President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited the Heriot-Watt branch at Zhubanov University
During a working trip to the Aktobe region, the Head of State got acquainted with the educational system of the university, located on the basis of Zhubanov University, and talked with students.
The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Tamara Duisenova, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Akim of the Aktobe region Askhat Shakharov and Rector of Heriot-Watt University Mark Bigs.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was presented with the scientific achievements of the university, new educational programs such as “electric power engineering”, “computer engineering”, “oil and gas engineering” and “energy management”.
The opening of a branch of the leading technical university Heriot-Watt in the region contributes to the integration of students from all over Kazakhstan and foreign countries. So, now the branch has 300 students from 9 regions of the country.
The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, noted in his speech that the main goal of the partnership with Heriot-Watt University is to improve the quality of education in accordance with international standards and train strong personnel for the Western region.
According to the rector of the Aktobe Regional University named after K. Zhubanov Laura Karabasova, the educational institution has now entered a new stage in the training of engineering personnel. Much work is being done to improve higher education and export knowledge to the global educational space.
Based on the President’s Address, an important agreement was reached with Heriot-Watt University, which is included in the list of the 250 best universities in the world. As stated in the Address, the introduction of new IT technologies should be accompanied by the training of specialists in this field. Taking this into account, the Aktobe university is preparing 160 students out of 300 admitted for IT specialties.
It should be noted that from this academic year, among those admitted to the branch of this educational institution, 35% of students from 9 regions of the country are graduates of rural schools and 42% are from various social categories in need of support.
Among the applicants who won the grant, there are not only Aktobe residents, but also graduates of West Kazakhstan, Mangistau, Kyzylorda, Akmola, Atyrau, Zhetysu regions, as well as the cities of Astana and Almaty.
Issues with accommodation for visiting students enrolled in the branch of the British higher education institution Heriot-Watt have been completely resolved. For Zhubanov University, the priority is to provide social support to students, therefore all conditions for living have been created in student dormitories.
Students received rooms in the new dormitory. In total, Zhubanov University has 4 dormitories with a total capacity of 2200 people.
The head of state spoke with Heriot-Watt students and wished them success in their studies.
During the conversation, university students thanked the President for the opportunity to study foreign programs and receive a double diploma according to international standards. An active student of the branch, Alexey Vysotsky, noted that the opening of branches of the best foreign universities stimulates young people to scientific and technological progress.
“Even though the learning process is difficult, we do everything possible to get a good and high-quality education. We are ready to use the knowledge we have acquired for the sake of a bright future for our country!” Alexey shared his opinion.