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Astana, November 30, 2023 — Today, the Forum «BOLASHAK: Strategic Partnership and Cooperation» was held to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bolashak International Program. The event was a focal point for strategic partners of the international scholarship, leading education experts, and representatives from the Center for International Programs JSC.
The forum was attended by ambassadors from 19 countries (including the USA, UK, European Union, etc.), heads of over 50 foreign universities (such as the University of Southern California, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Glasgow, Constructor University, etc.), and representatives from Kazakhstani educational institutions (Astana IT University, Maqsut Narikbayev University, Zhubanov University).
Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Dinara Shcheglova congratulated the staff of the Center for International Programs, alumni, and strategic partners of the Bolashak scholarship on the 30th anniversary, highlighting the program’s contribution to expanding international cooperation and increasing Kazakhstan's human capital.
Chairwoman of the Board of the Center for International Programs, Aliya Ospanova, expressed gratitude to the partners who traveled from around the world.
«Today, we are actively involved in establishing overseas branches in our country and prestigious international universities. The creation of these branches is a testament to our commitment to providing Kazakh students with world-class education. We are not just importing knowledge; we are creating an engaging educational environment that reflects the diversity and richness of the global academic community», - said A. Ospanova.
The forum featured thematic panel sessions discussing current issues in education.
During the first panel session, «Innovations in Educational Technologies and Teaching Methods», international experts discussed digital and traditional learning models. Ingrid Januvilichene, Dean of the Center for International Relations and Research at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, emphasized the importance of preserving traditional teaching methods while implementing a hybrid model that combines electronic and offline methods, providing a balance between convenience and interpersonal interaction.
Speakers at the second panel session, «Sustainable Development Programs and International Research», debated the role of universities as centers for sustainable innovative ideas. Mugur Zloțea from the University of Bucharest highlighted the importance of increasing research accessibility and expanding interaction with the scientific community. The third panel session, «The Role of International Relations and Partnerships in Higher Education Development», featured Adrien Hortobagyi, Chief International Officer at the University of Glasgow, who discussed how participation in international alliances improves the competitiveness of educational institutions, helps establish educational standards, and facilitates the exchange of best practices.
Memorandums of Understanding were signed during the forum between Washington State University (USA) and Zhanibek Khan University, Constructor University (Germany) and Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agro-Technical University, Karaganda Medical University and Erasmus MC (Switzerland), among others.
The forum provided guests with opportunities to engage directly with international experts and representatives of higher education institutions on innovations in education. Specialists from the Center for International Programs also offered consultations on the Bolashak scholarship program.
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