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PROSPECTS AND REALIA OF ESTABLISHING INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITIES IN KAZAKHSTAN
S.Lukashova , Y. Omirzhanov, Y.Chongarov Suleyman Demirel University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University [email protected]
Nowadays, Kazakhstan has more than ten international and joint education institutions. They are all run aligned with the Kazakh education standards and under the control of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan.
Keywords : H.A. Yesevi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Kazakh-American Free
University, Kazakh-German University, Kazakh-British Technical University, Suleyman Demirel University.
Kazakhstan is one of the democratic countries paying more attention to providing opportunities for the development and realization of its citizens’ intellectual potential. Free secondary education in public education institutions is guaranteed for all citizens in compliance with Article 30 of the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. All citizens are entitled to free higher education on a competetive basis in public higher education institutions, where as getting a paid education in private education institutions is carried out within the fixed law.
Focusing on the advanced world analogues, Kazakhstan has built its own educational system since independence. The entire educational system has been reformed, embeded new standards of education, established paid along with public educational institutions for twenty three years. These innovations have also affected the higher education sector, over the years, many former state-owned higher education institutions have turned into profit higher education institutions, there have emerged a number of different types of universities and a lot of private higher educational colleges. Profession oriented higher education curricula are implemented in higher education ,which is reflected in Article 35, paragraph 2, the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 27, 2007. The major types of higher education institutions are the national research university, national institution of higher education, research university, university, academy, institute and akin to them (conservatory, high school, and teaching and education institutions).
Establishing the international and foreign educational institutions or their affiliated (member) universities in Kazakhstan are carried out in compliance with Article 65, paragraph 4, of the Law "On Education", on the basis of international treaties or under the Decrees of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Assigning authorized status as an international school is implemented by determined Decrees of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Due to the new objectives set by the education system, in such policy papers as the "Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2014-2018 years" from December 15, 2014, "State Program for the Development of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2011 - 2020" from December 7, 2010, and Address of the President to the nation of Kazakhstan "Nurly Zhol - the Path to the Future" from November 11 , 2014, over the upcoming years in the system of higher and postgraduate education the main objective of the project is reaching the quality of higher education, contributing to the innovative development of the economy and ensure training the competitive staff.
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For reaching this target, the government allocates huge resources, for example, 10 universities were defined within the framework of the industrialization programme which are based on the link of science with economic sectors. The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan allocating up to 10 billion tenge to these purposes by 2017, personally ordered to form the material and technical framework of these education institutions. Currently, all universities of the country are focused on training the competitive staff, each education institution is committed to improve the quality of training the future specialists by using its own way. In this framework especially international universities are distinguished by training staff with the knowledge of several languages. Today, some of the international universities have gained popularity among the population and are considered as the leading universities of the country. Some of them are focused below.
One of the first international universities established in Kazakhstan was H.A.Yesevi International Kazakh-Turkish University. On the 1st of May, 1992 at the meeting of the Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev with the Turkish Prime Minister Suleyman Demirel Turkestan University was awarded the status of "International university". In October 31, 1992 in Ankara Kazakhstan and Turkey endorsed the law "to establish International Kazakh - Turkish University in Turkestan ". This agreement was realized in 1993 , the official year of university establishment. In the early years there were only 332 students, but nowadays the University is serving approximately 30,000 students in Kazakh, Turkish, Russian and English languages in 75 specialities of a bachelor programme , 20 master's and doctoral specialties . Under the university's charter, the rector of the university is appointed by the Higher Educational Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the first vice rector is appointed by the Higher Educational Council of the Republic of Turkey.-1 Half of the Board of Trustees are appointed by each country, and Turkey appoints the Head of the Board.
AHMET YESEVf UNIVERSITY
UK 1R EN РУ
THE U NIVERSITY FOR APPLICANTS EDUCATIONAL PROCESS SCI ENCE RESOURCES
For students Forstaff For applicants For parents
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Training and language Natural science
Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) is a private university of international partnership. President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev participated in the inauguration ceremony and awarded first graduates their diplomas. President Nazarbayev is the first honorary professor of the university. US citizens are in university’s administration: Marshall Christensen -Head of KAFU's Board of Guardians, Daniel Ballast - Vice-President for International Programs and Partnership. In 2014 university celebrated its 20th anniversary. The university was certified by the Ministry of Education and Science three times. Six majors of the university have international accreditation by the ACBSP organization, USA. University's main priority is training students not only knowing their majors, but also speaking English and working with computer technologies. University model includes two programs: American and Kazakh. Within the American Program the University trains undergraduate and graduate students on management, law, information systems, and
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foreign languages, with the support of KAFU's Board of Guardians and «Co-Serve International», USA. They invest $ 300 000 in educational programs and physical and social infrastructure of the university annually. Students are educated in English. Professors from America, Canada, Europe and Australia take active part in educational process. About 40 foreign teachers come to teach to KAFU. Over 200 undergraduate and graduate students underwent professional internship in the American leading companies, banks and exchange («INTEL», «NIKE», «LEXUS» etc.).
Kazakh-German University (KGU) was founded in 1999 by the private initiative with the aim of training in the German standard. KGU is the only German institution in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. In 2004, it passed the certification of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan and the certification of the German Academic Exchange Service, which confirms the high quality of education in KGU. In the same year the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan granted a special permission to study the German training programs. In 2007, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, which provides intensive support for the university from both countries. The best students are able to get both Kazakh and German diploma to be recognized in Kazakhstan as well as in Germany and Europe. A mandatory condition for obtaining the German diploma is a 2-semester study in the German partner institution.
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Welcome to German-Kazakh University!
German-Kazakh University (GKU) is an international university in Almaty, whose quality of education is following German academic standards. German Academic Exchange Service fDAAD} and German partner universities support GKU by introducing and adapting innovative German courses of study in Kazakhstan. By that GKU combines the variety of Kazakh and German educational elements in the heart ef Almaty. GKU offers a high-quality education for students, who [ike to prepare themselves for a successful career in Economics. Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business Sciences and Social Sciences. The Kazakh economy experiences an acute shortage of specialists and employees with solid knowledge of foreign languages GKU trains experts who not only propel the development of Kazakhstan, but are most promising at the international labour-market as well. German language is not compulsory for applicants. Languages of instruction are Russian and German in Bachelor programs and Russian and English in Master's programs. A Flying Faculty of about 20 lecturers and scholars from Germany are holding their lectures at German-Kazakh University every year.
Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) was established by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated August 3, 2001 № 1027, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the British Council. The Kazakh founder side is the Government of Kazakhstan, the authorized body - the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The University’s establishment is actively contributed by the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Finance, the Agency for Strategic Planning, Kazakhstan Embassy in London, and Nursultan Nazarbayev Education Foundation. The four of these departments are represented on the Board of Directors of the University. KBTU became partners with British Embassy in Kazakhstan and its main representative - British Council. Educational and related advisory services are provided by: University of Aberdeen and the Robert Gordon University
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(Aberdeen); Heriot-Watt University (Edinburgh) and the University of Westminster (London).These universities have an in-depth study of the "Oil and Gas fishing" and "Business Management". Moreover, they have a leading position in the education market of the Oil and Gas industry worldwide.
It is worthwhile to elaborate on the International University, which is going to celebrate the 20th anniversary of successful operation in the global space of higher education in Kazakhstan. Suleyman Demirel University (SDU) was established in December, 12, 1996 in accordance with the Government of Kazakhstan with participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and former president of the Republic of Turkey, Suleyman Demirel. State management body is the Ministry of Education and Science. The highest governing body - Founder is International Foundation «KATEV». Executive member of SDU is Rector Prof. Mesut Akgul.
On the initiative of the International Foundation KATEV it was planned to build 140,000 square meters on the campus (14 ha). On the eve of the 20th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 40,000 sq.m were commissioned. The 2011-2012 academic year started in a new modern building «Smart Campus», in Kaskelen, Almaty region. It is planned to complete construction of the project by 2018. Upon completion of construction on the campus, 8 faculties, designed for 7,000 students, will operate. The project for the construction of the campus include: administration, conference room, auditoriums, research centers, house of students with 2,400 beds, an outpatient clinic for students and staff, a dining room, an indoor stadium, a tennis court, and a residential complex for the teaching staff and kindergarten.
The university seeks to become a leading institution of higher education of the country, worthy of representing the national high school in the global academic, intellectual, scientific, and business space providing students a competitive education and skills in computer and mathematical sciences, philological, legal, economic and business areas, international relations, conducting qualitative research for the benefit of the national economy of Kazakhstan and relevant to modern trends of development of mankind and the world community. University is based on its best traditions, accumulated over the years.
The university has a mission - training highly skilled and competitive specialists through the provision of multi-level innovative education that meets international standards of quality, contributing to the strengthening of friendship and fraternity of the Kazakh and Turkish people, developing and strengthening the philosophy of mutual cooperation, sharing responsibility, and care for the past and focusing on the future, by making a contribution to the development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, based on common humanistic conception of the world.
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SDU aims to achieve an international recognition by becoming one of the top 10 universities of Kazakhstan among multidisciplinary universities, among the 5000 world rankings and the top 500 International rating- QS. The main competitors of SDU in the educational market are Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Gumilev Eurasian National University; Kazakh-British University; International University of Information Technology; KIMEP. The main advantages of SDU among its competitors are as follows: the implementation of a continuous training system levels: Baccalaureate-Magistracy- Doctorate in English; Specialized orientation training; implementation of the principle of access to education; Financial independence; highly qualified personnel, including well-known scientists in the field of economic, technical, physical and mathematical, philological and legal science.
In accordance with the state license from 03.02.2010, the right to conduct educational activities in the field of higher and postgraduate education is issued by the Committee for Control of Education and Science of the MES RK. SDU provides training for 18 undergraduate majors, seven master's degree programs and 5 doctoral programs. The university has students of many nationalities, as well as students from Turkey, China, Mongolia, Spain, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan. The teaching staff is brought by experts from Turkey, England, India, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, Canada, Switzerland, the United States, as well as highly qualified specialists from Kazakhstan.
SDU actively cooperates with 75 foreign and Kazakhstani universities in the program of internal and external academic mobility. Unique educational courses in high school is the inclusion of modules beyond qualification, which provides a real opportunity to learn more, allowing future experts to expand the range of activities. For example, Turkish language is a compulsory component and enables students to undergo practical training in Turkish banks of the second level, study academic mobility programs in Turkey.
In order to improve the quality of education , students are provided with the double-diploma program. Students of the University within one EP are offered multiple educational programs of foreign universities. Memorandum of cooperation with foreign universities, such as the Vistula University (Poland), University of Ataturk (Turkey), Fatih University (Turkey), University of Kastamonu (Turkey), University of Birmingham (UK); North American College (USA) and others are also signed. At the moment, the University presents two diploma programs between SDU and Leeds Metropolitan University (England) in Economics (3 + 1), it is three years in SDU and one year at Leeds Metropolitan. There is a contract for the provision of educational services for the doctoral program between SDU and Kebang San (Malaysia) in engineering and economics (2 +2).
SDU participated in the overall ranking of higher education institutions of Kazakhstan, organized by IQAA and NAARU. In this ranking of Kazakhstani universities, which took part in this event, SDU takes the 16th place in the whole Republic. In 2014, SDU participated in the ranking of educational programs of universities of Kazakhstan and entered the "Top 10" universities competency of graduates, according to employers, preparing the most competitive professionals as well as paying attention to the quality of knowledge, the development of initiative, creativity and communication skills of students.
Currently, SDU has the obligation to perform research work in the framework of the state order for the budget program "Scientific and / or scientific and technical activity", the sub-program "Grant funding for research"; priority - the intellectual potential of the country in the 2015-2017, on the themes: 1) "The mechanism of reduction of the informal labor market and informal employment in the Republic of Kazakhstan"; 2) "Building a pluralist model of society in Kazakhstan"; 3) "Introduction of integrated object-language education in the educational process in the context of a government program "The use and development of languages for 2011-2020 in the Republic of Kazakhstan."
As a result of Sociological survey, the satisfaction level of work performance at the university is quite high. Important criteria were identified: providing each teacher with a comfortable workplace -a personal computer, free Internet access, room (one room for two teachers); free lunches; the voices of teachers in decision-making; democratic nature of the whole system of relations between university staff, including management; organization of kindergarten staff for the children; opening the gym for
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sports; organization of summer recreation for teachers’ children; annual financing of a foreign business trips to attend a conference with the report. According to the Regulation "On the scientific fee for works published by faculty", University encourages publishing of various works in various publications with a pay range from 100 to 1000 dollars, depending on the publication. For example, the total remuneration of 36 employees in 2013 was 11,244 US dollars. Currently, the research work of the University in accordance with the approved plan of research for 2010-2015 is held on 42 research projects covering the solution of economic, technical and technological, social, educational, legal and other challenges. Of these, 14 are fundamental, 8 - applied and 4 - experimental design, 4- Economic agreement projects. The effectiveness of foreign trips of the teaching staff is not only a professional development of teachers, but also the ability to share their experience at the level of the department, faculty and university, develop new courses, and enhance research interests of teachers to ensure the quality of taught disciplines.
According to the results of another poll by the 1st year students of SDU, the university is chosen for a positive recommendation, quality of teaching, positive / friendly climate, location of the university, reasonable pricing policy. One of the most outstanding reasons for choosing SDU is the lack of corruption. The main work on the development of social and public life of the students is held by student clubs, 25 student organizations, so-called clubs, which also attract entrants.
Employment of graduates and further support is held by the Division of public relations and career. During the 2014, 366 people appealed to the center, 272 of whom were employed, accounting for 73% of the number of applicants. The department carries out the responsibility to provide students with practice and internships in companies that are partners of SDU. The list of companies is regularly updated and supplemented, for example, in 2014 ,30 companies provided the place of practice and internships for students. In 2014, the university opened the Alumni Association of SDU, the president and 10 members of the board of trustees were appointed.
We believe that the model of " Suleyman Demirel University "as an international private university can be used to create other international universities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Within the context of abovementioned, the creation and activity of any international universities have specific benefits, preferences, and prospects for the development. In our opinion, the extension and growth of international universities will beneficially affect the development of education and science in Kazakhstan.
We have already specified a number of International Higher Education Institutions functioning in Kazakhstan, positively influence educational and scientific atmosphere of the republic. Among them, we have mentioned the following universities: SDU (Suleyman Demirel University), KAFU (Kazakh -American Free University), KBTU (Kazakh -British Technical University), KGU (Kazakh -German University ).
At present time, within a matter of increase and extension of international universities and intensification of the rate of corporate education development the idea of Kazakh-French University’s formation and development has its own significance and perspectives and can present certain benefits.
First of all, French cultural effect on Kazakhstan and all countries of CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) has historical roots. France and its culture, indeed , had a special impact on Russia in the time of Peter the First. In the Soviet era the French authors’ works were very popular. Among them were books of Honore de Balzac, Andre Maurois, Victor Hugo, Stendhal, Marcel Proust and so forth. Within the frame of multilingual education in USSR, three language study (English, French, German) was very popular and actual. French culture, during the Soviet era, in Socialistic states , at present times in CIS countries, and in many other world countries was associated and is associated with such notions as elegance, amenity, honor, dignity, and “special style”. Nowadays France together with other European countries, presents itself as fashion queen state. French language is included in United Nations Organization’s working languages list, and is one of the popular and widely distributed world languages.
In spiritual and material culture of independent Kazakhstan, France and its culture plays a special role. French movies together with Japanese, Korean, Turkish, American are increasingly in
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demand. In Kazakhstan many French restaurants, and the French Cultural Center are on the stream. In Almaty the French House and the small model of Eiffel Tower were built. Along with Italy, Spain, Germany, Turkey, France is one of the common European countries for tourist recreation of Kazakhstani citizens.
Moreover, French language yielding the importance and popularity to Russian and English, together with Chinese, German, Spanish and Arabian languages comes out as one of the gracious and high demand languages in Kazakhstan. There are a lot of young Kazakhstani people willing to master French language. Thousands applicants dream to study in France. French language is studied at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, at Ablaikhan Kazakh University of International Relations and World Religions, at Suleyman Demirel University, and many other higher education institutions have a program of French language study. All abovementioned facts speak about French language popularity in Kazakhstan.In Kazakh National Pedagogical University after Abay, in September 2013, the memorandum of “Sorbonne - Kazakhstan ” institute opening has been signed. This international project, will indubitably increase opportunities of getting exclusive European education for every Kazakhstani citizen and citizens of Central Asian countries. In amendment agreements signed in May 30, 2014, the following questions are considered: specialist training double degree of Master’s Degree program “International dialog in the context of globalization” and “The change management in contemporary world”
Finally, the similarities of some aspects in French and Kazakh grammar and phonetics are very important for the development of Kazakh-French cultures. At this rate, French language study has its own impetus and motivation for Kazakh people. For illustrative purpose, we will demonstrate some occurrences from Kazakh and French grammar and phonetics.
1) In French language, the plural number of nouns is non - readable ;
2) In Kazakh language there is no plural number of nouns after ordinal numeral;
3) In Kazakh language many vowels have their equivalents in French language.
To sum it up so far, we would like to emphasize, that Kazakh-French University opening and formation has its own value and significance. It will definitely assert favorable effect on international education development in Kazakhstan.
We hope, that Kazakh-French university will take its own rightful place among international universities of Kazakhstan, and the world universities too.
References
1. Higher Education of Kazakhstan in the context of Bologne process- scientific-methodical journal. -Almaty, 2014.
2. State Program for the Development of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2011 - 2020. -Astana, 2010.
3. Self-assessment report meeting the standards of institutional accreditation. -SDU, Kaskelen, 2014.
4. Address of the President to the nation of Kazakhstan "Nurly Zhol - the Path to the Future" . -Astana , 2014.
5. http://ksu.edu.kz/files/nauka/materialv konferencii/3/gumanitagnie nauki/ajtmuhambetov a a ardab aeva f zh.pdf
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmet Yesevi University
7. http://www.kafu.kz/en/about.-t.he-university/general-informat.ion.ht.ml
8. http://www.mat.hnet..ni/php/organisation.phtml?option_lang=nis&orgid= 828
9. http://univerlife.kz/kz/university/view/id/15
10. http: //sorbonne .kaznpu.kz/m/3/news/
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