On 20 February 2026, the OSCE Academy proudly handed graduate degrees to 50 students from three Master’s programmes: 15 in Economic Governance & Development (EGD), 19 in Politics & Security (PS), and 16 in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS). The graduates represented a diverse cohort from five Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Denmark, Russia, and the UK. With this new group of alumni, the total membership in the OSCE Academy’s Alumni Network has reached 758.
Dr. Pal Dunay, Director of the OSCE Academy, opened the Graduation Ceremony for 2026 by welcoming the graduating students, representatives from the Kyrgyz government, members of the diplomatic corps, partners, donors, and families. In his address, Dr. Dunay emphasized the significance of this year’s graduation, stating, “You join a community moving the alumni community from 708 to 758 members. We add 50 graduates to this group of select people.” He encouraged graduates to support their alma mater in every way they can, including keeping in contact, publishing with the Academy, and relying on the Academy if it can help them. He urged them to become ambassadors for the OSCE Academy.
Following Dr. Dunay, H.E. Ambassador Dr. Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the OSCE Academy, took the stage. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024-2026 and highlighted the importance of unity, claiming, “What will remain with you most strongly is not only the knowledge acquired of the degrees earned, but the shared experience you have lived together. The friendships, debates, and collective efforts that shaped your journey will continue to connect you long after today.”
After Ambassador Frobarth, Mr. Meder Abakirov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, addressed the audience. He emphasized that “the OSCE Academy is a unique educational institution not only in Kyrgyzstan or in the region, but in the whole world.” Mr. Abakirov expressed his sincere appreciation to the Academy, noting that “citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic and other countries receive not only high-quality education but also the opportunity to develop regional capacity in the fields of International Relations, Comprehensive Security, Human Rights, Democratization, Rule of Law, Economic Governance, and Development.”
Dr. Dunay then invited H.E. Siroco Messerli, the Swiss Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, to speak on behalf of the Swiss Chairpersonship of the OSCE in 2026. Ambassador Messerli addressed distinguished guests and graduates, noting, “For me it’s indeed a great pleasure to be here in front of you. I still remember walking by the building of the Academy, and I never dreamed that I would be standing in front of you and congratulate you on your successful completion of studies. It’s a big honor for me to be here with you.” He described graduation as “a very important milestone” that reflects not only hard work and curiosity, but also students’ “commitment to contributing to a more peaceful and cooperative region.” Highlighting the Academy’s regional significance, he stated, “The OSCE Academy stands as one of Central Asia’s most remarkable educational institutions. It is known for combining academic excellence with practical relevance.”
Referring to Switzerland’s OSCE Chairpersonship in 2026, Ambassador Messerli emphasized that “inclusive dialogue, multilateral cooperation are essential tools for addressing modern security challenges.” He stressed that reinforcing the OSCE’s role as a platform for dialogue is particularly vital “at this time we are currently living, when trust is under huge pressure.”
The ceremony continued with a video message from Ms. Kate Fearon, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, who congratulated the graduates and praised the OSCE Academy as “a constant source of inspiration” for the broader OSCE community. She underlined the importance of sustained engagement with Central Asia and commended the Academy for equipping young professionals with essential skills to prevent conflict and promote dialogue across the region.
Following the video address, Professor Mike Hayes, Vice President of the Global Campus of Human Rights and Academic Director of the Global Campus Asia-Pacific Master’s Programme, delivered remarks on behalf of the Global Campus network. He noted that the MA in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS) programme, celebrating its second cohort of graduates, is part of a global network of over 100 universities dedicated to advancing human rights education.
Professor Hayes reflected on the global context in which the graduates are beginning their careers. “These students are graduating into a world where human rights and sustainability face many challenges,” he said, pointing to climate change, rising inequality, technological misuse, and increasing conflict. Yet, he expressed confidence in the class of 2024-2026, emphasizing that global problems require global networks and that the Academy’s graduates now join an international community committed to the promotion and protection of human rights.
The ceremony then moved to the formal awarding of diplomas. Dr. Dunay invited Amb. Frobarth to join him on stage as graduates of the MA in Economic Governance and Development (EGD) and the MA in Politics and Security (PS) were called forward individually to receive their degrees. Each graduate was greeted with applause as they crossed the stage, marking the culmination of two years of rigorous academic work. For the MA in Human Rights and Sustainability, Professor Dr. Anja Mihr, Academic Director of the programme, addressed the audience before announcing the names of the graduates. She highlighted the programme’s growth and its role in strengthening regional expertise in human rights and sustainability. Graduates received their diplomas to sustained applause, followed by a collective moment as Dr. Dunay invited all students to rise and be formally congratulated.
The celebration continued with speeches from faculty members, including Dr. Sebastian Mayer, DAAD Associate Professor for the PS Programme, Dr. Kuat Akizhanov, Deputy Director of the CAREC Institute, and Visiting Lecturer for the EGD Programme, and Dr. Zhyldyz Tegizbekova, Visiting Lecturer for the MAHRS Programme, each of whom commended the graduates for their intellectual curiosity, resilience, and commitment.
The Presentation of Awards recognized outstanding academic achievement across all three programmes:
MA in Economic Governance and Development (EGD)
The Best MA Thesis Award was presented to Ms. Kasiet Toktogulova (Kyrgyzstan).
The Top GPA Award was awarded to Ms. Anara Ikramova (Kyrgyzstan).
MA in Politics and Security (PS)
The Best MA Thesis Award was presented to Ms. Elizaveta Nikolaeva (Russia), who also received the Top GPA Award.
Further two Top GPA Awards were presented to Ms. Leyli Yuldashova (Turkmenistan) and Mr. Samir Sultanov (Azerbaijan). It happened for the first time in the history of the OSCE Academy that three students achieved the same top level GPA (3.8 on the scale of 4.0)
MA in Human Rights and Sustainability (MAHRS)
The Best MA Thesis Award was presented to Ms. Darya Vasilenko (Turkmenistan).
The Top GPA Award was awarded to Ms. Rachel Cantlow (UK).
In their farewell speeches, representatives from each programme reflected on their shared academic journey. Mr. Komronbek Isroilov (Uzbekistan) spoke on behalf of the MA in Politics and Security cohort, Mr. Eldar Farkhadov (Kyrgyzstan) addressed the audience for the EGD programme, and Ms. Rachel Cantlow (UK) delivered remarks for MAHRS. Each highlighted the friendships formed, the intellectual challenges embraced, and the sense of regional solidarity cultivated at the Academy.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Dunay once again congratulated the graduates and thanked the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the international partners, donors, faculty, and families for their continued support. He invited all graduates, distinguished guests, and partners to join for the traditional group photo, followed by a reception.
