Towards strategic cooperation

On February 22, 2024, Abai University`s management hosted a meeting with a delegation from one of the best American universities in training teachers and education leaders - Michigan State University (USA).

The foreign delegation included the Associate Director of the Office of International Studies in Education at Michigan State University`s College of Education - Julie Sinclair, Senior Advisor for Global Education Engagement at Michigan State University`s College of Education - Shakil Malik, Director of the Visiting International Professional Program at Michigan State University - Xinyu Wu, Graduate research assistant at the Office of International Studies in Education at Michigan State University`s College of Education - Aliya Bizhanova and the CEO of Global Nomad Education - Almagul Kanagatova. And Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Banu Narbekova, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Internationalization Aigul Iskakova, representatives of the Department of International Cooperation and the Institute of Pedagogy and Psychology took part in the meeting from the Kazakh side.

During the meeting, issues related to teacher training in the context of modern trends and challenges were discussed. The management of the two universities presented their projects in the field of teacher education aimed at improving the training of teaching staff, introducing new teaching and research methods, considered key aspects of educational programs, professional development (inclusive education, Action research, early development, leadership), and informal learning. Aigul Iskakova highlighted the importance of strategic cooperation with the University of Michigan, especially in the context of internationalization, which includes academic mobility of students, scientific internships of doctoral students, exchange of teaching staff and scientific cooperation. These steps further strengthen the desire of the leading pedagogical university of the Republic of Kazakhstan to develop international relations and strengthen the university`s position in the global educational space.

In conclusion, the parties agreed to develop a joint roadmap for the effective promotion of strategic partnership.