Welcome to EDUC 617 "Contextualizing Education Reform in Kazakhstan and Beyond" Course!

Please write a brief self-introduction using the following format. 

Your picture:

Your name: 

Your specialization on the MSc Progam: 

A few words about your current professional background:

A few words about your current research interests if any: 

A few words about myself: I started my academic career as an English teacher in my hometown of Pavlodar. I've worked in mainstream public schools as well as teacher training programs at public universities in Kazakhstan.  I earned my doctoral degree at Columbia University in the field of Comparative and International Education with a Specialization in Sociology of Education. My research interests center on globalization of education, transnational policy borrowing and lending and curriculum internationalization. I am looking forward to meeting each of you. Welcome to NUGSE and our course!

A year ago I decided to stop working for oligarchs and give back to my country and people. That is how I ended up being in here.

My research interest is the current and late situation of child protection and social emotional learning at public schools in KZ and their impact on little human beings :)

Overly happy to be the part of this cohort!

My name is Aizhan. Nice to meet you all!

I’m in MSc educational leadership program, specialising in Inclusive education .

I’m 28 years old. I’ve finished my undergraduate studies in 2017 and gained a bachelor degree in translation studies. Later on I’ve also obtained a second degree course in Physical Education Teaching in Russian Federation. What’s what I’ve been doing for the last 4 years, teaching sports to young students at international school here in Astana.

My research interest is correlation between physical/emotional wellbeing and overall academic performance of a young students .

Nice to meet you all 🌸🌸🌸

My name is Meruyert and I am specializing in School Education.

I have graduated in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in Two Foreign Languages, specializing in Turkish and English. During my studies, I worked as a Youth Mentor focusing on guiding and supporting students.

In addition to teaching English, I have organized academic events that combined education and personal development.

My research focus is how mentorship, combined with academic and socio-emotional development initiatives, influences students' academic success and overall well-being.

My specialization is Inclusive Education. I graduated in 2024 with a bachelor's degree as a teacher in chemistry and biology. And I've been teaching biology for 4 years now. I worked at the private school "Kursant" and at the educational center “Tesla”

And I'm also a project manager. Currently I work online at the COS agency.

My research interest aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice, emphasizing the creation of inclusive curricula, teacher training, and classroom management techniques that promote full participation and academic success for every student.

I wish all of us good luck in the new academic year!

It is a pleasure to join GSE and be a part of NU!

My name is Chingiz. I am from Astana.

My program is MSc in Ed.Leadership specialized in Higher Ed.

I have been working at Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan for 3 years as a leading expert in Educational Policy Center, where our team and I work hard on the creating educational programs, quality assuarance, accreditations, providing legal acts and many other issues just to make the proccess of education for the civil servants excellente.

My name is Madina, my specialization in MSc program is Higher Education.

I am currently working as a Laboratory Assistant at the Anthropology Laboratory in SSH here at NU.

Having been a part of the Nazarbayev University ecosystem for the past decade, both as a student (majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Languages, Literature, and Linguistics) and now as a staff member, I have had the privilege of engaging with students, collaborating on academic projects, and contributing to innovative initiatives.

My research interests lie at the intersection of anthropology and higher education. I plan to use the knowledge and skills gained from this program to develop more educational opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of anthropology and archaeology.

My name is Zhannur Zhamisheva, my specialization is Higher Education.

For the last couple of years, I have been engaged in the opening and development of an educational center for children with partners. I was also a mentor for children from the Support Center for Children in Difficult Situations. Interacting with higher education institutions, I became interested in further professional development in this direction and decided that studying at this program would be an excellent start.

My research interests are such topics as popularization of non-formal education and it’s role in the higher education system and the role of higher education in career guidance.

• My background is in Political Science (+IR) and World Languages and Literature (double major).
• I have worked both as a school teacher and as an educational entrepreneur.
• My research interests lie in the fields of AI in Education, Post-Soviet School Education, Post-Soviet Education and Politics, Educational Technology in the Post-Soviet Space, and Educational Technology in Public Schools in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• The title of my capstone project was: “No Longer at Ease: The Perception of the Deteriorating Relationship between Kazakhstan and Russia in Light of the Russian-Ukrainian War.”
• I never thought I would pursue higher education—I wanted to be a professional hockey player.
• One of my dreams is to travel to the southern part of Africa (Namibia, Mozambique, or South Africa) and catch some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world.
• Barcelona is, in my opinion, both the most romantic and most beautiful city in the world (been there four times).
• Nazarbayev University rocks! :)

My name is Aruzhan and my specialization on the MSc Program is Higher Education. I graduated from SDU University in 2023. To talk about my experience, I have worked unofficially for several years online, but starting from last year, I worked as a General English Teacher and prepared students for the National Exam in a private school. 

My research interest is connected to psychology. I have several ideas in my mind, but for now I am keen on not revealing them as I have not decided which topic I am going to choose. 

Hope to interact closely with each of you guys, I am super friendly, so do not hesitate to talk to me. 

My research interests lie in the fields of college and career counseling, as well as educational assessment, particularly in standardized testing.

I am very happy to be a part of this cohort and the SE track.

I am Aygerim from Uzbekistan, Tashkent. I am in Msc, in School Education.

I chose School education, because I am much interested in developing the quality education at local schools. I have worked at a local school in my hometown more than a year as an English teacher, and have a 4 years of experience in language teaching. I did some internships at city schools, and colleges as well as took part in many Educational leadership programs such as UGRAD.

I am eager to do research from my Bachelor's experience, and my main research interests include teacher stress management, and main setbacks in promoting quality education in local areas.

I also love traveling, reading, singing and trying new things.

Happy to become a part of this community!

My name is Malika Kunakbayeva. My specialization is School Education.

I hold a bachelor's degree in Foreign Languages from West Kazakhstan University. Since completing my degree, I've dedicated myself to teaching English. Currently, I work in NIS Uralsk.

Now, my research interests are exploring innovative assessments methods (perhaps with the help of AI-driven tools)

I am pursuing an MSc in Educational Leadership, specializing in the SE track. I graduated from Nazarbayev University in 2020 and worked as a social studies teacher at NIS Astana,  currently, I am on maternity leave. During this time, I am focused on updating my knowledge of Kazakhstan's education system and gaining valuable research experience alongside leading scholars. My research interests include the integration of EdTech and the Professional Development of Teachers.

My full name is Diana Serik. This summer I've graduated from SDU university as a Teacher of English and Korean languages. After that, I decided to make my dream come true and study at NU at Inclusive education program.

• Concerning my professional background, I have worked as an English teacher (online / offline) in different educational centers ("CES for you", "EdWorld"), where I dealt with various age range of learners and students with SEN. Other than that, I had my practicum at Nazarbayev Intellectual School at Almaty for 2-3 months.

• My research interests are educational inequality between urban and rural areas, equality and equity in education and the quality of education.

Hope that we can study collaboratively and learn from each others' experience:)

I am from Kyzylorda and completed my bachelor’s degree in Two Foreign Languages in 2023. During my university years, I attended the Mugalim Academy, which focuses on developing professionally skilled educators. This year, I worked as an English teacher and mentor at 125 High School.

My research interests include student and teacher well-being and the development of the education system in rural areas.

I am very happy to be part of this team :)

My name is Aliya. I'm in Inclusive Education program. 

I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Foreign Philology (English/Korean) in Almaty in 2022. I have been teaching since. Currently, I am an English teacher at NIS Astana.

My research interests are centered on special educational needs, especially in the context of fostering inclusivity in the classroom.  

My name is Aiganym Suimenbay.

·       This year I graduated from SDU with a BA in “Two foreign languages”

English and German

I am now enrolled to the MSc in Educational leadership, Inclusive education

·       I have 3 years of work experience in the position of assistant in International relations department at SDU

·       As a head of the Language club at SDU, I worked in different projects, especially on realization of a speaking program with University of Waterloo, Canada.

·       I am interested in the topic of Accessibility in Education and investigation of inclusivity in a broader spectrum. I think it should go beyond people with physical disabilities and address all needs of people in accessing education.

Nice to meet you all !

 I took my bachelor degree in Oriental Sciences.  I worked as an English teacher in study centers.

I was project manager for two international exhibitions.

My research interests is university cooperation in Central Asia region.

Nice to meet you all.

My name is Madina, from Pavlodar. I got my Bachelor degree in pedagogy back in 2018. Since then I have been an English teacher for more than 5 years. And I have seen a lot of school finishers preparing for IELTS to pursue their further education abroad.

Ever since, I got interested in HE system of our country and policy making so I have enrolled in MSc Higher Education program.

Nice to meet you all!

I graduated KBTU in 2016 with BSc in "Chemical Engineering", after working 2 years in chemical field I decided that my true interests lies in education. I studied Pedagogical retraining program in SDU. I have worked as Chemistry teacher and Vice principal in Bilim Innovation Lyceum (KTL).

For the last two years I have been working as a mentor in a project to improve the quality of schools in the Mangystau region. As a mentor, I attend teachers' lessons and give feedback, I also conduct seminars and master classes for teachers.

Having visited many schools, I saw the problems teachers face every day and that solving these problems requires careful research. That's why I probably chose NU, to at least somehow help in solving these problems.

Happy to be part of this team!

I have been working in the sphere of education since my university graduation. I started my career path at NIS Semey as a teacher in 2008. Today it brought me to a headteacher position at Kyzylorda city. Hope that this experience will enrich the learning journey at GSE.

I’m interested in brining and developing high quality teaching at schools that create an opportunity to develop critical thinking, students’ holistic development.

I am passionate about exploring the role of digital literacy in preparing secondary school students for the digital age, as well as the impact of educational technology in promoting personalized learning experiences in secondary schools.

I am happy to be a part of this inspiring community.

I hold a BSc in technical physics and work as a physics teacher at NIS of Physics and Math.

I am interested in developing an educational curriculum that meets the needs of boys in school in terms of teaching and assessments. Based on research, boys have different learning preferences and challenges than girls.

I am happy to be here with you.

My name is Oksana. I am from Russia, but I have been living and working in Astana for 13 years. Over the same period I have been teaching English to primary students in school - lyceum NURORDA.

I have experience working in different educational environments as I worked in Russia and Turkey before. I am a passionate teacher eager for further self-development.

I am very happy to be a member of MSc program. My program is Leadership in School Education.

My name is Alena, and I'm from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I am very excited to be in Astana, exploring a new country, and becoming part of the NU GSE community.

My specialization in the MSc program is School Education. I graduated from the American University of Central Asia in 2024, where I majored in Social Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking, with a minor in Human Rights. I have worked as a Teaching Assistant at AUCA for one year and at OSUN for six months. Additionally, I have participated in various short-term educational projects in my home country.

Despite my work experience in higher education, I developed a strong interest in school education while writing my senior thesis. My bachelor’s thesis explored the impact of design thinking on developing school students’ soft skills, which deeply inspired me and motivated my application to GSE SE. My research interests focus on identifying potential ways and methods to enhance the skills and opportunities for school students, making them competitive and successful in the context of 21st-century realities.

My name is Makhinur, my specialization is in Higher Education. My path in the education field began as a teacher - I taught Russian as a Foreign Language to the foreign diplomats residing in Astana. In 2021 I worked as an Admissions manager and later joined the Higher School of Economics in Moscow where I coordinated Master’s programs at the Institute of Education and was responsible for curating the program content and managing the academic process. In 2022 I started working at Nazarbayev University as an academic advisor, supporting Undergraduate-level students in their 1-2 years of study and helping them on their academic and career path. Right now, I work as a senior manager at the Career and Advising Center where I lead the alumni relations unit.

I’d like to research the impact of advising and mentorship on academic performance and retention rates, interdisciplinary mentorship and how these relationships influence student satisfaction and engagement.

My name is Shynar Sabyrkhanova, and I am thrilled to begin my journey at Nazarbayev University as an MSc Educational Leadership student, specializing in School Education.

I bring nine years of experience in education, including a leadership role as Deputy Principal. My work has centred on supporting gifted students, recruiting and managing international staff, leading key educational projects, and coordinating our school's CIS accreditation. I have also developed partnerships with national and international educational organizations and contributed to expanding second foreign language programs, all while driving initiatives to enhance academic quality and student outcomes.

My research interests focus on equity, diversity, and inclusivity in education, as well as professional development and assessment within the school setting.

My name is Shynar Sabyrkhanova, and I am thrilled to begin my journey at Nazarbayev University as an MSc Educational Leadership student, specializing in School Education.

I bring nine years of experience in education, including a leadership role as Deputy Principal. My work has centred on supporting gifted students, recruiting and managing international staff, leading key educational projects, and coordinating our school's CIS accreditation. I have also developed partnerships with national and international educational organizations and contributed to expanding second foreign language programs, all while driving initiatives to enhance academic quality and student outcomes.

My research interests focus on equity, diversity, and inclusivity in education, as well as professional development and assessment within the school setting.

My professional journey starts in 2021 after the first and the last year of studying online. My experience is not really as inspiring as others', but they all happened online due to studies. I have taught English in companies like ELC, BeBest, and JSI. Teaching online has become frustrating for me, so I discontinued it.

Regarding my research interests, my focus is teacher training and support. I would like to look at issues in inclusive education from the teachers' side.

It is nice to meet you and hope to see you all soon!

My name is Aizada, and I’m specializing in the MSc program in Higher Education.

I completed my bachelor’s degree in Management from IITU University in Almaty in 2019.

Since then, I have worked as a marketing manager at Nazarbayev University across various Schools (SSH and GSPP), where my journey into educational leadership has been significantly shaped. One of my key achievements has been enhancing the domestic and international reputation of NU Schools through innovative marketing and communication strategies.

I’m passionate about researching ways to increase Nazarbayev University’s and other local universities’ global recognition and am dedicated to using my marketing expertise to showcase the unique strengths of Kazakhstani education worldwide.

My name is Aidana, and I am from Karaganda. I am pursuing an MSc in Educational Leadership with an inclusive program.

I previously worked at NIS Karaganda for four years. I am currently working at BIL for boys in Karaganda, where I've been since 2019.

In 2023, I completed the CELTA certification in Istanbul.

My research interests focus on diverse learning needs and inclusivity in the classroom.  I am pleased to be a part of NU;)

I graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in 2022 with a degree in Foreign Philology. Since then, I have been working in Astana at the NIS PhM as an English teacher.

My research interests are related to the criteria and methods of student assessment, as well as their impact on the quality of knowledge gained.

I'm Aisulu, my specialization is in Higher Education. I'm glad to be a part of NU community.

I come from the North part of KZ, from Petropavlovsk, where I graduated from NKSU in 2015. Since 2015 I've been teaching English only, tutoring adults students.

 I specialize in Higher Education. I am from Nigeria.

I have always been  passionate about teaching which led me to getting a bachelors degree in Agricultural Education from my home country Nigeria, Michael Okpara University, Umudike in 2017.

I have also been in the educational sector where I worked as an Agricultural teacher for 3 years,  English teacher for 2 years and also as a school administrator for a year.

I decided to apply for Educational leadership in this reputable school to further my interest in the educational field and truth be told, I am not getting anything less than I expected rather more. I also hope to study further in this great institution after my Msc program.

I am glad to be part of NU.

My name is Philip, I am from Cape Coast, Ghana. My specialization is in Higher Education. I am a certified Ghanaian teacher, over the past three years, I have been working as a Tutor and Assistant Examiner at the College of Distance Education of the University of Cape Coast, where I apply my expertise in curriculum and instruction to support students (tutees) to become more independent learners, persist in college, and reach their goals. With a Master of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. My core competencies include curriculum design, instructional strategies, learner-centered pedagogy, educational technology, and research skills. My research interest and mission is to enhance the quality and accessibility of education for diverse learners and to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practice in my field.

I am excited to be part of the MSc Educational Leadership (Higher Education) program at NU.

I am Akdana and I am thrilled to join GSE, MSC Educational Leadership (HE) and be surrounded by such enthusiastic, fast-learning, and adaptive classmates who are eager to share their experiences and knowledge.

I have worked at the Department of Student Services, where I coordinated foundation year students and supported socially vulnerable students. During this time, I interacted with students from various countries, providing different forms of support, including financial assistance. Currently, I work with graduate students, focusing on attracting new applicants and handling all admission-related tasks.

I am a passionate education administrator with over 6 years of experience in the field. My interests include leveraging AI in Education and promoting educational programs, especially at the graduate level.

My name is Zhuldyz and I am at my master program, my specialization is Educational Leadership, Higher Education. I worked as a teacher at university in Almaty many years. But now I live in Astana with my family.

I am a mother of five children and I am at my maternity leave now, because my youngest child is just 8 months old. I have decided to enrich my knowledge and do some research, and I would like to be a good example for my children. That is why I am here at NU. I am very pleased to be a part of NU community. I hope to have enjoyable time here.

Born in Semey, primary school in Almaty and high school and university in Astana.

Working for Flagman Online as a vice principal on methodological works. I had a privilege to work as science, math and English teacher for NIS ib, iqanat and mynbala schools. I live in Astana, love singing kazakh songs , cooking pasta, fishing.

I earned my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry-Biology from SDU in 2022. My teaching journey began during my third year at university when I worked as a homeroom teacher at "Galaxy International School." After graduation, I taught chemistry and STEAM at NURORDA Lyceum in Oskemen. In the 2023-2024 academic year, I served as a chemistry, STEAM, and robotics teacher at Harmony STEAM School in Astana.

After the years of experience working with different students, I realized how important to me strengthen my knowledge in Inclusive Education. I would like to conduct a research in terms of inclusive and special education and create differentiated STEAM curriculum for children with special needs.

After my Erasmus+ exchange at Sprachen & Dolmetscher Institut in Munich, Germany, I realized that I wanted to work in education, saying goodbye to my major in interpreting. I took a gap year after graduation, trying to figure myself out. This is how I ended up in a language school in Almaty working as a General English and IELTS teacher before applying to NU. Despite all the fear and uncertainty, this was a valuable experience that unleashed my aptitude for teaching and now I would like to continue my journey in teaching.

Honestly, I am feeling like a lost lamb in my academics, so I have a research interest in several subjects and am currently unsure of the one I will pick for my thesis.

I am excited to surround myself with such inspiring and hard-working intellectuals. I genuinely hope that we all will make a great change.