Bolashak Visiting Fellows Conference — Spring 2023

From May 2022 to May 2023, the Central Asia Program hosted 23 Bolashak Visiting Fellows from Kazakhstan on a tailor-made training program focusing on 1) Leadership in Higher Education Management and 2) Economics and Crisis Management. With their time at the George Washington University (GWU) coming to an end, please join us for a two-day conference to meet the Fellows, learn about their experiences in the United States, and hear their key findings regarding educational challenges in their home regions and Central Asia.

Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Conference Program

Day 1: April 26, 2023

12:15 p.m. –  4 p.m.

12:15–12:30 a.m. Welcome Remarks: Marlene Laruelle, Director of IERES; Ruslan Sakeyev, Representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

12:30–1:15 p.m. Panel I: The Internationalization of Kazakhstani Universities

Chair: Sebastien Peyrouse, Director, Central Asia Program, GWU

Speakers:

1. Elmira Assan, Head of the Division of International Treaties and Legislation of the Ministry’s International Cooperation Department
2. Abaibek Zhunissov, Associate Professor at Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
3. Mirey Kabasheva, Associate Professor of Economics Department at the Kazakh Auto Road Institute

1:25–2:25 p.m. Panel II: Inclusion and Sustainability Issues in Higher Education

Chair: Aisalkyn Botoeva, Search for Common Ground

Speakers:

1. Gaini Mukhanova, Associate Professor and Vice Rector for Science and International Relationships at the Kazakh Academy of Labor and Social Relations
2. Botagoz Kerimbayeva, Associate Professor of Foreign Philology and Translation Studies at Zhubanov University
3. Gulashar Doskeyeva, Professor of Economics at Narxoz University
4. Ardak Montayev, Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science at Auezov University

2:45–3:45 p.m. Panel III: Enhancing Quality Assurance and Educational Efficiency in Kazakhstani Higher Education

Chair: Hugh Agnew, Professor of History and International Affairs, Interim Director, M.A. International Affairs Program, GWU

Speakers:

1. Gulden Manarbek, Head of the Department for Accreditation and Licensing of Educational Programs at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
2. Aigul Amrenova, Deputy Director of the Institute of Heat Power Engineering and Control Systems at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications
3. Galym Teleuyev, Dean of the Law faculty of the International Educational Corporation
4. Aigul Yessentemirova, Deputy Director of the Agency for Recognition and Quality Assurance.

Day 2: April 27, 2023

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

10:00–11:00 A.M. Panel I: Driving Sustainable Growth for Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises in Kazakhstan

Chair: Kacey Reeves West, PhD Fellow, George Mason University

Speakers:

1. Arman Nurmaganbetov, Head of Internal Administration for the Department of State Fund of Social Insurance
2. Assem Tanzharikova, Associate Professor, Scientific and Educational Department of Accounting and Audit at Narxoz University
3. Ugur Choban, Assistant Professor and Research Coordinator of the Suleyman Demirel University Business School
4. Bauyrzhan Kobadilov, Lecturer in finance at Suleyman Demirel College in Kazakhstan

11:10 a.m.–12:10 p.m. Panel II: Navigating Macroeconomic Challenges & Opportunities for Economic Growth in Central Asia

Chair: Paola Marcela Ballon Fernandez, Senior Economist at the World Bank

Speakers:

1. Bibigul Aidarkhanova, Professor at the Kazakh University of Economics
2. Orynbassar Tumenbayeva, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics and Business, Business School of Suleyman Demirel University
3. Zhanna Yessinbayeva, Head of the Department of Formation of the State Educational Order of the Department of Higher and Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Education and Science
4. Olzhas Kenzhaliyev, Head of Science and Innovation at Kazakh-British Technical University

1:00–2:00 p.m. Panel III: Overcoming Social & Economic Challenges in Kazakhstan

Chair: Dan Whitman, Professorial Lecturer, GWU

Speakers:

1. Lesbek Taizhanov, Associate Professor at the International Kazakh-Turkish University
2. Altynay Omirzakova, Senior Lecturer in Marketing and international relations coordinator of the Suleyman Demirel University Business School
3. Dina Bakranova, Deputy Head of the Center of Alternative Energy and Nanotechnologies at Kazakh-British Technical University
4. Maral Alisheva, Associate Professor at Law Enforcement Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office