divided into 3 main phases:
- Preparatory phase, focused on conducting a thorough analysis of the current state of financial autonomy in universities and studying international best practices;
- Development phase, in which a conceptual model of financial autonomy tailored to the needs of Kyrgyz universities, including training and methodological support is created and tested in pilot universities;
- Dissemination phase, aimed at promoting the model of financial autonomy through dissemination of information and resources to all universities at the national level.
The financial autonomy model
Alongside the strategy, the project has developed a financial autonomy Model for Kyrgyz universities, which serves as a conceptual framework for the autonomous management of financial activities. This model is a flexible tool that each university can adapt to its specific needs, promoting transparency and competitiveness within the educational system.
The Financial Autonomy Model is based on four main blocks:
- Stakeholders and participants in the educational and financial process;
- Funding sources and regulatory references;
- Organizational processes for financial management, such as analysis, planning, and monitoring;
- Transparency mechanisms to build trust and accountability towards society.
Each block is divided into sub-elements that guide universities in planning, monitoring, and evaluating financial performance, ensuring optimal resource use.
Future perspectives
The Strategy and Model represent crucial tools for the future of Kyrgyz universities, enabling greater economic independence and improving the quality of education.
The successful implementation of this Strategy is anticipated to yield several outcomes:
- Improved financial independence of universities, allowing for better resource allocation and management.
- Enhanced academic performance and institutional reputation through increased investment in educational programs and infrastructure.
- A collaborative platform for stakeholders to engage in the development and support of financial autonomy initiatives.
Upon approval by the university’s governing body, the financial autonomy Model serves as normative material for regulating financial activities and provides methodological guidance for financial planning, monitoring, and transparency. This structured approach ensures that universities can adapt the model to their specific needs while maintaining a focus on continuous improvement.
Through the DEFA project, Kyrgyz universities are benefiting from a modernization process that strengthens their capacity for autonomous management and makes them more capable of contributing significantly to the country’s socio-economic development.
Learn more about the DEFA project!
About the project
DEFA – Development of financial autonomy of universities in Kyrgyzstan is a project funded by the program DG EAC, Erasmus+, KA2 Capacity Building Higher Education. It has the objective of implementing a reform of the financial management systems of Kyrgyzstan universities that favors greater university autonomy, competitiveness and innovation.
Partners
- KSTU – Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov (Kyrgyzstan, Coordinator),
- DA MFA KR – Uchrezhdeniye Diplomaticheskaya Akademiya Ministerstva Inostrannykh Del Kyrgyzskov Respubliki Imeni Kazy Dykambayevicha Dikambayeva (Kyrgyzstan),
- IUK – International University of Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan),
- IUK – Issykkul State University Named After K.Tynystanov (Kyrgyzstan),
- OshSU – Osh State University (Kyrgyzstan),
- TalSU – Talas Mamlekettik Universiteti (Kyrgyzstan),
- NSU – S. Naamatov Naryn State University (Kyrgyzstan),
- AU – Adam University (Kyrgyzstan),
- ISM – International School of Medicine Institution (Kyrgyzstan),
- AIU – Ataturk-Alatoo International University (Kyrgyzstan),
- AVUZ – Association of legal entities “Association of Universities of the Kyrgyz Republic” (Kyrgyzstan, Partner associato)
- MES KR – Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan, associate partner)
- OVGU – Otto-Von-Guericke-Universitaet Magdeburg (Germany)
- CESIE (Italy),
- UNIFI – Universita Degli Studi Di Firenze (Italy)
For further information
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Contact Alessia Valenti: alessia.valenti@cesie.org.
