Kyrgyz National University

Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University is a public university, founded according to an agreement between the governments of the Republic of Turkey and the Kyrgyz Republic about establishment of the university in Bishkek, which was signed in Izmir on September 30, 1995.

In 1925, amidst the nascent Kyrgyz Soviet Socialist Republic, a humble seed was sown: the Kyrgyz Institute of Education. This marked the origin of what would become the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, the beating heart of higher education in Kyrgyzstan. Through decades of evolution, KNU has mirrored the nation's own journey.

Early life saw the institute nurturing Kyrgyz teachers, its faculties sprouting like branches - physics and mathematics, biology, literature, and social sciences. In 1932, it blossomed into the Kyrgyz State Pedagogical Institute, named after Mikhail Frunze, reflecting the winds of change. 1951 ushered in a new era, christening the institute as the Kyrgyz State University, its wings broadened with faculties ranging from geology to philology.

The following decades witnessed KNU's steady ascent. It weathered the renaming in 1972 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the USSR and emerged once more in 1993 as the Kyrgyz State National University, reclaiming its national identity. Finally, in 2002, it received its prestigious namesake - Jusup Balasagyn, the legendary Kyrgyz poet and thinker, cementing its role as a cultural and intellectual torchbearer.

Today, KNU stands tall as a testament to Kyrgyz resilience and progress. Renowned for its international collaborations and research prowess, KNU is not just a university; it's a vibrant ecosystem, a stage where knowledge dances with ambition, and the future of Kyrgyzstan takes form.

Kyrgyz National University is ranked as the #6 top university in Kyrgyzstan during 2025. The rank decreased by 2 points from last year.