Meeting of the Council of Rectors of Almaty Universities

On 3 April 2018 at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, a meeting of the Association «Council of rectors of universities of Almaty region» was held.

The Council of Rectors focuses on the development of the system of higher education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Council of Rectors of Almaty Universities was founded on 23 August 2011, it includes 23 universities, including 7 national universities (Al-Farabi KazNU, KazNAU, KazNU named after K. Satpayev, Abai KazNPU,. S. Asfendiyarov KazNMU, Kazakh National Conservatory named after Kurmangazy, Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov), leading Kazakhstani universities (KazSWTU, Abylai Khan KazIRFL, University «Narkhoz», Zhetysuy State University named after I. Zhansugurov , Kazakh Academy of Sport and Tourism, KazATC named after M. Tynyshpaev, ATB, KIMEP et al.).

The meeting was attended by members of the Council of Rectors of Almaty universities and heads of 16 universities in Almaty.

On the agenda of the meeting, the following issues were considered: modernization of higher and postgraduate education in the framework of the implementation of the Message and «Five Social Initiatives of the President»; system revision of the content of education (in connection with the renewal of educational programs, their operational «adjustment» for the real needs of the labor market); development of digital educational resources; the promotion of the development in the universities of fundamental research in the priority areas of science; joint events (conferences, seminars, lectures of leading professors of prestigious universities); activization of the activity of the Council of Rectors of Almaty.

At the opening of the meeting the rector of the KazNPU Takir Balykbayev greeted the participants and stressed the importance of the meeting of the members of the Council of Rectors of the universities of Almaty region.

In his report «Modernization of higher and postgraduate education in the framework of the implementation of the Message» New Development Opportunities in the Conditions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and «Five Social Initiatives of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev», he noted:» In the Address of the Head of State, special attention is paid to the human Capital as a basis for modernization and a new quality of education. We are faced with the task of creating our own advanced educational system, encompassing citizens of all ages, and therefore we need to revise the approaches to training and the development of teachers` qualifications. At the country`s universities, it is necessary to develop pedagogical departments and faculties, to increase the number of graduates trained in information technology, work with artificial intelligence and «large data». Particular attention Takir Balykbaev emphasized on the problem of providing students with places of residence in dormitories.

Vice-Rector for Social Development of Al-Farabi KazNU Sholpan Zhamanbalaeva delivered a report «University Alliance of Universities» 38 as a platform for implementing the strategy «Rukhani zharguiru» in the universities of Almaty». She told the audience about the purpose of the Alliance U38 and the main directions of its work.

President of the Kazakh Academy of Physical Culture and Sports Kairat Zakiryanov presented a report «On the development of student sport». He stressed the need to create for students all the conditions for playing sports and conducting competitions in various sports. In conclusion of his speech, Kairat Zakiryanov presented Takir Balykbaev with the book «The Great Steppe and the Olympic Games of Ancient Greece. Origin of the sport».

Proposals were made by President of the Kazakh Academy of Physical Culture and Sports Kairat Zakiryanov, Rector of the Kazakh Agrarian University Tlektes Esbolov, Rector of the Almaty University of Energy and Communications Saule Sagintayev, President of Almaty University Management Asylbek Kozhakhmetov and Rector Gulmira Kurganbaeva, Rector of the International University of Information Technologies Damir Shynybekov, rector of the Kazakh National Medical University Talgat Nurgozhin, rector of the Kazakh National Conservatory Zhaniya Aubakirova, rector of Zhetysu State University Kuat Baymyrzayev, rector of the Kazakh-German University Olga Moskovchenko and others at the meeting

All proposals are included in the Work Plan of the Council of Rectors of Almaty Universities on improving the development of education in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The elections of the Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Almaty Universities were held. Following the voting, the rector of KazNPU Takir Balykbayev was elected chairman of the Council of Rectors of Almaty Universities.

In general, this meeting allowed to discuss many issues of importance to universities, exchange experience in the field of innovation, outlines the prospects for further joint work.

Department of Public Relations