• 03 December 2024
• 359

We are connected by a focus on the quality of education

Guest of the rubric "Our scientist" Kamar Nazarbekovna Beketova, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor of Department "Economics and Management" of Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University. Kamar Beketova, a participant in the 500 Scientists project of Bolashak International Program, is undergoing a scientific internship at the University of Reading (Great Britain).

- Kamar Nazarbekovna, how is your new stage of life going, what are your impressions of the UK, where are you having your scientific internship?

- First of all, I was amazed by the methods of organizing the educational process and the support that the university provides to its students. Great attention is paid to details, ranging from logistics to the activities of academic supervisors. Great Britain surprises with its cultural diversity and, at the same time, deep respect for traditions. Favorable and good atmosphere is felt throughout.

The city of Reading, with its peaceful environment and modern amenities, has created ideal conditions for my scientific work and personal development. The city is located between Bristol, Oxford and London in the south of England. This is rather developed old town, its history goes back over 1000 years. It was here, while in a local prison, that Oscar Wilde wrote his confession "From the Depths." The famous ICMA School of Economics was founded on the basis of the university. Young people come here from many cities in Central England, creating a particularly noisy and cheerful flair.

Immersion in the local academic culture, access to extensive libraries and innovative research centers, as well as communication with colleagues from different countries opened up new perspectives for me. The impression that I am at the center of an advanced scientific community inspires me to further achievements, motivates and inspires me very much.

- Please tell us about the university where you study. And, if possible, about the research that was the basis of your scientific internship.

- My research internship is carried out at the University of Reading, one of the leading educational and research institutions in the UK, with rich practice and modern approach to learning. Founded in 1892, it is now one of the top 30 universities in the country and actively cooperates with the leading educational and advanced centers of the world. The University is known for its interdisciplinary research in areas such as education management, climatology, economics, scientific technologies, especially famous for its achievements in the field of meteorology, agriculture, and business.

My internship is conducted within the framework of the 500 Scientists project of Bolashak International program.  My research covers the topic

"Leadership in education". The purpose of the research is to study leadership strategies in universities and their impact on the quality of education. Leadership in the education system, in various areas of management, leadership of organizations in the educational services market, it is a very extensive topic. The issue is considered from different points of view, including issues of rights and opportunities for the development of individual citizens and, in general, future generations. I am very interested in how different management approaches create opportunities for an innovative and inclusive educational environment. Undoubtedly, leadership is at the heart of quality education and is an important factor explaining learning outcomes.

Working at the University of Reading gives me the opportunity to interact with international colleagues, use advanced research methods, to systematize, improve and expand knowledge in the field of education management.

The learning environment at Reading is conducive to both academic and professional development, providing students and interns with access to modern laboratories, libraries, research centers and IT infrastructure. The university campus is a kind of multicultural space where students and researchers from more than 150 countries study, which makes it a real center for international cooperation and exchange of experience.

- What similarities and differences have you found in the educational methods of Kazakhstan and the UK?

There are many similarities in the educational systems of Kazakhstan and the UK. The first is the focus on the quality of education. In the countries, great attention is paid to the quality of the educational process and the professional development of teachers, new educational technologies and innovative approaches are actively used.

The second is international orientation. In our countries, educational programs strive to be competitive in the international arena. Both systems include the integration of international experience and partnerships with foreign universities. And the third similarity is the support of scientific research. Research support programs are actively developing in Kazakhstan and the UK, especially in the field of higher education and management.

There are also differences. There is a different approach to learning here, in the UK the educational process is more focused on independent learning of students and the development of critical thinking skills. Students follow the principles of academic freedom in choosing topics for research and projects. In Kazakhstan, on the contrary, more attention is paid to the transfer of knowledge from teachers to students. In the UK the teacher often acts as a mentor facilitator who guides students, but does not impose ready-made solutions on them. In Kazakhstan, the role of the teacher is often more authoritarian, with an emphasis on the transfer of necessary knowledge and control over the learning process.

In the UK, great importance is attached to the formative dimension, that is, there is regular feedback that helps students improve their learning outcomes.

There is a big difference in infrastructure and access to resources. Universities in the UK have more developed access to modern libraries, databases and laboratories. There is an active development of higher education in Kazakhstan, but access to resources, especially in regional universities, is more limited.

My academic work in the UK allows me to adapt and integrate best practices of online systems. This is especially important for the development of the higher education system in Kazakhstan.

- Foreign education is not only about studying and the implementing the research plans. It is also a cultural exchange. What new things have you discovered while communicating with students from other countries? What experience have you gained?

Communication with students and scientists from different countries is a unique opportunity to get acquainted with cultural peculiarities, traditions and approaches to learning and research.

An important discovery was that different cultures have different approaches to solving problems, perceiving knowledge and building teamwork. For example, I have noticed that some students actively use collective discussions and debates to develop critical thinking, while others focus on individual learning and analysis. One of the most valuable acquisitions for me was the experience of intercultural communication. This not only broadens the horizons, but also helps to adapt to any style of communication, which is important in an international academic environment. I also learned to appreciate different points of view and see them as sources of innovative ideas and solutions. In addition, I witnessed how different approaches to leadership and management in education are applied in different contexts. This experience is especially valuable for my current research work.

- Thank you for an interesting conversation!

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