The Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn (KNU) hosted the International Network AML/CFT Institute’s (INI) Education and Career in AML/CFT international exhibition on October 24–25.
Over the course of two days, the university welcomed participants from the INI’s Russian and Kyrgyz member universities, the State Financial Intelligence Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic (SFIS), ITMCFM, the State Financial Intelligence Service’s Training Center, as well as Kyrgyz high school and university students. Employees from eight INI’s member universities and approximately 300 school, college, and university students attended the event, organized by ITMCFM in collaboration with the SFIS Training Center.
The Education and Career in AML/CFT exhibition has two primary components:
On the first day, multilateral discussions took center stage. University, financial intelligence, ITMCFM, and SFIS Training Center representatives addressed the creation of a unified educational space and higher education programs in financial security and AML/CFT. The agenda also included the coordination of the International Network AML/CFT Institute’s activities, as well as the development of the Sodruzhestvo Digital Platform, which aims to become a universal point of access to financial security knowledge for the younger generation. The participants devoted special attention to summarizing the outcomes of the III International Financial Security Olympiad, particularly the achievements and experiences of the Kyrgyz national team.
Furthermore, on October 24, the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn acquired access to the Graphus Financial Investigation Training System, following the signing of the appropriate agreement by representatives of ITMCFM and KNU.
The second day’s events were geared towards future specialists, including Kyrgyz high school students and graduates, and university students. The INI’s member universities organized lectures, master classes, and exhibition booths reflecting the main AML/CFT curriculums.
Chairman of the State Financial Intelligence Service Mr. Kanat Asangulov, Rector of KNU Mr. Tolobek Abdyrakhmanov, First Deputy General Director of ITMCFM Mr. Oleg Ivanov, and Prof. Mukash Israilov from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, welcomed the guests at the opening ceremony.
Mr. Kanat Asangulov emphasized the significance of such exhibitions for the national AML/CFT system, as well as for university students and applicants. Such events expose students to the financial intelligence activities, increasing their financial literacy and financial security expertise.
Mr. Oleg Ivanov stressed the comprehensive nature of AML/CFT expert training at the International Network AML/CFT Institute member universities. “A modern financial intelligence officer should be skilled not just in financial security, but also in information technology, legislation, and international relations.”
Throughout the day, the students took part in events organized by INI member universities, the SFIS Training Center, and ITMCFM. ITMCFM experts hosted financial investigative competitions based on the Graphus Training System. Teamwork, as participants in Graphus events have often stated, is extremely motivating for young financial intelligence officers, as they want to uncover all suspicious items and connections and so solve a financial crime faster than their opponents.
The exhibition participants had the opportunity to learn about the experience of participating in the International Financial Security Olympiad from the 2022 and 2023 awardees, as well as about career prospects and demand for graduates in the financial security labor market, through lectures and master classes. They also learned about the green economy and the kinds of financial intelligence they could develop.
An ITMCFM representative gave a talk to the students about what AML/CFT officers do and how engaging and popular this work is in today’s society.
