Aga Khan Humanities Project

Student Activities

Undergraduate students studying the Aga Khan Humanities Project (AKHP) course in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are involved in a variety of outside activities. Such activities are a way to extend what students have learned in the classroom and apply AKHP principles to the development of their communities and societies.

Student Projects

Kulob students dancing to falak
at an AKHP partner university conference in July 2003.

Students participate in various contests to develop their own student projects. Student projects are closely related to the ideas and problems of civil society development. Projects enable students to develop their organisational, leadership and professional skills. Projects in the 2002-3003 academic year include:

  • Abay State University (Almaty, Kazakhstan) – "In the flow of time", research work on rock paintings and creation of new material that could be used for the AKHP course
  • Institute of Eastern Languages and Cultures (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) – "Play my komuz", a collection of materials about the Kyrgyz national instrument the komuz and the production of an accompanying film
  • Khujand State University (Khujand, Tajikistan) – "What are women singing about?", research into the musical traditions of women in the Sogd region of northern Tajikistan
  • Khorog State University (Khorog, Tajikistan) – "Poiamal, the dance of death", study of the traditional Pamiri (eastern Tajikistan) death dance resulting in a three-language film about the tradition
  • Kulob State University (Kulob, Tajikistan) – "Falak", a study of this national art formto be broadcast on local television
  • Osh State University (Osh, Kyrgyzstan) – "Young people in favour of conflict resolution", training in secondary schools on conflict resolution using a variety of interactive methods
  • Tajik State Institute of Languages (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) – "Literature", the publication of a book and newsletters following a partner university-wide competition to find the best lyrics, epic and drama written by AKHP students
  • Tajik State Pedagogical University (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) – "Eastern magic", a study of Tajik national jewellery
  • Tajik Technical University (Dushanbe, Tajikistan) – "Your View", continuation of 2001-2002’s series of television shows made for and by students covering issues relevant to them and their societies

Student Internships 

A relatively new scheme, AKHP organises internships for students in Tajikistan eager to put the concepts of civil society they have been studying to practical use towards the development of Tajikistan. The Internship Programme aims to introduce organizations to these gifted students while simultaneously introducing the students to potential careers.

Student Conferences

AKHP intern with members of a women's microcredit programme in Rasht valley, central Tajikistan

Students at Tajik Technical University (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)
working together

AKHP students also actively participate in regional and international conferences and forums.  In the 2002-2003 academic year, AKHP student delegates attended the following conferences:

  • December 2002, 3D Debate Forum: Debate from Dubrovnik to Dushanbe, Istanbul, Turkey (organised by CEP)

  • March 2003, Recreating the world, heritages and perspectives, Almaty, Kazakhstan (organised by CEP)

  • March 2003, International Crisis Game, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (organised by the American University of Central Asia and CEP)

  • April 2003, Annual Regional Debate Forum, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (organised by CEP)

  • July2003, Summer debate forum, Hodji Obi Garm, Tajikistan (organised by OSI)

  • The first AKHP partner university-wide student conference was held in July 2003, bringing together students from all nine partner universities to examine the theme ‘From Theory to Practice’, designed to help students apply the knowledge they gain from the AKHP course to their local communities and societies

Contact information

Jyldyz Doolbekova, University Project Officer
Aga Khan Humanities Project
75 Tolstoy Street
Dushanbe 734000
Tajikistan

Email: doolbekova.akhp@tajnet.com 
Tel.: (992 372) 245297/245823
Fax: (992 372) 510128

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