ONLINE ROUNDTABLE WITH US SCHOLARS

An online roundtable titled «Trends and Prospects for the Development of the 'Bolashak' Program: Past-Present-Future» was held. The event was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA Y. Ashikbayev, Consul General in Washington D.C. Zh. Orynbay, Consul General in New York R. Yesbolatova, Consul General in San Francisco M. Ibraev, Chairwoman of the Board of the Center for International Programs A. Ospanova, and scholarship recipients studying in the USA. The session was moderated by R. Sakeev, the representative of JSC «Center for International Programs» in the USA.

Opening the event, Kazakhstan's Ambassador to the USA Yerzhan Ashikbayev highlighted the contribution of the «Bolashak» international scholarship to the development of science and education not only in Kazakhstan but also in foreign countries. The scholarship has become an educational hub where the education of Kazakh students at prestigious global universities enhances the quality of education in Kazakhstan and expands academic connections. The program also stimulates the attraction of foreign students and scientists to Kazakhstan.

Chairwoman of the Board of CIP Aliya Ospanova spoke about the transformation of the «Bolashak» program, the creation of a digital platform, and issues related to the employment of scholarship recipients after graduation. Special attention was given to the promotion of Kazakh culture and language in the USA. «Currently, we, together with the CIP team, are undergoing the process of transforming 'Bolashak'. A development strategy for the scholarship for 2024-2026 has been developed, the process of signing contracts for internships has been digitized, and several memorandums with strategic partners have been signed. The list of specialties for training in 2024 has been formed taking into account the applications of government agencies. During meetings, each government agency was provided with a list of scholarship recipients by specialty, who will complete their studies and return to Kazakhstan in the near future for future employment», noted A. Ospanova.

Scholarship recipients studying in the USA presented their projects and research, and plans to create a scientific platform for the exchange of experiences between scholars and scientists. They also raised several questions about increasing the scholarship.