Studying abroad brings special sense of patriotism: Bolashak graduate B. Yessimova

You studied in Saint Petersburg. As I know, most of ?Bolashak? program graduates prefer to study at Western universities. In your opinion, what are the advantages of studying in Russia. I studied at the Saint Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics. In 2006 I obtained a degree with distinction, majoring in economics. Since my childhood I dreamed to study abroad. I always knew, that my dream would come true, despite the fact that I grew up in a small town of Turgai area, where a few dreamed (may be they did not know) of other horizons. I chose education in Russia, because I think our countries have much in common. From the very first days I actively participated in the University activities ? I became a leader of my class, participated in various seminars and Olympiads. My active citizenship allowed me to unite the Kazakh students and to create the youth organization - Center for Youth of Kazakhstan ?Baiterek?, which is the first officially registered Kazakh youth organization abroad. I?m glad that this organization is still functioning and developing, it unites over thousand Kazakh students in Saint Petersburg, has its own newspaper etc. Arriving in Kazakhstan, I was involved in ?Youth Congress of Kazakhstan? and also worked as an Executive Director of the ?Bolashak? Association for program graduates. Over time I became acquainted with the best representatives of our youth. Living five years abroad, I was not much aware of the events taken place at my homeland. I am very fortunate that from the very beginning, I met those people that strengthened my patriotism, my belief in prosperity of my country, It was mentioned many times that ?Bolashak? program graduates bring not only knowledge obtained at foreign universities, but a special sense of patriotism, a desire to develop in our country everything they have seen abroad. I think that it is one of the most important benefits of studying abroad. Now you are the Advisor to the Chairman of the Agency for Public Service. Is your job interesting? At the beginning of 2007 I started professional work as Advisor to the Chairman of the Agency. Employment in the public service in Kazakhstan is very interesting, first of all, because we ourselves do our policy, our practices and our history. I do believe that we are children of the gold time: together with our First President Nursultan Nazarbayev we build new, prosperous Kazakhstan. Public service in Kazakhstan takes a new turn in its development, placing at the forefront a new management in human resources, where the human factor becomes decisive. At present ?Bolashak? program graduates and all progressive youth of Kazakhstan have an opportunity to contribute to public service, where their efficiency, personal abilities and dedication are in high demand. The public service environment became more competitive and open, and it will lead to establishment of a professional core of new generation of managers whom the President talked about. As one of the women representatives who are involved in strategic issues, do not you think that there are some problems for women in climbing up the ladder. Do not you think that women in senior leadership positions should be replaced more often, may be we need new faces? I agree that there are no new, in particular young women at the modern political Olympus. And I would like to pay attention to the following: despite the fact that women take 58% of the total number of public officers (and it is about 100 thousand people), only few of them are able to get the key leading positions. Many factors influence on these: first of all, working conditions and mentality as well. It seems to me, that institute of mentoring was more widely practiced in the past, for some reasons it is not working when it comes to women?s relationships. Psychologists say that men do well with men and women better understand women. In this regard there is no progress on this issue? But the situation must be changed. It is not necessary to create special conditions for women in the framework of gender policy in Kazakhstan. We just must identify not only ambitious, but bright, talented and female personalities in the society. I believe, we can find such women among the ?Bolashak? graduates. And all they need is just benevolent mentoring and practice. Thank you for the interview.