Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s Jas Leader program develops Kazakhstan’s future leaders
- Jas Leader Akademiiasy initiative continues to develop leadership potential of Kazakhstani schoolchildren
- Plays a critical role in providing the soft skills needed to thrive in an interconnected world
- Foundation’s $5 million investment has supported 36,000 children and 217 teacher-trainers from 124 schools
July 22, 2024 – The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has celebrated the third anniversary of its Jas Leader Akademiiasy program, a key initiative to unlock the leadership potential of Kazakhstani schoolchildren.
Schools in Kazakhstan have traditionally prioritized academic achievement over the development of ‘soft skills’ essential for personal and professional success, a challenge faced by educational systems globally. To bridge this gap and provide the leadership skills that young people need today, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has been running the program in regional schools since 2021 – committing $5 million to train coaches and provide necessary equipment.
Photo Credit: Bulat Utemuratov Foundation
To date, the programme has reached over 36,000 children and 217 teacher-trainers from 124 schools across Kazakhstan, focusing on teaching students from grades 5 to 11 the vital skills of leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, communication, negotiation and emotional intelligence.
The Foundation has seen tangible results from its leadership classes as students have become more confident, thus improving both their competence in public speaking and also their academic performance. Likewise, parents have commented on the positive developments, noting how their children’s confidence has increased, together with engagement in extracurricular activities, making friends and defining new career goals and ambitions.
Photo Credit: Bulat Utemuratov Foundation
The most active and motivated students were subsequently invited to Almaty for the Jas Leader Forum, held in a summer camp format. From July 6 to 16, the summer forum at the Tau Samal sanatorium welcomed over 500 schoolchildren from Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Almaty.
Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, said “This is a critical initiative that benefits Kazakhstan and contributes to a broader global movement, equipping young people with the ability to thrive in an interconnected world. Since launching the program three years ago we have seen so many positive results, and I am incredibly proud of the young people who taken part, developing the skills, confidence and emotional intelligence to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
