The document analyzes the hyperlink networks of university websites in Central Asia to examine communication strategies and regional trends. It finds that Uzbek universities are more likely to link to government sites, while Kazakh universities have dense intra-university networks. Kyrgyz networks have more diverse sources. International universities link more between countries than domestic universities. Regional universities link predominantly within their state. Certain categories like humanities exhibit more interstate communication. Increasing sample sizes could provide more definitive trends.

1. Linked Networks of
Central Asian University
Websites
examining communities and trends in data

2. Establishing Community and
Authority
• Hyperlinks and citation share a high degree of similarity
• The university website serves as the hub for the affiliated
community
Internet Usage 1999-2011 for Former Soviet Central Asian Republics
As Percent of Population

3. The Question(s)
 University websites serve as the online representation of the
institution. Website content conforms with institution policy,
which reflects state education policy
 Do the hyperlink networks of Central Asian universities reveal
differing communication strategies or variations in audience
between international and state-operated universities?
 Do university hyperlink networks offer evidence of regional
trends or suggest differences in perception between states or
disciplines

4. Sample Set
 24 Universities
 State University (largest institution in country)
 Foreign Funded (International) Institutions
 Technical and Specialty University
 Regional University
 Arts/Humanities University
 Medical University
 Control Cases
 National University
 Economic University
 Foreign Funded (International) University

5. Sample Set Kazakhstan
• Kazakhstan National University
Uzbekistan
(KAZNU)
 National University of Uzbekistan (NUU) • Astana Humanities and Law
 National Conservatory of Uzbekistan (KAZGUU)
Andijion City University (ADU) • South Kazakhstan State (UKGU)
 Karakalpak State University (KARSU) • East Kazakhstan State (VKGU)
 Uzbek Information and Technology • Pedagological University
University (KAZNPU)
• Economics University (KAZEU)
 Economics Institute (TFI)
 Islam University (TIU): International
• Westminster University (WIUT)
Kyrgyzstan • Kazakhstan-British Technical
University
 National University of Kyrgyzstan
• Kazak-Turkish University
 Bishkek Humanities University (BHU): (Turkistsan)
 Osh State (OSU): • University of Central Asia in
 Economic University (KEU): multiple states
 State Technical University (KSTU): • American University of Central Asia
(AUCA)
• Manas Turkish University (Manas)

6. Network Analysis
Web Environment Networks
 50 Domains weighted, inDegree to University
 Network Density, National TLD Representation

7. Results – Network Analysis
Inductive Categories as % of Network (averages)
Social Network Academic Programming/Misc Networks Website
Organization News
Economics 10.7% 64.7% 16.0% 8.0% 0.7%
Humanities 26.0% 32.7% 34.0% 6.0% 1.3%
National 15.3% 28.0% 33.3% 16.7% 6.7%
Regional 11.3% 65.3% 14.7% 5.3% 3.3%

8. Testing for Statistical Significance
Unpaired T-Test Using International Universities As Control (P Values)
Social Network Academic Programming/Misc Organization News Website
Kyrgyzstan 0.9749 0.8173 0.4861 0.5634 0.7596
Kazkahstan 0.6222 0.4583 0.6907 0.0809 0.135
Uzbekistan 1 0.3660 0.258 0.2865 0.4032
Social Network Academic Programming/Misc Organization News Website
Economics 0.1917 0.293 0.5757 0.6468 0.2685
Humanities 0.9322 0.5537 0.205 0.3506 0.3064
National 0.0051 0.3057 0.1107 0.5036 0.7442
Regional 0.1876 0.2309 0.533 0.2616 0.3064

9. Network Data - Other Statistics
 National Network Density National % National TLD
 Kazakhstan 75.13% • Kazakhstan 68.5%
 Uzbekistan 60.16% • Uzbekistan 65.3%
• Kyrgyzstan 43.6%
 Kyrgyzstan 47.04%
• International 40.7%
 Category Network Density Category % National TLD
 Regional 81.8% • Regional 82.0%
 Economics 68.6% • Economics 55.3%
 National 58.0% • National 47.3%
 Humanities 28.6% • Humanities 46.0%

11. Kazakhstan
National
University

12. Results – Network Analysis
Interlink Network

13. Suggestions From Analysis
 Are State Education Policies Present in Link Data?
 While apparent in website content, policies are not
explicitly displayed through link data.
 Observable difference in Uzbek university
communication versus Kazakh and Kyrgyz networks
 Do International University Communication Strategies Differ
from those of Central Asian Universities?
 Based on the inductive categories there is only minimal
statistical difference in communication strategy based on
national affiliation of the institution
 There

14. What trends are apparent?
 Uzbek Universities
 More likely to be referenced on Uzbek government
institution websites .
 Academic institutions cite Uzbek institutions less
frequently.
 Kazakh Universities
 More likely to be referenced to by Kazakh academic
institutions
 High density suggests a close network among institutions
 Kyrgyz Universities
 Low density among websites citing Kyrgyz university
indicates more diverse sources referencing universities
in the state

15. Regional Trends
 International institutions link to Central Asian universities more
frequently than institutions from other Central Asian states.
 Communication strategies for academic institutions in each
state exhibit a hierarchical linking structure
 Regional institutions link predominantly with
intrastate entities
 International Universities linking networks indicate
their position as a bridge between international and
national communities
 Certain university categories exhibit more interstate
communication than others (humanities)

16. Further Research
 To confirm or disprove statistical significance across
categories, sample size should be increased
 A control group of universities from outside of the region
should be included
 More investigation into the communication strategies of
medical universities, and other university categories