Master`s students of the Faculty of Arts of Abai University completed an international internship in Xi`an

From 17 to 30 November 2025, a delegation of master`s students from the Faculty of Arts of the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University completed an international internship at the Faculty of Arts of Xi`an International Studies University (PRC). The internship was supervised by Professor Liu Wenbin of the Department of Art Education, Faculty of Arts. The purpose of the internship was to develop the research and creative competencies of future specialists, to exchange experience in the field of art education, and to strengthen Kazakh-Chinese academic cooperation.

Upon arrival in Xi`an, the master`s students were accommodated on the university campus, familiarised themselves with the university`s infrastructure and learning environment, and received consultations on everyday and organisational issues, including mobile communication, transport logistics, and adaptation to the urban environment.

The academic and research programme included a welcome meeting at the Chang`an campus, visits to the university museum and campus, as well as a series of academic seminars with the participation of the leadership of Xi`an International Studies University, faculty members, and students from both universities. During the plenary session, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor Li Jie and Professor Liu Wenbin of the Department of Art Education, Faculty of Arts, delivered welcome speeches, emphasising the importance of art education and intercultural dialogue for the youth of Kazakhstan and China.

During the academic seminar, master`s students of the Faculty of Arts of Abai KazNPU presented their own papers devoted to the integration of art and education, the preservation of folk cultural heritage, and the development of contemporary design, painting, and decorative and applied arts. The presentations sparked active discussion and received positive feedback from their Chinese colleagues.

The practical component of the internship included workshops on Chinese folk dance, traditional crafts, the basics of Chinese theatre, calligraphy, and painting. As a result of these classes, the master`s students produced a series of creative works that demonstrated a synthesis of the Kazakh art school with elements of Chinese cultural tradition.
In 2025, the ARTFUSION startup project is being implemented at the Faculty of Arts of Abai KazNPU. As part of this project, an exhibition of graphic works was organised at the Faculty of Arts of Xi`an International Studies University (PRC). The exhibition became a platform for showcasing the creative potential of the faculty and demonstrated how academic education, international internships, and startup projects can mutually reinforce one another.

The culmination of the internship programme was the participation of the master`s students in the youth festival of cultural and artistic exchange between Kazakhstan and China, "Hearts of the Great Silk Road: United in Art" (Silü Tongxin, Yi Qi Tongxin), as well as in a music and dance performance and a painting exhibition featuring works by the programme participants.

The international internship in Xi`an became an important stage in the professional and personal development of the master`s students of the Faculty of Arts of Abai KazNPU. It enabled them to broaden their horizons, strengthen their research and creative skills, gain unique intercultural experience, and outline new directions for joint projects with Chinese partners.