Higher Education in IT: An Overview of Ala-Too International University

The International University «Ala-Too» or IUA opened in 1996 and is located in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic. IUA is one of the leading international universities in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, where more than 2,500 students from 38 countries around the world are enrolled.

The university's mission is to prepare specialists with innovative, creative, and constructive abilities, who understand historical values, possess skills in multifaceted thinking and critical analysis, and can quickly adapt to changing conditions through a combination of knowledge and practice, enabling them to work successfully in all corners of the world.

IUA is more than just a higher education institution. It is a dynamic international community where people of different cultures and nationalities live, study, and work side by side. Education at IUA is conducted entirely in English, making graduates sought-after specialists worldwide. Additionally, students in certain programs can choose additional languages of instruction: Japanese, German, Chinese, or French.

Accreditation

IUA educational programs have taken leading positions among participating universities in the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (NAAR):

1st place – Informatics and Computer Engineering

2nd place – Applied Mathematics and Informatics

3rd place – Informatics and Computer Engineering

3rd place in the training of specialists in the field of «Computer Engineering and Information Technologies»

3rd place – Jurisprudence

Furthermore, in the institutional rating of NAAR, IUA took an honorable 2nd place in the training of specialists in the field of «Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Fundamental Informatics».

Bachelor's Programs:

— «Computer Engineering»

— «Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking»

— «Foundations of Creative Industries»

— «Data Analysis and Intelligent Systems»

— «Applied Mathematics and Informatics in Education»

— «Artificial Intelligence and Robotics»

— «Management in Information Technologies».

Master's Programs:

— «Informatics and Computer Engineering».

In 2023, the Faculty of Engineering and Informatics of IUA won the «Best Higher Education in IT» nomination at the Kyrgyzstan Information Technology Forum.

This IUA faculty earned IT AWARDS 2023 for its project on innovative and forward-looking training of young specialists in the IT industry. Additionally, IUA graduate Malik Osmonov, founder of Saratan Studio, received the «Best Digital Creativity» nomination.

Cybersecurity Center at IUA

In February 2023, the Cybersecurity Center opened at IUA, initiated by the Departments of Informatics and Computer Engineering and International and Business Law. The Center's mission is to teach students the theory and practice of cyber hygiene and to conduct research. It is planned to attract international experts to develop this area.

Teaching Staff

High-class professors and teachers from the USA, India, the UK, Canada, Russia, and other countries work at IUA. The entire IUA staff is focused on victory, leadership, and success, aiming to prepare the best specialists, professionals in their field, and leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia.

Opportunities for Students

IUA closely cooperates with universities in North America, South Korea, Germany, Poland, and France under the double degree program. Participating students immerse themselves in a new cultural and educational environment, receive two diplomas for the same period of study, and become more competitive in the job market both domestically and abroad.

Below is a list of universities from five countries:

North American University, North America

Students of IT, management, and pedagogy with high academic performance can participate in the 2+2 double degree program: the first two years of study are spent at IUA, and the remaining two years at North American University.

Solbridge International School of Business, Woosong University, South Korea

Under the 3+1 program, students of management, economics, finance, and international business can participate.

Inha University, South Korea

Inha University is an IUA partner in the 2+2 program. Students of management, economics, and IT can become participants in this program and spend two academic years in South Korea.

Hof University of Applied Sciences, Germany

Hof University of Applied Sciences accepts students in the «Informatics and Computer Engineering» field. Students can study in Germany under the 2+2 program. Additionally, IUA IT graduates can complete internships.

Bialystok University, Poland

IUA cooperates with Bialystok University, which gives programmer students the opportunity to study in Poland for two years.

University of Clermont Auvergne, France

The University of Clermont Auvergne offers IUA students a double degree Erasmus+ master's program in «Development Economics».

How to Apply and Requirements:

— be an IUA student

— overall bachelor's GPA — 75 out of 100 or 2.7 out of 4

— English language level B2 or TOEFL certificates with 95 points or IELTS with 7 points.

IUA also offers tuition discounts from 5% to 100%, based on students' academic achievements and financial situation.

Internships

Students can complete internships both within the university and outside. In December 2023, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between IUA and Inclusive Technology, Rosemont, Illinois. The goal of this memorandum is to establish and develop cooperation in strengthening multifaceted ties in the field of science development, new technologies, and innovative activities, as well as to facilitate the practical implementation of scientific developments.

As part of the cooperation, there will be joint development of the curriculum, research collaborations, guest lectures, masterclasses, and industry networking events, and students will have the opportunity to complete internships and training at Inclusive Technology.

This is just one example of how the university supports students in such cases. Employers and representatives of IT companies are also invited for further cooperation.

Academic Mobility and Documents for It

Since 2015, IUA has been actively participating in the implementation of international credit mobility programs Erasmus KA 171 and currently holds a leading position among universities in Kyrgyzstan in terms of the number of successfully implemented projects.

IUA has a Memorandum of Understanding with more than 100 leading universities from the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Albania, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Poland, Argentina, Sri Lanka, Georgia, Ukraine, India, Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Taiwan, and others, under bilateral and interdepartmental agreements with more than 20 European universities under Erasmus+.

To participate in the Erasmus+ program, a student must be in their 2nd or 3rd year at IUA, have high academic performance, and pass a thorough selection process. If the candidate meets all requirements, they will have the excellent opportunity to study at one of the European universities for six months with a scholarship of 850 euros per month, as well as with coverage of travel expenses.

IUA also invites about 10 professors under the Erasmus+, Fulbright, and Confucius programs. Invited professors stay at IUA from one week to one semester and share their expertise in their specializations.

Fulbright is one of the most prestigious and influential international exchange programs in the USA. The program provides grants and scholarships for students, teachers, researchers, and professionals who wish to study, teach, or conduct research at universities and organizations worldwide.

Student Life

IUA students lead a rich social life. The IUA campus is located in a picturesque area of Bishkek, away from the city's hustle and stress, and includes over 4,000 square meters of open space with six academic buildings, innovative medical, engineering, and computer laboratories, a football field, basketball and volleyball courts, a tennis court, cafeterias, snack bars, and a beautiful garden. The campus also houses 22 student clubs — 10 academic, 5 cultural, and 7 sports, as well as a large library containing over 45,000 books.

Employment

Every year, IUA conducts large-scale events such as «Career Day» and Vacancy Fest.

The goal of «Career Day» is to help graduates find themselves, their life's work, and determine their future career. More than 20 leading organizations present students with current information about internships and vacancies, telling them about opportunities and prospects. Representatives of private and state organizations meet with graduating students.

In 2023, IUA hosted an event called Vacancy Fest. This large-scale event attracted more than 60 companies, including HR grade, Cbonds, Forester, Kands Software, Unique IT Solutions, and others.

Thanks to international accreditation, IUA graduates successfully work in leading companies and organizations worldwide.

The list of companies where IUA graduates work is impressive: Facebook, General Electric, Verizon, Accenture, GenPact, Baylor Genetics, New York University in Abu Dhabi, Booking.com, and other well-known organizations.