On March 11, 2025 the opening of short-term intensive training courses for guides and interpreters with Chinese language skills took place in the smart-classroom of the main building. They were organized by the Kyrgyz-Chinese Institute of KNU and the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, which initiated the courses in response to the growing demand for qualified specialists in the field of tourism.
The event was attended by representatives of the tourism industry, teachers and students of the country’s leading universities.
In his welcoming speech, the Rector of KNU, Professor Dogdurbek Chontoev, noted that the university always strives to meet the needs of the labor market and actively supports initiatives aimed at training highly qualified specialists.
“Kyrgyzstan is a country with a rich history, unique nature and distinctive culture. It is professional guides who open this amazing world for our guests. We are glad that the Kyrgyz-Chinese Institute, together with the Department of Tourism, initiated this important project,” Dogdurbek Chontoev emphasized.
Why do we need guides and interpreters who speak Chinese?
China remains one of Kyrgyzstan’s key partners, and the flow of tourists from China is actively growing. As Maya Travel CEO Maya Bukbaeva noted, on February 5, 2025, three large travel companies approached the Department of Tourism with a request to assist in training guides, as there is currently an acute shortage of qualified specialists.
“Today, there are many Chinese translators, but there is a shortage of guides and interpreters. The flow of tourists from China is increasing, and we need to train personnel who can not only translate, but also professionally represent Kyrgyzstan for Chinese guests,” she emphasized.
The Department of Tourism promptly responded to the request of the tourism business and approached the Kyrgyz National University with a proposal to organize specialized training courses for guides and interpreters.
For her part, the representative of the Department of Tourism Nazgul Akjolova emphasized that the development of the tourism industry is impossible without high-quality training of personnel:
“One of our priority tasks is to create conditions for training and advanced training of tourism specialists. The launch of these courses is an important step towards strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s position as a popular tourist destination for Chinese guests,” she noted.
The course program includes language learning, understanding of Chinese culture, tourist preferences and modern service standards. Representatives of the tourism industry expressed their willingness to cooperate with graduates of the program, emphasizing that high-quality training of guides and interpreters will help improve the level of service and strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s position as a tourist destination for Chinese guests.
