Empowering uyghurs through education
Atlan Academy is committed to empowering Uyghurs' English language learning and providing financial support to Uyghur Monitor, a nonprofit journalism organization established in America.
OUR VISION
Empowering Uyghurs
Our vision is to empower every Uyghur to master English for advancement in international society, career, and life, while building a professional Uyghur news organization to amplify Uyghur voices globally. To achieve this dual mission, we're developing Atlan Academy so Uyghurs worldwide can learn English conveniently, anytime and anywhere.
OUR PROMISE
10% Will Be Donated to Uyghur Monitor
Atlan Academy will launch courses in 2026 for both beginner English learners and students at various proficiency levels. Ten percent (10%) of every tuition payment made by Uyghur students to Atlan Academy will be donated to Uyghur Monitor, a nonprofit journalism organization established in America.Our Promise
OUR MISSION
Education
Empowering Uyghurs to master English and develop fluent English language skills.
OUR MISSION
Journalism
Creating sustainable economic resources for Uyghur Monitor to develop as a world-class international news organization that meets contemporary needs.
THE LEGACY
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Founder Kasim Kashgar has dedicated his professional life to two pursuits: English language teaching and journalism.He has been teaching English since 1999, achieving notable success including winning top honors at China's National English Speaking Competition in 2004 and representing Chinese university students at the International University Debate Competition in Australia in 2005. In 2006, he founded the Atlan Language Training Center in Ürümqi, training over 100,000 language learners across eleven years until Chinese authorities shut it down in 2017.Kasim joined Voice of America in Washington, D.C. in 2019, serving as VOA's only dedicated Uyghur journalist until staff reductions in 2025.In 2025, he founded Uyghur Monitor, an independent nonprofit journalism organization bringing Uyghur news to the world.Kasim combines nearly 30 years of language teaching experience and methodology with practical insights from 8 years living and working in America to serve Atlan's dual mission. Through this work, he helps Uyghurs worldwide master English and achieve professional fluency while generating economic support for Uyghur Monitor to successfully launch and sustain quality Uyghur journalism.
Aygul M.
Urumqi, Class of 2013
Studying at Atlan completely changed my life. I went from struggling with English to confidently communicating and even helping others. My life took off after that.
Zubeyde A.
Now in Istanbul
Atlan gave me more than language—it gave me courage. I still remember the day I stood on stage and introduced myself in English for the first time.
Ahmat J.
Now in Canada
We waited years for something like this. Atlan was once our pride. Now, even in exile, it gives us hope again.
Rahile N.
Prospective Student
I was never part of Atlan in Urumqi. But if it’s really coming back, I want to be one of the first to join.
READY TO BEGIN?
History & Present
Atlan was founded in Ürümqi in 2006 and operated under the motto “Language Is Wealth” until 2017, training more than 100,000 Uyghur and other Turkic-language learners. Nearly twenty years later, in 2026, Atlan reopens in the United States with a renewed mission: teaching English to Uyghurs worldwide.
© 2025 Atlan Academy. All rights reserved.