Official Visit of the Gyeonggi-do Provincial Office of Education Delegation (Korea) to Abai University

On April 23, 2025, a delegation from the Gyeonggi-do Provincial Office of Education in South Korea, led by Governor Lim Tae Hee, paid an official visit to Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. The delegation, which included directors and inspectors of various departments as well as public relations specialists, was warmly welcomed by the university leadership.

This visit marked an important event aimed at strengthening educational cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. During the meeting, the guests were introduced to the global influence of Abai`s literary works, which have been translated into more than 60 languages, including Korean. It was noted that in 2020, a collection titled "A Song Echoed in the Golden Yurt" was published in Korea, and in 2021, a monument to Abai was erected in Seoul.

The university presented its international activities and educational programs. Since 2021, the Department of Oriental Studies and Translation has offered Korean language instruction. Currently, 369 students are learning Korean, 83 of whom intend to become Korean language teachers. This year, the first 107 students will graduate in this field. Additionally, under the academic mobility program, eight students from Abai University studied at Korean universities last year.

Abai University maintains stable partnerships with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan, the Korean Education Center, and several Korean universities including Silla, Namseoul, Hankuk, Inha, Honam, and Suwon.

The Gyeonggi-do Provincial Office of Education is the largest regional education authority in South Korea. Established in 1956, it is located in the most densely populated area surrounding Seoul and plays a crucial role in the development of the national education system. The Office oversees the operations of primary, middle, and high schools, serving over 44,000 students and nearly 5,000 staff members.
The Office is actively involved in developing educational policies, quality assurance, improving school infrastructure, enhancing teacher qualifications, and integrating digital technologies. It also implements innovative projects in areas such as global citizenship, STEAM education, artificial intelligence, and environmental education.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties expressed their intention to implement a number of joint initiatives. These include organizing short- and long-term courses for Korean students to learn Kazakh and Russian, providing opportunities for Abai University students and graduate students to serve as assistant teachers in Gyeonggi-do schools, facilitating faculty exchanges, and hosting seminars and master classes. Plans also include joint summer camps, cultural exchange events, online conferences, and digital projects.

To implement these initiatives, both parties are considering signing a memorandum of cooperation, developing a joint online course or pilot project (e.g., summer school, assistant teacher exchange), and establishing a Korean Cultural and Educational Center at Abai University.

This meeting was a significant step towards elevating educational cooperation between the two countries to a new level, preparing future teachers on an international scale, and opening new opportunities for intercultural education.