Theology Department

On April 12, 2017, the State Commission for Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic issued certificate No. 0382-RUZ, granting the right to provide higher religious education. In addition, on July 7, 2017, based on order No. 936/1 of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, license No. LD170001294 was issued to conduct educational activities (code: 531600 – Theology). Based on this license, the Department of Theology and Natural-Humanitarian Disciplines was established to implement the educational program 531600 – Theology, and student instruction in the specialty 531600 – Theology began in accordance with the State Educational Standard. As a result, for the first time in the university’s history, it became possible to organize the educational process on the basis of a state license, and in the 2017–2018 academic year 50 students were admitted to the first year. In 2018, the Department of Theology and Natural-Humanitarian Disciplines was reorganized and renamed the Theology Department. Currently, 267 students are studying in the 531600 – Theology educational program.

The mission of the Theology Department is to provide religious education based on state educational standards, improve religious literacy in society, strengthen tolerance and interfaith harmony, and prepare responsible, modern, and competitive theology specialists who preserve spiritual and moral values.

The main goals of the department are as follows:

• to train highly qualified specialists within the framework of the 531600 – Theology educational program;
• to raise students’ scientific, theoretical, and practical knowledge through the integration of religious, philosophical, and humanitarian sciences;
• to develop students’ ability to analyze religious texts scientifically, think critically, and conduct research;
• to educate specialists who correctly understand religious issues in society and are capable of resisting radicalism and extremism;
• to prepare citizens who preserve spiritual, moral, national, and universal values;
• to develop research activities and continuously improve the quality of education.

The main activities of the Theology Department include the following areas:

• organizing and conducting the educational process for the 531600 – Theology program in accordance with the State Educational Standard of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• delivering lectures, seminars, and practical classes in theology, religious studies, philosophy, and the humanities;
• developing and updating curricula, teaching and methodological complexes, syllabi, and educational programs;
• organizing students’ research work and supervising course papers and final qualification theses;
• developing the research activities of the faculty, preparing and publishing scientific articles, textbooks, and teaching manuals;
• organizing scientific and practical conferences, seminars, round tables, and educational events;
• conducting educational work aimed at improving religious literacy, strengthening interfaith harmony, and preventing religious extremism;
• developing cooperation with state bodies, religious organizations, research institutions, and educational institutions;
• carrying out students’ moral and educational development and shaping spiritual and ethical values;
• supporting graduates’ successful adaptation to the labor market and ensuring their practical training.

The department has been headed since 2021 by PhD in theology Sultanbek Dzholmatovich Tashmatov.

A graduate who successfully completes the 531600 – Theology educational program is awarded the qualification of theologian (bachelor).

Graduates of the Theology specialty can work in the following institutions and organizations:

• in religious educational institutions (madrasa, school, religious college, and higher education institutions) as teachers or specialists;
• in the State Commission for Religious Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and its regional divisions;
• in the muftiate, kaziyats, religious organizations, and confessional institutions as specialists or consultants;
• in state bodies and local self-government bodies as specialists on religious issues;
• in public and non-governmental organizations (in the areas of improving religious literacy and preventing extremism);
• in research institutions and analytical centers;
• in mass media as experts or analysts on religious issues;
• in institutions focused on education, enlightenment, and social work.