Month: July 2022

Narxoz University has been accredited by FIBAA – the leading international agency for the quality and expertise of higher education, and its diplomas are now recognised by universities and employers in Europe.

Narxoz University President Miras Daulenov told why this is beneficial for students and graduates

Miras Mukhtarovich, tell us why Narxoz applied for FIBAA accreditation?

– Education and science have long gone beyond the borders of one country. It is impossible to develop education and conduct research in an isolated system. After all, many university graduates go abroad to continue their studies, and there are those who go to Europe looking for a job.

Assessment of the compliance of universities with European standards is carried out by accreditation bodies included in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) and other recognised organisations. In addition to being a member of EQAR, FIBAA is also a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA).

FIBAA accreditation is the recognition of Narxoz University diplomas by universities and employers in Europe. However, FIBAA accreditation is also recognised in the US and China.

How difficult is the process of accreditation?

– Narxoz applied for two types of accreditation at once: institutional and programme ones. Usually, universities first undergo programme accreditation and only then apply for institutional accreditation. From the very beginning, we were convinced that improvement of the quality of educational programmes is impossible without the institutional development of the university. Unlike programme accreditation, institutional accreditation evaluates the university’s strategy, financial position, quality assurance system, and transparency of the university’s procedures. As FIBAA itself states, institutional accreditation means a “comprehensive assessment” of a university. From my own experience, I can say that in practice it is much more difficult to pass institutional accreditation than programme accreditation. This is probably why only a few universities applied for FIBAA institutional accreditation, and not many received it.

Narxoz has received unconditional FIBAA institutional accreditation – this is the highest rating that universities in Europe can receive!

FIBAA has also accredited our programmes, which include Accounting and Audit (BA, MA, PhD), Management (BA), Marketing (BA), Applied Finance (MA) and Law (BA).

The complexity of FIBAA accreditation is also that it is the first international agency in Europe created by employers in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Employers evaluate universities in terms of the quality of training of graduates. To this end, the FIBAA commission members included leading European employers. In general, Narxoz was evaluated by independent experts selected by FIBAA according to a strict system of subject criteria.

The accreditation procedure itself began last summer. After that, we carried out a deep analysis of our academic and corporate processes with their adjustment, revised the content of our programmes, and adopted changes to the strategy. In this matter, all the governing bodies worked harmoniously. The academic council reviewed programme issues, the management board dealt with operational tasks and budget execution, and the board of directors adopted changes to the strategy.

All this led to the preparation of reports that were sent to FIBAA, and after that, a series of interviews of FIBAA experts with our employees, students, alumni and employers took place.

Unlike other accreditations, FIBAA is an evidence-based accreditation. Therefore, we had to constantly prove everything that we stated in the reports, in the strategy. As you know, one of the main features of the German character is “order”, in German – Ordnung. Therefore, during the interview, FIBAA experts double-checked everything that we showed in the reports.

Not so long ago, Narxoz opened the doors of its new campus. Has the infrastructure of the university been assessed by FIBAA experts?

– Of course. Comfort in learning has become one of the standards for the quality of education. Our new campus has a library that meets international standards: it is an open access library that uses the classification of the Library of Congress. The library is subscribed to key international full-text databases and, most importantly, works 24/7.

On the new campus, students also have access to 112 classrooms equipped with modern educational and multimedia equipment, 26 IT laboratories, an English court-style courtroom, open spaces where students can prepare for classes or spend their free time. Open-space working areas are available for lecturers.

Narxoz received high marks in Europe. What is the main message of this event for our society?

– The main message is that European level education is now available in Kazakhstan. Previously, to get an education of European quality, it was necessary to travel abroad, but now education that meets European standards can be obtained at Narxoz.

From this year, we have also started issuing European Diploma Supplements to all graduates. Obtaining FIBAA accreditation for the Kazakhstani and European labor market means only one thing – the high quality of graduates’ knowledge!

The constant development of technology leads to changes in the expectations of employers in the labor market. How does Narxoz adapt to new trends?

– Before launching an educational programme, we evaluate how capable it is of producing specialists who will be in demand in the labor market. Unless a programme is agreed with employers, it simply will not be launched.

We also offer students Minor programmes, where students can acquire specializations in conjunction with their main programme. The portfolio of Narxoz also includes dual programmes that we opened with The Ritz-Carlton Astana, Rixos Borovoe, EY. This allows our students to be trained at the employer’s.

Narxoz is the only university in the country that issues competency cards to its graduates, which show the level of “soft skills”, in addition to diplomas of its own type.

This year, we launched a graduate upgrading programme, regardless of the year of graduation, which gives students a lifetime guarantee for the quality of education that Narxoz provides.

The most important thing here is that we teach students the ability to learn. Knowledge becomes obsolete, but the ability to find and use information is something that will always come in handy in any field.

Having received FIBAA accreditation, can you say that Narxoz achieved its goal?

– Our goal is to achieve full international recognition of Narxoz by 2025. In this respect, international accreditations are like Michelin stars for a good restaurant, giving it recognition. This year we will apply for FIBAA accreditation for new programmes, for EFMD accreditation. The more “Michelin stars” a university has, the more recognised and prestigious its education becomes.

Source: Forbes.kz

The Jas Leader Akademiiasy Program was launched by Bulat Utemuratov Foundation in 2021 in 50 schools of the Turkestan Region and the city of Shymkent. Approximately 12.5 thousand students of 5-11 grades studied critical thinking, teamwork, public speaking, and argumentative expression throughout the school year. 450 students, who demonstrated high activity and motivation, became participants of the first Jas Leader Forum in Almaty, which was held in two streams and ended on July 17.

While greeting the forum participants, Minister of Education Askhat Aimagambetov noted, “The Jas Leader Akademiiasy Program has given you the tools to develop the skills that are in demand today, to unlock your creative and leadership potential. Now the using of gained knowledge depends on you. We are confident that you will make a great contribution to the establishment of the New Kazakhstan!”

According to student of 11-th grade at School No. 14 in Turkestan, Aiaru Bakytzhankyzy, the leadership program helped her overcome the fear of public speaking: “I’d been attending all the Jas Leader Akademiiasy electives since September at my school. During this time I stopped being afraid to speak and express my opinion, because I have acquired the knowledge of how to prepare properly for the performance. But most importantly, I learned to listen to others, to interact with them. By respecting each other, we find solutions together.”

The Jas Leader Akademiiasy Program solves one of the most important tasks – providing access to up-to-date knowledge in the Kazakh language.

According to Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, a lot of work had been done together with experts to collect and adapt the best foreign practices: “This is the first time we’ve brought international best practices together into one program to be conducted in the native language at schools. When I met the participants of the Forum, I saw their enthusiastic eyes and heard about their successes and victories from them. So we are on the right track and will continue to develop projects aimed at the younger generation of Kazakhstanis.”

Bulat Utemuratov Foundation plans to expand the Program in the Zhambyl and Kyzylorda Regions in the new academic year. Teacher training will begin this month at the 50 selected schools. During the week-long training teachers will be introduced to the Jas Leader Akademiiasy Program and trained in modern educational approaches. 

Source: TengriNews.kz

Kazakhstanis achieve success in the Tennis Europe and ITF Juniors tournaments.

Yet another playing week at the Tennis Europe and ITF Juniors tournaments turned out to be successful for our young tennis players, the press service of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation reports.

In France, at the La Balle Mimosa Loire-Atlantique tournament of the TE series of the first category among players under 14 years old, Kazakhstanis became champions in doubles among boys and girls. Ariana Gogulina and Satima Toregen defeated the third seeded pair of the competition Sofya Khetlerova (Czech Republic) / Sofya Krivoruchka (Ukraine) – 6:3, 7:6 (7:0). Damir Zhalgasbay in a duet with Daniel Tazabekov won a strong-willed victory over Japanese Ren Matsuruma / Rio Tabata with a score of 6:1, 3:6, 10:6.

Another Kazakhstani Ansar Nietkaliyev also became the winner of the doubles tournament. At the competition of the TE series among players under 12 years of the second category in Gdansk (Poland), Ansar, in a duet with American Camelot Carnelo, defeated the local tennis players – Voigt brothers – with a score of 6:2, 2:0 (refusal).

In Georgia, at the tournament of the ITF Juniors series among players under 18, Inkar Dyusebay won another trophy in doubles. In a duet with British Gabby Paskaus, she defeated Ulyana Romanova (Kazakhstan) / Diana Khaidarshina (Russia) – 6:3, 6:4. In singles, Inkar reached the semi-finals.

Source: InformBuro.kz

President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Bulat Utemuratov spoke about the formula of Elena Rybakina’s success at Wimbledon.

– Bulat Zhamitovich, did Elena Rybakina’s excellent performance come as a surprise to you at Wimbledon?

– I am very happy with Elena’s success! She was able to show her bright potential and the highest (best) level of playing in the confrontation with very strong opponents. But it didn’t come as a surprise. Rybakina has been steadily moving towards her best matches and success for a long time: in 2018 she was at the bottom of the second hundred in the world ranking, in 2019 she was already among the top forty, she closed 2020 in the 19th place, in 2021 became the 14th racket of the planet, and this year she was on the 12th line. Such development and movement upward lead sooner or later to legitimate big victories.

– What can you say about Elena’s performance in the final?

– Lena played amazingly, turned the match around, imposed a high pace on her opponent and implemented the game plan. Jabeur fought to the end, and there was a very important game in the third set with the score 3:2, 0:40 on Lena’s serve, where Lena showed real fighting qualities, high concentration and did not allow her opponent to return to the match.

– After the semi-finals, Rybakina emphasised that she was grateful to all the fans for their support – she feels it at every turn. But her special thanks were to you – for coming to London and personally supporting her. Was this a spontaneous decision of yours, or do you always plan to fly and support our players if necessary?

– I always try to watch matches of both our adult players and juniors. Both team and individual performances. Given the large number of matches a year, it’s not always possible to watch everything personally and somewhere I track the results by score, discuss with personal coaches, but at large tournaments, such as Masters and Grand Slams, I am caught up to the maximum, I take great satisfaction in personal communication with players, attendance at training sessions, discussion of issues that concern them. In case of success, I try to come and personally support. When Yaroslava Shvedova, Yulia Putintseva and our other players played important matches, I was there. It was on this Centre Court of Wimbledon that the anthem of Kazakhstan was played and the flag of the country was raised when Yaroslava and Vanya King won the GS in pairs. Last year I was at the finals of the men’s doubles tournament “Roland Garros”, where our Alexander Bublik and Andrey Golubev performed. This time too, immediately after the quarterfinals where Elena played, I decided to personally support her. It’s a special feeling to be on the Centre Court at Wimbledon in the players’ box, to be able to actively cheer on and encourage the player, which is usually not allowed in the Presidential or Royal boxes. Emotions are simply indescribable.

– What became the key to Rybakina’s successful game at Wimbledon in terms of tennis?

– Elena has been playing great during these two weeks: a powerful serve, a right hand, a stable left hand and moving around the court. Of course, there was great excitement and psychological pressure that she was able to overcome. It is very good that Lena has established a close relationship with the public, her excellent knowledge of English, her activity at press conferences and interviews greatly contribute to her popularity and support from fans.

– But Wimbledon grass court is very specific. Many, even the great players of the past and present, have never been able to achieve anything here in their entire careers.

– Elena is an all-around player. She showed her best results at the Grand Slam tournaments and at the Olympics in 2021 on completely different surfaces: on clay in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, on grass here at Wimbledon and reaching the match for the bronze medal in Olympic Tokyo on hard. The oldest and most prestigious tournament in the world would not be so special if everything was simple – Elena also had no ordinary matches now, despite the fact that she ended them mainly in two games. At the start, a difficult victory over American Coco Vandeweghe 7:6, 7:5. Then difficult games with Canadian Bianca Andreescu – 6:4, 7:6, Chinese Zheng Qinwen – 7:6, 7:5, Croatian Petra Martic 7:5, 6:3. Despite the fact that the quarterfinal against the Australian Ajla Tomljanovic turned out to be three sets, it showed that Elena could fight for the title, and the semifinal with Romanian Simona Halep confirmed this.

– The successful performance of Rybakina attracted the attention of absolutely the entire country. Even the President of the Republic, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, congratulated her on her victory at Wimbledon.

 – The head of our state is a person who understands and loves sports, who unfailingly follows the main events in it. He not only understands tennis, but also plays both court tennis and table tennis. You may have seen that recently Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich played table tennis with Turkish President Erdogan. The President of Kazakhstan knows perfectly well that behind the success of every athlete lies a lot of hard work and years of life. Of course, both Elena and the entire tennis community of Kazakhstan were very pleased that the head of the country did not pass by and noted the success of our tennis player, congratulating her on her victory.

– As the President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, what do you feel now after the success of Rybakina?

– This is a clear example of how the years of hard work of an athlete, her team, the support of her parents converted into success on the court. Endless flights between tournaments, sleepless nights, many hours of training, hardships in everyday life of a tennis player have paid off. Lena’s strength is also her high intellectual level, hard work and the presence of a strong team around her, including her tennis, physical training and physio coaches, who do everything necessary to bring her into the maximum athletic condition. The Federation created the basic conditions, but behind the victories lies the daily personal work of Lena and her team. It is all this that I have listed that eventually raises the flag of our country at the most prestigious world competitions.

– But Rybakina even wanted to end her career at one time, didn’t she?

– Yes, there was such a period on Elena’s tennis path at the age of 18. But we saw her talent straight off and are very glad that we were able to support her at the right moment, when she really stood on the verge of leaving big-time sports. On our part, the right decision was made – Elena managed to reveal her true champion potential. The support rendered by our Federation at the most important turning point in her sports and human life turned out to be effective, and we are glad that we were able to give her the opportunity to fulfill her potential. With the same systematic career development, Elena has many more bright victories ahead.

Source: InformBuro.kz

The Green Schools Project, within the framework of which the year-round greenhouses will be built in 20 secondary schools, has been presented in the capital city. The first greenhouse was presented today to the Nur-Sultan city Akimat. The Project being implemented by Bulat Utemuratov Foundation is aimed to develop eco-education and careful attitude toward nature. It has successfully proven itself in Almaty schools, where the project participants harvested a total of 1.26 tons over the last school year. The capital city schoolchildren will join the initiative this school year.

Construction of the year-round greenhouses under the Project has been already started in 20 schools of Nur-Sultan. All greenhouses will be made of a strong galvanized steel frame and covered with cellular polycarbonate. An automatic drip irrigation system will be installed to ensure the required level of humidity. The infrared heaters are installed to maintain heat, and in winter, the energy-saving water heating system, working on the principle of the home batteries and installed along the garden-beds, will also turn on. Heating will be turned on and off automatically by the thermostatic controller and temperature sensors.

“This is a very important joint ecological and social project for us, that helps to educate the future generation to be hardworking and environmentally educated. On behalf of the Mayor’s Office of the capital, we express our gratitude to Bulat Utemuratov Foundation and all those involved in the construction of 20 greenhouses in the capital’s schools,” said Eset Baiken, Deputy akim of Nur-Sultan.

“The Green Schools project is a year-round project. I am sure that it will have a great influence on understanding environmental problems and fostering diligence. Every student of the school will see for himself how the plant grows, how to take care of it. And these are useful skills for the future,” said Gulmira Karimova, Chairman of the Committee of Pre-School and Secondary Education of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

The Green Schools Project in the capital city is the second similar project in the country, earlier Almaty schoolchildren could estimate the advantages of the school greenhouses. In 16 schools 2-3 harvests were gathered for a total weight of 1.26 tons. The most popular crops were the cucumbers, there were 425 kg of the cucumbers, 255 kg of tomatoes, 113 kg of sweet pepper and 166 kg of fresh herbs gathered.  The pupils also grow strawberry, broccoli and beets, which go straight from the garden-bed to the school canteen and then to the children’s table. Understanding that delicious fresh salads for lunch are the result of their own work motivates the schoolchildren even more not to miss the classes in the greenhouse. 

“This is one of my favorite projects, we have built 16 greenhouses in Almaty and schoolchildren have harvested more than a ton of vegetables over the past year.  One of the most important goals of this project is the introduction to work. As a medic, it is very important to me that the Green Schools project is related to health. After all, health is a healthy diet and it depends on how much we eat vegetables and fruits,” Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, shared.

Besides construction of the greenhouses, Bulat Utemuratov Foundation and invited experts have developed the guidance manuals for the schoolchildren and teachers. Experienced agronomists, who have become the greenhouse coordinators, control compliance with the recommendations. 

The Green School Project is not limited to the classes in the greenhouse. For example, additional master classes were organized for the schoolchildren on waste sorting and recycling, and a competition was launched among the schools to collect wastepaper in Almaty. Through the joint efforts of the teachers, schoolchildren and their parents, about 14 tons of wastepaper were collected and sent for recycling. Similar events will be held in the capital city schools to encourage teenagers to adopt environmentally friendly lifestyle and develop their responsibility and decision-making skills.

Source: Newtimes.kz