Department of International and Comparative Politics

Sabina Dzhumalieva, a sophomore student of International and Comparative Politics, was awarded for the receipt of the Best Presentation Award at the FYS/SYS Conference 2024 with the theme ‘Humanity and Society’, Panel B.

Under the guidance of the FYS Professor Aida Aidarova, she wrote and presented her essay titled "The Banality of Evil: 'Obeying the Rules' or Using Them as an Excuse?" which delved into the intricacies of individual responsibility and moral agency within totalitarian regimes.

In her essay, Sabina explores totalitarianism, a form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state. Her main claim is that supporting such a regime leads to a total loss of ability to think and make decisions independently, hence people can throw off their responsibility and hide behind their executive.

Throughout her presentation, she meticulously dissected the psychological mechanisms underlying obedience to authority, shedding light on the profound implications of moral rationalizations on personal culpability. The essay elucidated how, under totalitarian regimes, individuals may absolve themselves of responsibility by attributing their actions to orders from superiors, thereby highlighting the complex interplay between individual agency and external pressures.

Congrats, Sabina! We wish you all success in your education.

American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Open Society University Network

Webinar Invitation: United Nations Career Development Programme by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (May 06, 14:00, Online)

You are cordially invited to a webinar on the ''United Nations Career Development Programme'' on May 06, 2024, Monday, at 14:00 (Bishkek Time) by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Zoom Meeting ID: 870 3548 6431
Passcode: 587 804

American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Open Society University Network

The Role of Higher Education Institutions in Fostering Sustainability Transformation.

International Staff Training Week 2024 at the University of Marburg Ms. Aselia Umetalieva, Head of ISO and Dr. Görkem Atsungur, Head of Social Sciences, and Chair of the ICP Department were invited to attend the International Staff Week program organized by the University of Marburg in Germany

ICP Ambassador Talks - H.E. Mr. Hasan Ali Zaigham - Islamic Republic of Pakistan on March 28, 2024, Thursday, 15:30-16:30, Room 434.

American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Open Society University Network

Ambassador Talks: Pakistan’s Vision for Central Asia and Our Emphasis on Connectivity. In a recent diplomatic rendezvous at AUCA, His Excellency Mr. Hasan Ali Zaigham, the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kyrgyz Republic, engaged in a dialogue about Pakistan's strategic vision for Central Asia, emphasizing the paramount importance of connectivity.

ICP Public Lectures on Central Asia:
Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders - Public Lectures of Top Scholars for Global Perspectives.

With Dr. Çağla Gül Yesevi - "Migration from Central Asia: Stories and Identity Formation"

American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Open Society University Network

Mr. Maksat Tentimishov - Ex-Director General of the 4th Political Department (Middle East, South Asia, and Africa) from July 2022 until January 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Mr. Tentimishov served several diplomatic missions such as a Consul General of the Kyrgyz Republic in Guangzhou, China (March 2014-December 2018); Director of the Department of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2010-2014); Head of the Consular Agency of the Kyrgyz Republic in Frankfurt Am Main in Germany (2005-2006), and First Secretary of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Germany (2003-2005).

American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Open Society University Network

ICP Public Lectures on Central Asia: Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders: Public Lectures of Top Scholars for Global Perspectives.
American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Open Society University Network

Faculty Research for Engaged Political Research: Inspiring Inquiry, Shaping Change.

Insights from Global Diplomacy and Real-World Perspectives to the Classroom: Ambassador Talks Series

The International and Comparative Politics (ICP) Department’s Ambassador Talks Series provides a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand insights into the world of diplomacy, global affairs, and political decision-making.

By hearing from seasoned ambassadors and diplomatic experts, ICP students bridge the gap between academic theories and real-world practices, enriching their understanding of international relations and the complexities of diplomatic negotiations.

We are proud of our alumni's success!
Good luck with your new experiences!

Engaged Political Research
Student-Centered Classroom
Civic Engagement
Social Responsibility

Intro to Political Economy and Intro to International Relations Courses

Exchange Opportunities for the ICP Students

What will you learn at the ICP Department?
For more information on courses, please visit the ICP website:
https://auca.kg/en/icp_courses/

Department of International and Comparative Politics - Open House Day: February 10, 2024
https://auca.kg/en/international_comparative_politics/

On Friday, the 8th of December, AUCA was honored to host Her Excellency Ms. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. This visit was part of the Ambassador Talks Series, organized as part of a series of events by the ICP Department. The event was marked by an insightful presentation on the Erasmus+ program and a speech by Ms. Josefson on the cooperation between the European Union and the Kyrgyz Republic.

https://www.auca.kg/en/auca_news/5967/

American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics

Penn State & American University of Central Asia
Penn State School of International Affairs & Department of International and Comparative Politics

At the heart of academic exploration and global engagement, our university had the honor of hosting yet another enlightening series of Ambassador Talks. The International and Comparative Politics department arranges the event in close cooperation with the President's Office at the American University of Central Asia.
American University of Central Asia
Department of International and Comparative Politics
Full article: https://www.auca.kg/en/auca_news/5961/

The top spot is the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) in Kyrgyzstan. This is the result of the QS World University Rankings Asia 2024 compiled by Quacquarelli Simmons (QS) of the UK. The American University of Central Asia received the highest evaluation among other universities of Kyrgyzstan and occupied the top 10 in Central Asia and the top 29% in the QS Asia University Rankings. AUCA reaffirmed its status of the leading higher education institution in the country and Central Asia and received the highest evaluation in faculty-student ration, international student ration, international academic external evaluations and evaluations from employers.

The QS World University Rankings is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and influential university rankings in the world. According to QS, the World University Ranking Asia 2024 is determined by evaluating global recognition, educational resources, research ability, internationalization of the university, and graduate employability rate. This year, the QS Asia Rankings was the largest ever, with 857 published institutions from 25 countries participating, including 149 educational institutions participating in the ranking for the first time.

The first place in the overall ranking was Peking University in China, the second was the University of Hong Kong, and the third place was the National University of Singapore in Singapore. The rest of the top ten is rounded out by a diverse selection of institutions from across East and South East Asia – including Malaysia, Mainland China, and South Korea.

We are proud to be the top 10 in Central Asia and number one in Kyrgyzstan while competing with giant higher education institutions in Asia. We strive to advance our internationalization, academic and employer reputation as well as educational resources and research ability to provide our students high-quality education in a multi-disciplinary and international environment in Kyrgyzstan.

Department of International and Comparative Politics
American University of Central Asia

Department of International and Comparative Politics
American University of Central Asia

Department of International and Comparative Politics of the American University of Central Asia organized its ''Ambassador Talks Series'' with His Excellency Mr. Nicholas Bowler, the U.K. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic on October 25, 2023.
We thank Mr. Ambassador for sharing his experience and knowledge with us.

Department of International and Comparative Politics of the American University of Central Asia organized its ''Ambassador Talks Series'' with His Excellency Mr. Lesslie Viguerie, the U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic on October 23, 2023.
We thank Mr. Ambassador for sharing his experience and knowledge with us.

Abdul Ali Ismailzada, ICP Alumni, 2022
Bard College, MA Student in Global Studies

I studied Political Science and International Relations with passion and the Department of International and Comparative Politics (ICP) at the American University of Central Asia helped me follow it rigorously with enthusiasm as I realized a new global vision of really understanding the political, and economic structures of the world. ICP enabled me to thoroughly understand intricate real-world challenges in one of the most complex epochs of our history about global issues theoretically and philosophically, interstate actors, state relations, and beyond. Suffice it to say, ICP as a major, is as much about the importance of how we look forward to global challenges, observe the development of global institutions, and find ways to tackle every geopolitical dilemma and crisis. More importantly, ICP made me committed to taking responsibility for the face of my community and the world as a student senate, and global citizen while traveling and reforming my vision of looking back on new ways of understanding and being passionate in solving global crises.