ISDC – International Security and Development Center and the University of Central Asia (UCA) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reflecting the continuity of their long-standing academic partnership. The agreement was signed by Prof. Tilman Brück, Founder and Director of ISDC Berlin, and Prof. Eran Edirisinghe, Dean of Research at UCA. The formal signing ceremony was marked by the distinguished attendance of Prince Aly Muhammad Aga Khan, alongside prominent representatives from both the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the ISDC research team.
Sustaining the Longest-Running Panel Study in Central Asia
At the core of this institutional agreement is the continuity and development of the Life in Kyrgyzstan (LiK) Study. Launched in 2010, the LiK Study tracks the same households and individuals over time, capturing multidimensional data on family dynamics, economic well-being, and social change. As the longest-running panel survey in Central Asia, this initiative functions as a leading open-access knowledge infrastructure, heavily utilised by independent international scholars, regional practitioners, policy makers, as well as for teaching purposes.
Expanding Collaboration
The signing of the MoU points to a future of expanded data collection methodologies and rigorous joint research publications. By consolidating the institutional networks of ISDC, UCA, and AKDN, the partnership will continue to provide policymakers with the evidence-based insights required to foster sustainable development and resilience across Central Asian region.
For more details on the survey’s methodologies, upcoming annual research conferences please visit the official the ‘Life in Kyrgyzstan’ Study website.
Photo credit: AKDN / Akbar Hakim and ISDC
