University aims to nurture positive thinking, skill & innovation:
Dr. Temirbekova Zhanar
BY AMJAD MEHMOOD
International Kazakh-Turkish University (Akhmet Yassawi University), is one of the premier educational institutes in Turkistan, Kazakhstan offering a vast range of degree programs in contemporary disciplines to national and international students. The university provides a quality education experience in a conducive atmosphere for students’ learning and research in high-tech labs and allied facilities. Highly qualified teaching faculty maintained top-class pedagogical standards to distinguish the university among leading world-class institutes. The university also marched up in various global rankings under the leadership of its Rector, Dr. Temirbekova Zhanar Amangeldiyevna, PhD).
Daily The spokesman conducted an exclusive interview with the Rector to share in-depth information about the university for young Pakistani learners and international students who keenly explore the opportunities of higher education across the world.
- University’s Mission & Vision.
International Kazakh-Turkish University, named after Khoja Ahmet Yasawi, is the first international educational institution opened in independent Kazakhstan.
The university was established on October 31, 1992, with the agreement of the Presidents and Governments of Kazakhstan and Turkey, as the first joint project of the two Turkic states. There was also great significance in naming the institute after the name of Khoja Ahmet Yasawi, a thinker, educator, and religious figure known as a wise man of all Turkic peoples. The University bearing the name of a remarkable individual, has a mission that distinguishes it from others.
Talking about the University mission, the Rectos said “Our unique mission is to be a university that nurtures forward-thinking, skilled, and innovative individuals in the Turkic world, guided by the academic principles and teachings of Khoja Ahmet Yasawi.” She added that for more than 30 years, our educational institution has been teaching the youth of Turkic-speaking countries and communities under one roof to become a leader in quality education and scientific research, strengthening integration between peoples.
Adding further she said with a humble beginning, our university has grown exponentially. Initially, we operated with just 3-4 faculties and a student body of 300. Now, our educational institution hosts approximately 10,000 students from 17 countries and represents 30 nationalities, a testament to our expanding global reach and influence. She added that our hopes and plans for the future are several times greater than the present situation.
- Uniqueness of University from other Educational Institutions in Region
Talking about the uniqueness of Akhmet Yassawi University in the region she said, “The first feature is that our university is the only institution in Kazakhstan with international status. Since its establishment, the institution has been serving to strengthen the cooperation of Turkic world to transform and develop the spiritual capital – the city of Turkestan.”
She explained that another unique feature is the power of its name. The university’s philosophy becomes clear when one asks about Khoja Ahmet Yasawi. Yasawi was the only person who contributed to the widespread understanding of Islam among Turkic-speaking nations. He stood at the pinnacle of humanity. She said that is why, when defining our mission and uniqueness, we consider Yasawi’s teachings as the academic principles that make us distinctive. She added we are proud of our Clinical Diagnostic Center, Botanical Garden, Research Institutes, extensive Library, and Cultural Center, which help us stay ahead of other universities.
- Vital Academic Programs & Faculties
Ahmet Yasawi University is one of the leading multidisciplinary educational institutions in Kazakhstan. The university’s multi-level educational system includes higher primary education (bachelor’s), internship, master’s, residency, and doctoral levels. The University is currently offering 153 programs in 9 different disciplines mainly from pedagogical sciences, arts and humanities, social sciences, journalism and information, business, management and law, natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, information and communication technologies, engineering, manufacturing & construction, and health & social welfare (medicine).
Talking about the faculties at the university she said we have ten faculties working to train high-quality and in-demand specialists, including the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Economics, Management & Law, Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Social & Humanities, Faculty of Postgraduate Medical Education, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Sports & Arts, and the Faculty of Medicine. She added we have a unique preparatory center for foreign and Kazakh students to learn languages where students learn Kazakh, Turkish, English, and Russian languages.
- Fostering Innovation & Research
Sharing details about research and innovation, the Rector said that Ahmet Yasawi University’s research activities are based on the further integration of education, science, and innovation. University scientists are keenly engaged in conducting research in the fields of Turkology, archeology, religion, history, economics, mathematics, physics, information technology, ecology, electric power, biotechnology, and medicines. She added that developing research and innovation activities amongst the students and teachers is essential. She said we have increased the incentive funds to 900 thousand Tenge for awarding the authors of scientific articles and patents published in impact factor journals at the university. Similarly, the university introduced friendly and supportive rules to improve the quality of scientific research and timely defense of dissertations by doctoral students. She informed that in recent years, science funding in the country has increased by 3.5 times. She said 35 projects are being implemented at the university. Consequently, an educational laboratory “STEM and Creativity” and another scientific laboratory “Nanotechnologies and New Materials for Energy” were opened during the current academic year. She said that the university fully supports innovative, promising start-up projects with the potential for commercialization.
Recent Initiatives to Enhance Educational Quality
While sharing her thoughts about recent initiatives to enhance educational quality she said to improve the quality of education, first of all, it is necessary to pay attention to strengthening the professionalism and qualification of the teaching staff. Therefore, we have been organizing the “Yasawi Winter School” project for the last two years. The project aims to improve the knowledge and skills of teaching and administrative staff. The best experts from abroad and Kazakhstan are invited to the winter school as speakers. Also, at the beginning of the year, 187 of our teacher-professors participated in the “Implementation of the Pedagogical Education Model and Strengthening its Content” project and exchanged experience with qualified specialists from Finland. The Rector further said we are also focusing on implementation of dual diploma education programs. In 2023, as a result of the successful cooperation between Ahmet Yasawi University and Mugla Sytky Koçman University, the “Tourism” and “Restaurant and Hotel Business” educational programs under the Department of Management and Tourism of the Faculty of Economics, Management, and Law have been awarded a double degree by the Higher Education Council of Turkey (YÖK). She said we are working on adding double-degree educational programs in “Medicine,””Theology,””International Relations” and “Information Technologies” specialties.
University’s support in employability after graduation
The Rector informed that over 90,000 students have graduated from the university since its foundation. They work in various ministries and international organizations; presidential assistants, mayors, sports fans, and art stars are present. The University has established a Center for Career Development and Contact with potential employers. We value graduates’ adaptation to the labor market and their successful employment. Therefore, we spare no effort to be in demand when the applicants who choose us enter the labor market in 4-5 years. Currently, over 80% of graduates are employed. The University also keeps close contact with partners so that the graduates can get jobs conveniently. She added the University emphasizes students’ practical knowledge so that they can get real-time field exposure.
- Inclusiveness & Diversity on Campus
The goals of sustainable development, such as inclusion and prevention of discrimination and inequality between people, are deeply in tune with the philosophy of Yasawi Baba. Hazrat Sultan urges people to enrich feelings such as faith, contentment, love, patience, goodness, generosity, honesty, justice, modesty, mutual love, and respect. The Rector explained that our university has started work on the footprints of these philosophies. In the research institute, “Yasauitanu,” research and study of the teachings and heritage of Khoja Ahmet Yasawi, a collection of essential principles and ideas for humanity and their application in educational work, have been started. The Scientific Research Center “Sustainable Development” opened at our university and works to ensure inclusiveness and diversity on campus.
International Partnerships & Collaborations
Further sharing details about international partnerships and collaborations the Rector said as the first international higher education institution to open in independent Kazakhstan, we constantly revitalize work in this direction. According to the strategic plan for internationalization, the educational institution has established solid scientific, academic, social, and cultural ties with higher educational institutions and organizations in other countries including 126 MOUs, 140 agreements with international organizations, and 50 internal mobility agreements.
Our university continuously works to optimize the exchange of knowledge and experience of teachers and students abroad. As a result, “Visiting Professor,””Orhun,””Mevlana,””Erasmus+” and programs allocated based on bilateral contracts, as well as by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, are being implemented effectively. She added that in the academic year 2023-2024, 28 lecturers and 193 university students went on an exchange of study and experience under academic mobility programs. To give lectures and seminars within the framework of the Visiting Professor program every year from the UK, Spain, Norway, Russia, USA, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan higher education institutions (Oxford, Exeter, Leicester, Cambridge, Brunel, Gazi, Hajetepe, etc.) ) famous professors are also invited.
- University Standing on International Rankings
Talking about the University ranking the Rector said that international rating agencies highly appreciate the work carried out in various directions at the university. Ahmet Yasawi University entered the subject ranking of the world’s best universities in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, published on March 22. She said our educational institution in this year’s subject rating was 201-250 position in “Modern Languages” and 251-300 in the subject of “Education and Training” with better standing than last year. She added in 2024, the university website took 7th place among domestic higher education institutions in the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities-2023. In the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024, the university took 1151-1200 places in the world. It was ranked 362nd in Asia and 8th among Kazakhstan universities. Also, the educational institution took the 787th place in the QS World University Rankings 2024, the most influential rating agency in the world.
- Challenges & Opportunities at Akhmet Yassawi University
While sharing her thoughts about the challenges and opportunities at the university, she expressed that the main direction of the university’s work is clarified through the Strategic Development Plan. She said after detailed analysis our main focus is on the weakness of our university’s educational and laboratory base, the lack of study areas and dormitories. We are making plans and negotiating with partners to eliminate these gaps. Highlighting another challenge, she said lack of training in technical and other specialties (construction, architecture, agriculture, veterinary medicine, etc.) oriented to the region’s needs is also a problem. Therefore, we need to develop and introduce new educational programs for professions that are in demand in the future. One of our main plans is to open the Faculty of Agriculture. Specific steps for solving other problems in the educational process, in the direction of scientific research, and in the direction of infrastructural development have been defined. She added we can also expand strategic partnerships with Turkish universities ready to work on the franchise model.
- Programs & Curriculum Design
Describing programs and curriculum design the Rector said our educational institution always serves to eliminate the personnel shortage in the region. We constantly monitor the professions in demand in the Turkestan region and supplement the academic programs. We also conduct focus groups with students and employers, thereby improving the quality of our educational programs. Our second leader is pedagogy. Due to Turkestan’s dense population and large number of children and schools, there is a great demand for teachers. As the leading institution that trains these specialists, we do our best to provide quality education and 35 percent of our students are studying in pedagogical fields. We also pay close attention to leading in the rapidly developing field of information technology and engineering.
- Long-Term Goals & Aspirations
Talking about the long-term goals, the Rector shared that the development of any university depends on its strategic plan, and it is necessary to analyze the parameters of this strategic plan annually to bring essential changes. While developing the new strategic plan, we searched for comprehensive answers to the questions of our university’s mission, our vision for the future, and our values. We discussed this with university stakeholders and as a result of the discussion, we created the Strategic Development Plan of our university for 2024-2029. A lot of work is being done to advance to the next level within the framework of this strategy.
The university’s development program covering the period from 2024 to 2029 aims to make the university one of the best international educational institutions with a high image and reputation. Through our new strategy, we have identified four main directions that will be prioritized in the coming years, including sustainable institutional development, achieving academic dominance, increasing scientific and innovative potential, and developing a clinical diagnostic center. The university will also move to the “Smart University” model with a digital ecosystem.
- Rector’s Message to Prospective Students
Ahmet Yasawi University has several advantages over other higher educational institutions in Kazakhstan. “Our international status is the most important aspect”. Since its establishment, our university has provided special grants to the youth of the Turkic world. Every year, representatives of the fraternal people who won 250 grants come to us to learn. In addition to state grants, we have the “Turkey Quota” program. The Republic of Turkey annually allocates grants and scholarships to 500 students.
Every year, we send our strongest young people, most active volunteers, best-performing athletes, and artists who represent the university in various competitions to summer school in Turkey. In addition, students choose a direction and a profession, and we as an institution participate in their formation as a comprehensive personality and acquire the most necessary skills of the 21st century.
All educational buildings, libraries, canteens, and laboratories on the university’s territory allow the students to have a carefree education and make their student years unforgettable. In short, at Ahmet Yasawi University, special attention is paid to students’ mastery of the knowledge acquired during the educational process, expansion of their scientific-technical and social thinking, mastery of new ideas, and ability to use scientific information effectively. The most important thing is that we continuously work to ensure that our students and graduates gain competition and do not lose their place in the market. “Our university, which has become the symbol of Turkish youth, has a bright future. Therefore, its abundant opportunities will surely benefit our students, graduates, teachers, and staff.”