This cooperative centre between Austrian universities and Central Asian partners in the Eurasia-Pacific Uninet was opened on May 15, 2008 in Bishkek at the Kyrgyz State University fpr Construction, Transportation and Architecture with addresses by Prof. Akymbek Abdykalykov - Rector of KSUCTA, Prof. Ishengul Boldjurova - Minister of Education and Science of KR, HE Ursula Fahringer - Ambassador of Austria to the Kyrgyz Republic and Prof. Brigitte Winklehner – President of Eurasia-Pacific Uninet.
Support from the Eurasia-Pacific Uninet and the ongoing cooperation with Z_GIS will facilitate joint projects, faculty and student exchanges, a number of on-site and mobility scholarships as well as the development of a research programme focussed on GIScience and application requirements in Central Asia.
The opening of the new centre was immediately followed by the Second Central Asia GIS Conference 'GIS for the Future of Central Asia' - GISCA'08, bringing a representatives from across Central Asia to a programme focussed on GIS education.