Al-Farabi Kazakh National University leader of education in Kazakhstan

Nowadays, KazNU is a leading institution in the system of higher education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which is the first one to pass international accreditation on all specialities and levels.

KazNU is a top university in the General Rating of universities of Kazakhstan. It is the first laureate of the President Award "For achievements in the field of quality". The university is awarded the Commonwealth of Independent States' diploma for achieving high quality products and services. KazNU is a member of the International Association of universities and co-founder of the Eurasian Association of universities. The institution was one of the first universities of Kazakh and Central Asia countries, which signed the Great Charter of Universities in Bologna, and successfully passed international certification for quality management system and got certificates of the world's largest certification centres, for instance, of the International certification system IQNet. The university has the goal to train and educate highly qualified professionals who will be competitive in the domestic and international labour market. Integration of achievements of modern science into the educational process is one of the directions of the further development. For this purpose courses, which are closely connected with applied science, are included into the training process. For example, there are courses for students and postgraduates, which are developed according to results of scientific researches that were financed by the state because of their actuality. Autonomy of the university allows developing and changing curriculum according to requests of employers in order to increase practical skills of graduates. Moreover, the educational process is quite close to the international standards of education, for instance, curriculum and programs of the world's leading universities are used as a basis. Furthermore, each speciality has its own direction based on international ratings. KazNU has a great educational, scientific, innovative and productive potential, which is used to prepare highly qualified specialists, further integration into international educational space, development of basic and applied researches and their implementation in practice. Results of scientific research are successfully implemented, for instance, by using in the production or manufacture. Many scientific groups have contracts with large domestic and international enterprises and according to the agreements they work on developing technology and production. Nowadays, KazNU is educational and scientific complex offering wide range of specialities. There are 14 faculties, 98 departments, 20 scientific institutions and centres, a Technical Park. More than two thousand professors and doctors, more than 100 academicians of the largest academies, more than 30 laureates of Government and other awards, 40 laureates of awards for young scientists and 45 holders of State's research fellowships work in the university. There are more than eighteen thousand students and postgraduates. The university cooperates and collaborates with 418 large international universities on the issues of implementation of collaborative international educational programs, student exchange and more. It can be said with confidence that KazNU shapes the future of Kazakhstan as most graduates represent the elite of Kazakh society and take part in the development of the country. Much attention is paid to social projects and programs as a form of financial help and motivation for students. For example, excellent students can get a 15% discount or there are large discounts for orphans or disabled students, for prize-winners of republican and international competitions. Possibility of participation in scientific projects offers another significant opportunity for younger generation. As a result, they get experience and salary. The university also pays attention to the quality and conditions of buildings and accommodations for students. For example, a new 9-floor students' dormitory was built last year. It is well equipped and has access to the internet. Studying at the university is a dynamic and fascinating experience. The younger generation is actively involved in cultural life of the country, as the university has its own radio and TV programs, student clubs and societies under the Youth Organizations Committee of KazNU. KazNU is one of the best universities in Kazakhstan with excellent infrastructure and a large number of highly qualified professors and teachers who effectively train and teach a lot of students working, studying and living in dynamic and exciting atmosphere.

By Aizhan Zhatkanbayeva and Ilyas Kuderin