The Rumsfeld Foundation is pleased to announce the 12 professionals who were selected to participate in the Spring 2019 session of the Central Asia-Caucasus Fellowship Program. Launched in 2008, the Program is a partnership with the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute at the American Foreign Policy Council which brings rising young leaders from Central Asia, the Caucasus, Afghanistan and Mongolia to the United States to promote better understanding and stronger relations among the people of the ten countries of the region, as well as between the United States and the region. The Program aims to foster dialogue and an exchange of ideas among exceptional young professionals working across all sectors and encourages increased regional cooperation.
To view the full announcement, please click here: Spring 2019 Fellows Announcement
As participants of the 22nd Fellowship session, the Spring 2019 group will join the Program’s growing alumni network of 207 former Fellows.
Throughout their six-week program, the Fellows will attend a series of private high-level meetings with top policy-makers, business leaders, journalists, academics, military personnel and regional experts exposing them to inside perspectives on how opinion making, decision making and policy making processes work in the U.S. The group will also spend a week traveling to additional cities including Austin, Texas; San Antonio, Texas and Chicago, Illinois for meetings with local businesses and officials, providing them a view of the U.S. beyond the nation’s capital. In addition to group meetings, the Program staff will assist Fellows in arranging individual meetings for their independent research projects and provide opportunities for professional development and networking. The Fellows will also participate in a group presentation at a Central Asia-Caucasus Institute public forum where they will engage with representatives from local embassies, businesses, universities, the media and others interested in current perspectives from the region.
The Spring 2019 Fellows consist of a diverse group of talented regional leaders:
Mr. Assadullah Zamir – Afghanistan – CEO and Partner of Sabzwar Agribusiness and Food Services as well as the Founder of Abreshum Venture, the first Afghan venture capital firm focusing on social entrepreneurship and private sector development. Research topic: “The Role of Agribusiness in Regional Cooperation: A Case Study of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan”
Mr. Fuad Karimov – Azerbaijan – Director of Professional Support Services LLC, the largest shared services center in Azerbaijan providing financial reporting and taxation services, and adjunct lecturer in Finance, Accounting and Project Management at ADA University. Research topic: “CAMCA Venture Fund as an Investment Booster to Regional Startups and SMEs”
Mr. Giorgi Arveladze – Georgia – Founding and Managing partner of Ubique, a Tbilisi based real estate development firm currently building a gated community, Krtsanisi Residence, in a historic part of Tbilisi, and Owner of GD Invest Group LTD. Research topic: “Promoting People to People Contacts for Reconciliation and Trust Building between Conflict Affected Communities in the South Caucasus”
Ms. Mariam Lashkhi – Georgia – Deputy Chairperson at Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency. Research Topic: “Digital Silk Road: Collaboration between Countries and the Role of International Financial Institutions”
Dr. Almazbek Beishenaliev – Kyrgyzstan – Director of the Regional Institute of Central Asia in Bishkek. Research Topic: “Role of Think Tanks in Policy Making and Promoting Regional Cooperation in the CAMCA Region”
Ms. Jenny Jenish kyzy – Kyrgyzstan – Chairperson of the Association of Social Entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan. Founder of a non-profit, “New Schools Foundation” and “J-Invest Consulting” firm in Kyrgyzstan. Research topic: “Engaging Creative & Entrepreneurial Education with Public-Private Partnership: A New Horizon for Youth Empowerment”
Mr. Olzhas Khudaibergenov – Kazkahstan – Founder and Senior Partner at the Center for Strategic Initiatives LLP, a management consulting firm in Kazakhstan focused on helping government and private sector organizations to design long-term development strategies and organizational transformations. Research topic: “Influence of the Belt and Road Initiative on Central Asia”
Mr. Nurtas Janibekov – Kazkahstan – Advisor to the Governor of the Astana International Financial Centre, a financial hub for Central Asia, the Caucasus, EAEU, the Middle East, West China, Mongolia and Europe. Research Topic: “Promoting Professionals in the Financial Sector and Economic Industry in the CAMCA Region”
Ms. Chimguundari Navaan-Yunden – Mongolia – Ambassador-at-Large and Director of the Investment Research Center at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia, where she oversees the implementation of the flagship Economic Corridor Program between Mongolia-Russia-China, a major program on connectivity via hard and soft infrastructure. Research topic: “Connnectivity as a Tool of Development for Land-locked Countries”
Ms. Nargis Esufbekova – Tajikistan – Head of Secretariat of the Development Coordination Council where she coordinates the efforts of 29 development partners working in Tajikistan with the Tajik Government counterparts on key socio-econnomic development issues. Research topic: “Importance of Regional Integration through Trade”
Ms. Maral Ilyasova – Turkmenistan – Appraisement expert in valuation of real estate, moveable property and business at the Appraisal Company “Turkmen Expert” ES. Research topic: “Importance of Foreign Investments to the Economy of Turkmenistan and the Prospects of CAMCA Cooperation”
Mr. Bokhodir Ayupov – Uzbekistan – Consultant at the Technopark of Software Development and IT, a new insitution set up by the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan with the goal of supporting the development of the startup ecosystem in the country. Research topic: “Developing a Startup Ecosystem in Uzbekistan”
To learn more, visit the Central Asia-Caucasus Fellowship Program page.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sarah C. Tonucci
Executive Director, Rumsfeld Foundation
1030 15th Street, NW, B1, # 366
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 944-1304
E-mail: s.tonucci@dhrllc.net
David Soumbadze
Director, Rumsfeld Fellowship Program
509 C Street NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Tel: (301) 257-5753
E-mail: soumbadze@afpc.org