Abai University discusses zero tolerance to corruption

On February 11, 2022 Abai University hosted the regular seminar-meeting on cultivation of «zero tolerance» to corruption within the Concept of anti-corruption policy of Kazakhstan for 2022-2026.

The event was attended by the First Deputy Head of the Department of the Agency for Counteraction of Corruption in Almaty Daniyar Taumurat, the Head of Prevention Kanat Salembayev, the Head of the Republican Project Office «Sanaly urpaq» Kayyrzhan Tokushev.

Chairman of the Board - Rector of Kazakh National Pedagogical University Darkhan Bilyalov said that on February 1 of this year, the Head of State held a meeting on combating corruption, where he noted that the measures taken gave tangible results and the level of corruption decreased. However, this did not bring cardinal changes. In this regard, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan has approved the Concept of Anti-Corruption Policy, prepared on his instructions.

In his speech, the Acting Head of the anti-corruption compliance service Serikbay Nurgisaev reported that the university activities aimed at combating corruption are conducted in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan, conducted thematic surveys, meetings, lectures, creative competitions. Successfully conducted an inspection audit of the international standard ISO 37001: 2016 by «Eurosert», which confirmed the continued validity of the certificate.

University together with the national project office «SANALY URPAQ» held a conference «Experience of implementation and international certification of ISO 37001:2016» with the participation of vice-rectors and responsible employees for anti-corruption activities of universities in Almaty. The event was also attended by the Head of the Anti-Corruption Department of Almaty M.Zh. Akhmetov. Materials of the conference were published as a separate brochure in the Kazakh and Russian languages.

At least ten meetings with students and teaching staff were organised during the semester in order to develop zero tolerance to corrupt practices. A questionnaire survey of undergraduate students in all institutes was carried out using Google forms in an online format. A total of over eight thousand people took part in the survey.

One of the most important activities was an anti-corruption review of the university`s internal regulations to identify corruption risks. Nine recommendations were made based on its results.

At the meeting with Kanat Salembayev, the head of the Almaty Department of Anti-Corruption Agencies, the main provisions of the Concept of anti-corruption policy for 2022-2026 and the tasks facing universities were explained.

Kairzhan Tokushev, praising the work of the university in this direction, emphasised the quality of the anti-corruption assessment of internal acts. Concerning the monitoring of the implementation of the University`s planned positions, he noted that in general the Abai KazNPU carries out certain activities for their implementation. However, there are items that are for objective reasons (quarantine measures in connection with the pandemic and as a consequence, online learning, known events in Almaty) are not performed in time. But before the end of the school year there is time to catch up.

The meeting was held at a high organisational level with the active participation of Vice-Chancellors, Directors of Institutes and Departments, teaching staff and students.