International accreditation of the pilot dual study program

On 24 May 2023, Abai University held an international accreditation of its pilot dual degree program. Abai University within the framework of the project KazDual - "Implementing dual system in Kazakhstan" (project number: 618835-EPP-1-2020-1-KZ-EPPKA2-CBHE-SP, project duration: 15.01.2021 -14.01.2024), by Erasmus+ program launched in 2022-2023 academic year a pilot project for the implementing dual education model on EP 6B01303-"Prymary education with information and communication technologies". The partner of the pilot program was the "New Generation School-NGS".

External experts of accreditation - the international agency ACQUIN (Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute, Germany) conducted a compliance check of the university and school partner according to the criteria and standards of the ESG Dual Program.

On the basis of the analysis of the self-evaluation report a discussion was held with the persons responsible for the program (program manager, program coordinators), the chair of Primary Education, teachers, professors and mentors and the administration of the partner school, students. The experts asked questions about the prospects for development of the program, the distinctive features of the dual training program, job opportunities. Particular attention was paid to the scientific and methodological support of the educational process, the organization of practical training of students of the dual program, as well as the motivation of teachers, mentors-schools and students in the dual education system.

In the discussion of the expert group program with the students, the issues of supporting the dual student, creating conditions for professional growth, motives for choosing a profession, types of feedback and benefits of the dual program were touched upon. Students talked about the support from the partner school. Both pilot group students and similar nondual students participated in the discussion. The students explained the procedures for selecting an individual course and described the practical and theoretical learning features of the program.