Central Asian University

Central Asian University
Former name
Akfa University
TypePrivate university
Established2019
FounderAKFA Group; AKFA Medline
PresidentKamran Gulamov
Academic staff
215
Students2,200+
Location
Tashkent
,
Uzbekistan
CampusUrban
LanguageEnglish
AffiliationsErasmus+
Websitehttps://centralasian.uz/

Central Asian University (CAU) is a private university located in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It was established in 2019 and provides undergraduate, postgraduate, and medical education programs. Instruction is primarily conducted in English.[1][2][3]

History

Central Asian University was founded in 2019 pursuant to Resolution No. 130 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated 15 February 2019. The institution was originally established under the name ''Akfa University'' by AKFA Group and AKFA Medline.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

The first academic intake included approximately 200 students enrolled in medical programs. In 2020, the university introduced degree programs in business-related fields. Additional academic units, including engineering and education-related programs, were added in 2021.[10][11][12]

In 2022, student enrollment increased, with more than 1,400 newly admitted students. On 26 June 2023, the institution officially changed its name to ''Central Asian University''.[13]

In 2024, the university held its first graduation ceremony. During the same year, it entered into an academic partnership with the Hotel and Tourism Management Institute (HTMi), Switzerland, under which double-degree programs in hospitality and tourism management were introduced.[14][15][16]

A Board of Trustees governs the university. Kamran Gulamov has served as president since February 2023.[17][18]

Academics and research

Central Asian University offers pre-foundation programs, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, medical education, and residency training. Instruction is delivered primarily in English. The academic structure comprises six schools: Engineering, Architecture and Design; Medicine; Dentistry; Business; and Hospitality Management and Tourism. Medical education and residency training are conducted in cooperation with AKFA Medline University Hospital.[19][20]

Research activities are conducted through institutional research units, including the CAU Research Lab. The university publishes the ''CAU Journal of Applied Research''.[21][22][23]

Campus and student life

Central Asian University operates a centralized campus in Tashkent that includes academic buildings, laboratories, libraries, student residences, and sports facilities. The university is implementing a campus expansion project that includes the construction of additional academic and laboratory facilities.[24][25][26][27][28]

As of 2025, the university enrolls more than 2,200 students and employs over 500 staff members, including academic and administrative personnel. On-campus housing and student support services are available for domestic and international students.[29][30]

Global recognition and partnerships

Central Asian University has been included in several international ranking systems. In 2025, it was ranked 975 globally in the Round University Ranking, listed in the 1501+ band of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and received a 4 Stars rating in the QS Stars system.[31]

The university participates in the Erasmus+ programme and European Union–funded capacity-building projects. In 2025, it entered into a cooperation agreement with the Cleveland Clinic related to the development of a university hospital in Uzbekistan.[32][33][34][35][36]

References

  1. ^ "Central Asian University CAU". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  2. ^ "Central Asian University". amba.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.comschools. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  3. ^ "Cleveland Clinic and Central Asian University Sign Strategic Agreement to Collaborate on Central Asian University Hospital in Uzbekistan". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  4. ^ "130-сон 15.02.2019. On the establishment of Akfa University". lex.uz. Archived from the original on 2025-05-30. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  5. ^ UzDaily. "Akfa University established in Uzbekistan". UzDaily.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  6. ^ kunu.uz. "Akfa University will be established – Governmental Decree". Kun.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  7. ^ kunu.uz. "AKFA to establish a private university". Kun.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  8. ^ "Revolving doors, invisible hands: how the state and private sector are merging in the new Uzbekistan". UzInvestigations. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  9. ^ "AKFA University is becoming Central Asian University (CAU)". centralasian.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  10. ^ UzDaily. "AKFA University starts 2019/2020 academic year admission". UzDaily.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  11. ^ UzDaily. "AKFA University opens new departments with a Turkish university". UzDaily.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  12. ^ UzDaily. "AKFA University and TED University discuss launch of new departments". UzDaily.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  13. ^ kunu.uz. "Akfa University responds to Competition Committee's statement". Kun.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  14. ^ "CONGRATULATIONS TO CENTRAL ASIAN UNIVERSITY FOR SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHING OUR DUAL AWARD". HTMi Switzerland. 2025-02-28. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  15. ^ "HTMi Switzerland and Central Asian University (CAU), Uzbekistan Sign a New Partnership". HTMi Switzerland. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  16. ^ "OUR PARTNER, CÂU, CENTRAL ASIAN UNIVERSITY, VISIT HTMI SWITZERLAND". HTMi Switzerland. 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  17. ^ "Azerbaijan's Education Minister visits Central Asian University in Tashkent". Apa.az. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  18. ^ "Central Asian University Board of Trustees". www.cauni.uz (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  19. ^ "Central Asian University". Educatly. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  20. ^ "Central Asian University". amba.ams3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.comschools. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  21. ^ "Cleveland Clinic and Central Asian University Sign Strategic Agreement to Collaborate on Central Asian University Hospital in Uzbekistan". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  22. ^ "ISSN-L 3093-8562 | Title of cluster (medium version) CAU Journal of Applied Research | The ISSN Portal". portal.issn.org. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  23. ^ Kadirova, Irina (September 2025). "Tourism and Hospitality at the Heart of the Silk Road: Uzbekistan's Rise as a Premier Travel Destination". ResearchGate. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  24. ^ "Central Asian University CAU". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  25. ^ "Cleveland Clinic and Central Asian University Sign Strategic Agreement to Collaborate on Central Asian University Hospital in Uzbekistan". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 2025-09-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  26. ^ Julie Washington, cleveland com (2025-09-08). "Cleveland Clinic expands global reach with new Uzbekistan hospital project". cleveland. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  27. ^ Silagy, Amy (2025-09-12). "Cleveland Clinic, Central Asian University to Collaborate on Hospital in Uzbekistan | Medical Construction and Design". Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  28. ^ "Central Asian University and Cleveland Clinic". akfamedline.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  29. ^ "Uzbekistan sees 5-fold growth in university enrollment since 2015". Kun.uz. May 28, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  30. ^ "Central Asian University CAU". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  31. ^ "Central Asian University CAU". Times Higher Education (THE). 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  32. ^ "News". womenempower.uz. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  33. ^ "Central Asian Universities Join Forces at Constructor University Kick-Off for EU-backed sustainability push | Constructor University". constructor.university. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  34. ^ "Azerbaijan, Central Asian Universities Sign Cooperation MoU". caspianpost.com. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  35. ^ "Central Asia's education boom takes center stage at Tashkent QS forum". euronews. 2025-12-01. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
  36. ^ Suhani (2025-04-10). "Techno India Group Joins Hands with AKFA Group to Transform Healthcare and Education in Central Asia". technotimes.info. Retrieved 2026-01-23.
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