American University of Central Asia and Mina Corp Announce New Pre-University Academy

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 9, 2011 -

The American University of Central Asia (AUCA)
today signed an agreement with Mina Corp to create "The New Generation
Academy" at AUCA.

The Academy will offer an innovative one-year "bridging"
program to talented high school graduates from across the Kyrgyz Republic who
do not have the means to afford high quality private education. The Academy
will begin teaching in September 2012.

Mina Corp's initial funding of $2.5m will cover tuition and
accommodation expenses for 70 students per year over a four-year period. It
will also pay for 15 full scholarships, including room and board, for the
Academy's most able graduates in both 2013 and 2014 to study for a four-year
degree at AUCA. The Academy is expected to admit seven to eight students from
each region of the country and a similar number additionally from Osh and
Bishkek.

Students will be selected by an independent commission on the
basis of merit and financial need. They will complete a one year rigorous
course of study in English, Kyrgyz, Russian, Maths, History and Science
oriented toward developing critical thinking. Building on AUCA's experience
of running its existing Preparatory Program, the Academy will provide
students with a foundation to access quality university education.

The establishment of the Academy marks an important step
forward in developing the capabilities of a new generation of gifted and
deserving high school students throughout the Kyrgyz Republic. It will also
contribute to the integration in the country by bringing together students of
a formative age from all its regions.

Commenting on the signing of the agreement with Mina Corp, the
President of AUCA, Andrew Wachtel said: "The high-school system in
Kyrgyzstan, especially outside of Bishkek, suffers from serious resource
challenges and has a hard time producing students with the level of
preparation needed to enter a top university like AUCA. We're extremely happy
that Mina Corp has chosen to focus on this area and has agreed to provide the
funding to allow any talented child in Kyrgyzstan to have the possibility of
receiving the best university education available. AUCA's fair and
transparent selection system will ensure that talented and deserving students
enter the Academy."

Mina Corp's CEO, Denis Grigoriev said: "We're delighted to be
starting this partnership with AUCA. We see the need to develop in Kyrgyzstan
a new generation of leaders who have benefited from the life-transforming
experience of quality teaching at university. We're sure that this project
can make a real and lasting contribution to Kyrgyzstan's development. AUCA is
one of the country's top universities with a well established track record of
delivering world-class education."

Notes to editors:

Located in the heart of Central Asia, AUCA is a unique
international, multi-disciplinary learning community in the American liberal
arts tradition that develops enlightened and impassioned leaders for the
democratic transformation of the region. AUCA is the first and only
university in Central Asia with the authority to award liberal arts degrees
that are accredited in the United States. With an enrollment of approximately
1,200 students from 19 countries, AUCA offers eleven undergraduate,
bachelor-level educational programs and a graduate-level masters of business
administration (MBA) degree. Since its establishment, AUCA has been committed
to academic excellence and the spirit of innovation.

Mina Corp is part of an international group of companies
headquartered in Dubai with trading operations on several continents. The
company currently holds a U.S. Department of Defense contract to supply jet
fuel to the Manas Transit Center.

Media enquiries:

AUCA - pubrel@mail.auca.kg

Mina Corp - press@minacorp.com

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