• 26 November 2024
• 485

RAKHAT KURMANBAYEV: Internship is an effective way to work at a foreign university

6 teachers-professors of Korkyt ata Kyzylorda University are improving their qualifications abroad within the framework of "500 Scientists" project of Bolashak program. Among them is the Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Rakhat Kurmanbayev.
Rakhat Khamitovich is undergoing a scientific internship at the University of Illinois, USA. A media center journalist contacted the scientist online and asked questions. We present to your attention the first interview published in the new rubric "Our scientist".
- How is your experience of studying abroad going?
- The 500 Scientists project is aimed at increasing the scientific potential of Kazakhstan and allows for the exchange of experience at leading universities in the world. Thanks to this program, I improve my professional knowledge by attending individual lectures by American scientists, various seminars and academic events in order to improve my language skills. In the future, I intend to contribute to the development of the country's education system. 
The United States of America pays special attention to education and is considered one of the most developed countries in this area. It uses the best management methods and strategies to improve the efficiency and quality of the education system.

- Are there any differences in the education system? 
- Of course there are, today the United States is a world leader in research, creation and implementation of advanced technologies, economic and industrial development.
Including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), one of the leading research universities in the United States. The university was founded in 1867 and is one of the best universities in the USA. UIUC is among the top 50 universities in the world. It is especially known for its educational, scientific, and production programs in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, computer science, and business.
- What difficulties were there in the learning process? Were there any language difficulties?
- In general, there is an adaptation process due to the environment change, which is natural. The time zone difference between Kazakhstan and the United States is 10 hours in summer and 11 hours in winter. There were also problems such as finding an apartment for a long time. These are all physiological, everyday trivial matters. But the main difficulty is the language barrier. This is due to the fact that, when getting into the language environment of an American University, it turns out that not everyone can join the circle of communication, preliminary practical competencies are required.





- What are your plans when coming back to Kazakhstan?
- I want to contribute to the further development of the academic and research fields of the department, the institute, applying in practice the knowledge and skills acquired at the end of the scientific internship. Therefore, in the future I want to develop research experience and open new projects in the field of ecology with foreign colleagues and, if possible, with the participation of scientists with whom I established contact during the internship. I will try to use the knowledge and experience gained during the internship to give students a modern education. 
- Do you plan to work abroad in the future?
- I think it would be right for a modern university scientist to complete a scientific internship at a foreign university. The main requirement is language competence. Today's requirement for every scientist is to realize various external academic mobility. It seems to me that this is also a profitable form of work at a foreign university.
Every scientist undergoing an internship through such programs should strive to make the most of this time to achieve their goals. Thus, the 500 Scientists project makes a great contribution to increasing the scientific potential of Kazakhstan. In addition, academic mobility promotes cooperation with foreign colleagues, the exchange of experience and the introduction of best practices in their country, strengthening international scientific ties.
P.S. When we sent a request to our hero, we did not take into account the time difference. When we wrote at 11:03 a.m. Kazakhstan time, it was 00:06 a.m. in the United States. Rakhat Khamitovich reacted with understanding and jokingly took away: "Let me sleep, I'll send it in the morning." Thus, with a difference of 12 hours, an opportunity presented itself for an informative and exciting interview. Thank you for fitting it into your schedule, despite the time difference!