Summary of the Winter School Held at the Faculty of Arts (05-09 January 2026)

From 5 to 9 January 2026, the Faculty of Arts (FA Building No. 2, 64A Sh. Ualikhanov Street, Room 7) organized a Winter School for academic staff and responsible specialists. The sessions were conducted daily from 10:00 to 13:00.

On 5 January, the official opening of the Winter School took place with the participation of Gulnaz Khamidollakyzy, a representative of the Center for Pedagogical Innovations and Action Research, as well as faculty mentors. Participants were introduced to the objectives of the program and the work schedule. On the same day, the methodology and key requirements for completing graduation theses and projects by final-year students of pedagogical programs in the Action Research and Lesson Study formats were presented.

Research mentors:
Abisheva O.T., Kakimova L.Sh., Sultangubiev A.

On 6 January, the work in this area continued. The requirements for structuring diploma projects in a research-based format, collecting evidence-based data, and documenting research findings were clarified. On the same day, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Bayqutov Karim Alimkhanuly, delivered a lecture for academic staff entitled "Design Thinking and Action Research in the Arts." The lecture demonstrated the logic of applying innovative approaches in art education and outlined the practical stages of their implementation. The content of the lecture was closely related to the implementation of the research project IRN AP25796905 - "Modification of Kazakh Mythology and Engraving in Art Education through the Application of Design Thinking."

On 8-9 January, modern approaches and tools for updating the university`s academic processes were examined:

8 January - a content-oriented session on approaches and tools for academic renewal;

9 January - practical sessions involving the application of methods, discussions, and clarification of key issues.

During the practical sessions held on 8-9 January, course syllabi were aligned with the newly approved university format. Course objectives and expected learning outcomes were clarified, thematic plans and assignments were systematized, and assessment policies (criteria, rubrics, and percentage weighting) were specified. In addition, academic integrity requirements and the use of digital tools were defined, and reading lists were updated. The revised syllabi were reviewed at the departmental level and submitted for approval.

Speakers:
Kozhagulov A.T., Ibraeva K.E., Rabilova Z.Zh., Stambekova Zh.K.

Key outcomes of the Winter School included:

standardization of the main requirements for completing graduation theses and projects in the Action Research and Lesson Study formats;

identification of directions for mentoring support for departments and academic supervisors;
discussion of practical proposals for modernizing academic processes and determination of pathways for their implementation.