According to the Ministry of Education, cooperation within the SCO framework plays an important role in the development of Kyrgyzstan’s education system.

The legal basis for cooperation is the Agreement on Cooperation in Education among the SCO member states’ governments, signed in 2006. The document created conditions for expanding academic exchanges, implementing joint educational programs, and developing scientific cooperation among participating countries.

Each year, citizens of Kyrgyzstan are granted educational quotas to study at Chinese universities. A significant contribution to the development of the international educational space is also made by the SCO University — a network of leading universities from SCO member states, which includes eight universities from Kyrgyzstan.

In 2025, the Kyrgyz delegation took part in the ninth meeting of SCO Education Ministers held in Urumqi, China. Following the meeting, important documents were adopted aimed at further developing educational cooperation, academic mobility, and the training of highly qualified specialists.

Agreements were also signed on the training of simultaneous interpreters, the creation of joint engineering education programs, and the development of international scientific and technical cooperation.

«Kyrgyzstan is consistently strengthening cooperation with SCO member states in the fields of education, science, and innovation. Hosting the SCO summit in 2026 will become an important step in developing international partnerships, expanding opportunities for young people, and increasing the competitiveness of domestic education at the international level,» the ministry said.

The ministry also announced that the SCO International Camp for Young Scientists 2026 will be held from July 5 to July 20. The project continues the Young Researchers Camp initiative and is aimed at developing the scientific potential of youth, strengthening international cooperation, and promoting knowledge exchange among SCO member states.

Participants in the camp will include school students aged from 16 to 19 who are interested in science, technology, and innovation. Educational programs, research projects, meetings with scientists and experts, as well as cultural and educational events will be organized for them.

In connection with the SCO summit, the start of the 2026/27 academic year in Kyrgyzstan’s educational institutions will be postponed to September 15.