AlmaU for Sustainable Development
Development of the research and its further scaling and commercialization are one of the top priorities for the development of the university. Historically, AlmaU has mostly been a teaching institution, nevertheless all faculty members, students and staff students have an opportunity to participate in different activities to conduct research in collaboration with local and foreign partners as well as to join in dialogue and discussions on achievements, innovations, projects development, intellectual work and interdisciplinary studies. Topics completely match the AlmaU strategic objectives and look at sustainable social, environmental and economic problems. Among main AlmaU activities are joint projects, consulting services, organization of forums, conferences, workshops, round tables, short term educational programs.
University anti-poverty programs
There are 5 types of grants (scholarships) and discounts at AlmaU:
- academic (including President's, Rector's and Deans' scholarships)
- motivational
- marketing
- social
- corporate (for AlmaU faculty and staff and their family members)
- external (public, from foundations)
- Graduate School of Business (including "Limitlessly capable" project)
Academic. AlmaU participates in the system of state scholarships for the graduates of Kazakhstani schools who pass the Unified National Test (UNT). AlmaU provides academic and motivational scholarships for excellent study results (previous at school times and current at university) of talented, motivated students as part of social responsibility of the university. This includes President's, Rector's and Deans' scholarships.
Motivational. These discounts are designated for students from large families and for students (siblings) from the same family, for graduates of College MAB and other colleges, graduates of Alma School (part of AlmaU educational institutions' ecosystem), for the winners of Tamos Cup, AlmaU Open Cup, Til Bilgiri, Bilimkana academic olympiad in Kyrgyzstan, the awardees of student's contest "Altyn Tamga", AlmaU bachelor's degree holders applying for Master programs.
Marketing. These scholarship and discounts are provided for the winners of contests on particular program, for the new programs, for the applicants, who were enrolled earlier than others by the Marketing Department.
Social. AlmaU targets to admit students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group (or a more tightly defined target) in the country and has graduation/completion targets for students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group (or a more tightly defined target) in the country. Anti-poverty actions are based on the regulation "On educational grants and discounts" which is revised on an annual basis. AlmaU administration annually provides budget for social scholarships and financial aid for students. Social scholarships' are ranged starting from 5% till 100% discounts for orphan students, students with disabilities, for students whose parents have disabilities, for students from low-income families, students who lost one of the parents.
Corporate. The discount up to 100% can be awarded to university employees and their family members for bachelor's degree programs, master's degree programs, second higher education (bachelor's degree level), MBA, DBA and PhD programs.
External. AlmaU cooperates with local funds, associations, companies and organizations in order to attract scholarships and financial support for AlmaU students:
- Yerzhan Tatishev Foundation
- Association "KAZENERGY"
- Konrad Adenauer Fund
- Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation
- Qazaq Halqyna Fund
The discounts and grants by the Graduate School of Business
- 100% social grants to the winners of the "Limitlessly capable" project for the entire period of study on an MBA program.
- 20% discount for students with disabilities for and MBA program.
- 5% discount for students from large families.
- 10% discount if the students pays 100% of the tuition fee at once in the beginning of their studies. 5% - if the students pays 50% of the tuition fee at once in the beginning of the program.
- 5% discount for international students.
- 5% discount for graduates of bachelor's and master's programs at AlmaU, continuing their studies on MBA programs.
- 5% discount for the close relatives of the previous graduates of the GSB AlmaU MBA programs.
- Various corporate discounts for companies, who delegate groups of employees to study in the GSB AlmaU (5% for 3-5 people, 10% for 6-15 people, 15% for 15 and more people).
In 2021-2022 academic year AlmaU issued scholarships and discounts for over 600 students, including 200+ scholarships for students with disabilities or from socially vulnerable families. Total volume of scholarship in money equivalent exceeded 383 mln. tenge (0,9 mln. USD).
The university provides support (housing, legal services) for students from low income families to enable them to complete university. When applying to AlmaU, the 1st year students indicate, whether they need a place in a dormitory. University’s Infrastructure department gathers lists of students and supervises provision of places in dormitories. AlmaU student facilities include the Advisor center for student support and mentorship where students can apply for any consultations concerning academic (jointly with the Schools’ administrative staff), financial (jointly with accounting department), and legal issues (legal department).
AlmaU for many years had schemes to support poor students from low or lower-middle income countries thriugh the educational grants. AlmaU annually ran a contest Mega Chance for domestics and international students (two different contests), where personalized grants (100% discount for the cost of study) and discounts (75%, 50%) are awarded to the winners. In autumn, over 40 students continue their studies based on Mega Chance scholarships 100% grant for studies, 8 students got 100% grant in iTest contest (a contest organized by Bilim Media Group and AlmaU), over 10 people continue studies with 50-75% discount. 5 AlmaU students got grants offered by AlmaU in partnership with KazakhFilm JSC (a major local film studio). In 2021 AlmaU issued special scholarships for students from Afghanistan - bachelor's and master's. AlmaU runs annual foundation program for Afgani women starting from 2019 where Afgani students receive adaptation and daily consulting and mentor support provided by AlmaU international student managers.
Community anti-poverty programmes
The university assists the local community through the support, mentorship, consulting of start-ups, small businesses through relevant education or resources. AlmaU Centers’ and Schools’ teams provide assistance in the local community assisting the start-up of sustainable businesses through participation in projects, mentorship programs and training workshops. AlmaU Business Lifehacks - a series of free webinars on company management, marketing and sales, finance and investment, human resource management, and personal growth, the Ecosystem of student entrepreneurship project (ERG) – a project aimed at developing entrepreneurial education, improving the business climate and developing the economies of several regions in Kazakhstan, Creative Spark Big Idea Challenge (British Council) - an international pitching competition, designed to teach the basics of entrepreneurship and develop your idea. AlmaU has Center for creative industries and Centre for sustainable development, which coordinate initiatives on mentorship and training of SMEs and local communities. In 2021 AlmaU provided financial assistance to the local community assisting the start-up of sustainable businesses in a form of educational scholarships, project support and consulting. 65 educational grants were provided to academic staff of educational institutions-partners of the project "Ecosystem of student entrepreneurship". Then, Qaynar Bulaq Partners Hub provides free of charge urban coworking space and consulting for local communities. The idea is in networking and exchange of services and experience. Also, AlmaU organises trainings or short programs to improve access to basic services for all. A coworking space Qaynar Bulaq was opened for such purposes. In 2021, AlmaU ran open trainings and events on gender equality, epidemiological security, sustainability, impact and engagement, digitalization, and creativity, etc. Among events for school children there was a digital course on digital competencies, excursion on the Kazakhfilm studio, hard and soft skills trainings “Expert among us”.
The university strives to participate in policy making at local, regional, national and global levels to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions. Dr. Kozhakhmetov, AlmaU President and founder is currently a board member of CEEMAN, UN PRME, member of UNICEF Business Advisory Council. On behalf of AlmaU, he actively participates in policy making and promotes Third Mission of the university, commitment to SDGs, social responsibility. In 2021, AlmaU launched PRME Eurasian Chapter, joined Cintana Alliance, a network of the world’s most innovative institutions.
As an ecosystem of more than 4800 students, staff and faculty, Almaty Management University (AlmaU) is committed to following the ethical sourcing of food and supplies and environmentally friendly practices. AlmaU recognizes the impact it makes on the environment and the local society. The food is served on campus based on the local sanitary regulations and state standards. The food is obtained from the local suppliers as possible and is recycled in a way to minimize waste. The Sustainable Food Policy is available here. AlmaU has one student canteen, one student food corner and one cafeteria on campus. Campus catering is provided by third parties who run general measurement of food waste. Average annual amount of food waste about 1100kg (1.1 mt). If possible to organoze, food waste is sent to small agricultural farms located near Almaty.
Concerning SDG 2 indicator “Prevalence of undernourishment”, the country is on track of maintaining achievement of the goal. Thus, living and studying in biggest and economically developed city, our students and emplpoyees do not face issues of hunger or food insecurity. In Kazakhstan agriculture is one of the most developed industries of the country. Also, Kazakhstan borders with Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, China that supply agricultural products to the internal market at available prices. Top-managers of some large food producing companies and farms study at MBA programs and participate in AlmaU Extension executive education programs. AlmaU MBA graduates are representatives from different sectors including food production and agriculture of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Sustainablility issues are in the agenda of free public activities by Qaynar Bulaq Partners Hub - food producers and several farms, specialist in agriculture participate in the events and studies hosted by Qaynar Bulaq creative and coworking space.
Sports Management Center is a new division of AlmaU, which began its work in March 2022. One of the priorities of the Center is the implementation of programs in the field of Sports Management, including Sports Psychology, Cyber-Sports at the university. AlmaU's programs in the field of sports management are based on international experience and are taught with the participation of experts and professionals working in the industry. The "Sports Psychology" program is delivered in 2022-2023 academic year in a format of the second higher education (bachelor's program). The program consists of 20 disciplines.
The training takes place in a modular format and is focused on studying specialized disciplines, for example, such as "Psychology of Sports", "Psychological Counseling", "Motivation in Sports". Esports management, will be firstly delivered as the minor program. Esports is a new and growing industry. This program focuses on the training of highly professional specialists and managers in the field of eSports management.
AlmaU Sharmanov School of Health Sciences. In 2022, in accordance with the AlmaU-2030 Development Strategy, a decision was madeto to establish the School of Health Sciences as a step towards a new level of influence on the healthcare system of Kazakhstan. At the first stage, the branbd new school will deliver programs and trainings on the population's health promotion and improvement, nutrition and dietology, promotion of a healthy lifestyle and the idea of "corporate health" and work on research projects. In addition in the future it is planned to create nursing and pharmacy programs. The school is named after Toregeldy Sharmanov. Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Toregeldy Sharmanov made a huge contribution to the world and Kazakhstan health care. He was awarded the highest award of the World Health Organization - the Leon Bernard medal, he is also the founder and president of the Kazakh Academy of Nutrition. “The launch of the School will give a new impetus to health science and could have a significant impact on the healthcare system in Kazakhstan. I am sure that this event has become a starting point in the improvement of the population and will change the lives of Kazakhstanis for the better,” the Minister of Science and higher Education emphasized in his video speech on the openning ceremony.
In the Sport and Art Zone at AlmaU the following sport sections are available for student's choice: football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, sambo, jiu-jitsu, karate kyokushin, yoga, running, gym and hiking/alpinists club.
During the academic year, the university helds vaious sport events: football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis tournaments. AlmaU staff and students team is gathered for the annual Almaty Marathon.
AlmaU healthcare and insurance HR policy includes medical insurance for every employee with a 1 year work experiance at AlmaU. Current medical services provider is Healthcity.
The university occasionally organizes delivery of programs and projects in the local community as well as student volunteering programs at improvement or promotion of health & well-being including hygiene, nutrition, family planning, sports, exercise, aging well, and other health and wellbeing themes. Podcast of students of the Media and Film School @dorogaya_pdcst is about attitudes toward ourselves and others. We also share sports facilities with the local community, sport zone, football field.
Outreach educational activities for the wider community
AlmaU dedicates outreach educational activities for the community mainly through AlmaU Extension short programs, Institute for Education Development projects, Qaynar Bulaq events (coworking point for the community development through cooperation), the Schools’ projects (NGO Academy by the School of Politics and Law; Ecosystem of Entrepreneurship supported by ERG, Creative Spark project supported by British Council by the School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation), AlmaU Mountain Club hiking and travels, Alumni Association events and Refresh program. Service-learning course is a unique for the country project by the School of Politics and Law, charity events are organized by DOS, Remus and SDG Legion student clubs.
The Graduate School of Business was conducting a series of free webinars from GSB faculty and invited guest lecturers within the framework of the AlmaU Business Lifehacks project. Lectures covered themes on company management, marketing and sales, finance and investment, human resource management, as well as personal growth trainings. The main goal of the project was to contribute to the nonformal education and help students and graduates, as well as all citizens of Kazakhstan, endure the difficult lockdown days of the coronavirus pandemic. The start of the project was in March 2020, the total number of master classes held from March 2020 to March 2021 was 44 webinars. PR, announcement of events was on social networks like Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, via mailing, WhatsApp newsletters. The database of e-mail contacts was 10,000, including the database of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan. Live broadcasts, recordings of webinars are available on the official pages of the GSB on Facebook, YouTube. The total number of views of webinars on the YouTube channel was 7,000, on the Facebook page - 70,400. Target audience: mainly students and graduates of the GSB, who take positions of top and middle management, and about 20% are chief specialists with work experience. Age range is 25-45 years old. 95% are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 5% are foreign citizens.
Key initiatives:
Strategic Partnership with Cintana Education. ASU and its international enablement partner, Cintana Education, are working together to build the Cintana Alliance. The Cintana Alliance is a global network of innovative and forward-looking universities working together to bring the best of higher education to every one of their students. Cintana Alliance affiliated universities have been carefully selected and now have the opportunity to be “Powered by ASU”, gaining access to coordinated degree programs where students can visit and study with ASU in Tempe, the ability to enroll their students directly in ASU online courses, international exchange programs for students and faculty, and research collaboration opportunities.
Almaty Management University (AlmaU) initiated the expansion of the institution’s academic programs in order to serve the fast-growing demand for postsecondary education across Kazakhstan and Central Asia. As part of the initiative, in 2021, the university has joined the Cintana Alliance, enabling its students to benefit from collaboration with some of the world’s most innovative institutions. In addition to benefitting from cutting-edge curriculum and learning practices, AlmaU students will have the opportunity to earn a degree from the Alliance’ flagship partner, Arizona State University. Among about hundred institutions in the country, AlmaU was selected to join the Cintana Alliance, a global network of ambitious universities working together to build and scale high-quality academic programs that respond to their country’s economic needs. As a member of the Cintana Alliance, AlmaU will have access to Arizona State’s online curriculum and expertise in digital learning earning, insights into how to build a world-class research program, and articulation agreements that enable students to earn an Arizona State credential or degree. AlmaU works with Cintana’s team of experts who have decades of experience in building and growing universities around the world. The collaboration between Arizona State and AlmaU is expected to strengthen domestic higher education and promote Kazakhstan's brand in the international scientific and academic environment.
Cintana Alliance Networking Activities. In 2022, Cintana Education, within the framework of the Alliance, launched a research program for interdisciplinary international groups of researchers. AlmaU faculty submitted 12 topics in the areas of Smart Cities, Sustainable Transportation, Community health, Food Safety/systems, Educational Innovations, Neuromarketing, Democracy observatory. The program provides for the creation of a joint research group from partner universities of Cintana Education for the implementation of joint research. The research will be conducted on the basis of partner universities, which will be identified as the main performer. In 2023,, the university will be participating in the online school for teachers and staff of partner universities of the Cintana-Alliance, with the involvement of experts from all partner universities of the Cintana-Alliance. Based on the results of the training, teachers and staff of partner universities in mixed teams will form and defend a project that is aimed at solving specific tasks in the university's business processes (with obtaining a certificate). Interactive trainings are planned to be conducted in English for 4 weeks for 10 hours of engagement per week. In 2022 AlmaU faculty was engaged in the Cintana´s Faculty Mobility initiative, up to date 2 faculty members are planning their teching visit to the South America in Fall 2023. As part of the AlmaU KPI system, indicators for capacity building for publications of faculty and staff together with partner universities of the Cintana Alliance in peer-reviewed scientific publications indexed by Scopus and (or) WoS databases are incorporated. In addition, within the framework of the Cintana Education research program, joint publications in international journals are provided as results. Apart from the faculty mobility, student exchange is to be started in 2023.
Babson Collaborative Networking Activities
International programs and academic mobility. Cooperation with foreign higher institutions, organizations and associations is one of the strategic directions of Almaty Management University. The aim of internationalization is to enhance AlmaU's reputation in the international arena as a leader in higher education by integrating projects, curricula, academic staff, administrative staff and students into the global learning community. A network of international partners plays an primordial role in the development of international cooperation, as well as in the integration of AlmaU into the global educational and scientific environment. AlmaU maintains stable partnerships with many foreign universities and international associations in Europe, Asia, America and the CIS. AlmaU has an extensive network of international partners from more than 130 universities in 35 countries. AlmaU is also a member of more than 25 local and international associations and organizations.
Lifelong Learning concept was integrated in the updated AlmaU Strategy-2030 (2022) including silver age university initiatives. AlmaU Executive Education Center transformed into AlmaU Extension (2021). AlmaU Extension offers 100+ non-degree short programs per year from 50+ business trainers & coaches. AlmaU is a key provider of executive education on the market - 33000+ learners to date.
Since 2009, the implementation of professional development programs for top management is delivered by the Institute for Education Development. Rectors and vice-rectors of universities (more than 100 people) directors and head teachers of schools (400 people), colleges (300 people), university teachers, colleges and secondary school teachers from different regions of Kazakhstan (more than 600 people) studied on the short term and long term (MBA in Education Management or University Management project) programs.
AlmaU has launched a project “University Management 2020”. This was a unique intensive program designed as per the special order of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (at that time). The project was incorporated with the State development program of education and science for 2020-2025. It has been designed and run by AlmaU Institute of Education Development. The purpose of the training was to increase the efficiency of higher education institutions via building the capacity of the rector and vice-rector cohorts of the Republic of Kazakhstan: the 25 CEOs of national, state and private universities of Kazakhstan eager to increase their personal competitiveness and achieve success in management activities. In 2021 programme was launched for 33 senior and middle level managers of the University of Geological Sciences (UGS) of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Bolashaq program internships. AlmaU continiously participates in arranging of a fellowship program for the AlmaU staff and faculty to pass the internship in highly-ranked / world-class universities with the Bolashaq funding. The fellowship program is subject to competitive selection by the state-owned Center of International Programs. In 2013 34 AlmaU Leadership, Staff & Faculty participated in the intership programme in BerkeleyHaas School of Business (USA), and buiness schools of United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Singapore. In 2020 and 2021 7 AlmaU staff and faculty have been awarded scholarships by the Bolashaq programme for internship in University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Michigan State University. Programme of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign includes individual study and research opportunities in higher education, teaching and learning technologies. This program is to help the Bolashaq fellows broaden their international outlook, develop innovative ideas, study new models in learning and teaching, and enhance their awareness of higher education developments and trends.
AlmaU strives for gender equalty and diversity by offering equal opportunities for study, work, self-development and networking. 60 % of AlmaU students are women (statistics of female students - women's application rate - 3-NK Table 4). Programs and extra-curricula activities are aimed to empower young women for life, professional growth, and sustainable performance. AlmaU tracks the application and acceptance and entry rate for women to maintain the gender balance in the student body. AlmaU staff & faculty: 75% are women. About 70% of senior academic staff are female.
Gender equality events
The university measures women's entry rates. The marketing department measures female application, and enrollment statistics and reports to the Academic Council annually in September. In early October on an annual basis, AlmaU sends a report measuring women's application rate, acceptance/entry rate, and study completion to the government - Kazakhstani Ministry of higher education and science annually tracks women's application rate, acceptance/entry rate, and study completion rate at the country level.
According to the Agency for Strategic planning and reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Bureau of National statistics data on Gross enrolment rate for higher education, by sex in Kazakhstan was 70.35% in 2020 (Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 4: 4.3.2 Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education by sex (administrative data)). For AlmaU in 2021, the acceptance rate was 64,6% for female students.
Over 70% of AlmaU scholarships are allocated to female students. Since 2019 AlmaU runs a project for Afghan women, for 3 years of the project 90 women studied in AlmaU foundation program and received scholarships supported by the EU and UNDP. In AlmaU the girls received language training and cultural immersion courses. The academic scholarship is designed to give Afghan women and girls the opportunity to receive education and acquire professional skills. By improving Afghan women's access to quality higher education, the initiative aims to build resilience in Afghanistan and in a broader region of Central Asia. As a part of the Limitlessly capable project at the Graduate School of Business, a woman entrepreneur, Zakhira Begaliyeva, received a grant for education in the MBA program. In 2021, her achievements were confirmed by a silver award in MBA Leadership Award at AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2022.
As AlmaU follows the standards of AMBA & BGA, as well as is committed to the UN SDGs, the university encourages applications of female students to IT programs and MBA programs. According to the QS MBA and EMBA rankings’ analyses, GSB AlmaU is highly ranked by female students and female faculty rates. Out of 280 enrolled MBA students in 2021, 159 are women, which makes 56.8% of female students among overall student body.
In course of the two phases of the project, 90 women from Afghanistan received language training at AlmaU. The academic scholarship gives Afghan women and girls the opportunity to get an education and acquire professional skills. By improving Afghan women's access to quality higher education, the initiative aims to build resilience in Afghanistan and the wider region of Central Asia. The scholarship covered undergraduate, graduate, and TVET (additional professional education) programs. All programs provided language training, which helped students improve their level of academic English and, thus, prepare them for studying in their main specialty. In AlmaU, along with intensive English language courses, students also studied Russian and Kazakh languages, which are needed in everyday life. As part of the cultural adaptation program, AlmaU organized several trips, including a trip to Nur-Sultan, so that the project participants could learn more about the country in which they will live before graduation. EU/UNDP project in Kazakhstan “Supporting economic empowerment of Afghan women through education and training in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan” has been completed with the result of educating 90 women from Afghanistan.
Following the idea of an impactful university, AlmaU focuses on its third mission to contribute to the creation of environmental value beyond its campus. “Uly Balqash Shaqyrady” (In Kazakh: Great Balqash Lake is calling) project that was initiated and run by the GSB team is aimed to preserve the nature and fauna of Lake Balqash, which is the 15th largest lake in the world. It is unique, because its western part is fresh water, and the eastern half is saline. The goal of this environmental campaign is to attract public attention to the problems of pollution and ecological damage of the Lake and to boost domestic tourism. The project is implemented with the support from the domestic companies and the Kazakhstan Geographic Society. The icy trips “Uly Balqash Shagyrady” headed by Dr. Kozhakhmetov, AlmaU President, took place in winter of 2019 (50 participants) and winter of 2020 (100 participants). The idea is based on a 24 km long walk across the lake by businessmen, journalists, athletes, public leaders and students (mostly GSB) who have a chance to network and share their insights on various societal topics.
Almaty Management University intends to realize further energy savings by paying close attention to energy management. For now, the whole building is equipped with energy efficient lightnings. Responsible energy consumption is promoted around the campus. Lighting is energy-saving, and it set to turn off automatically in certain corridors.Renovation works are partly in process. Starting from the end 2021 till now, AlmaU has spent more than 500 mln KZT on renovation of facilities and some parts of the campus (over 1 mln USD ).
The labor agreements concluded between Educational Institution «Almaty Management University» (employer) and the employee are guided by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including the Labor Code.
AlmaU labor agreements (both employment contract or civil contracts) comply with the national legislation norms. AlmaU showcases its commitment against forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labour.
AlmaU working conditions comply with the national legislation standards, are guided by the best human ressources and organizational practices. Working environment and culture comprise:
- A team of professionals and like-minded people
- High requirements for the quality of teaching
- Development of an entrepreneurial culture
- Academic freedom
- Benefits of trilateral partnership with ASU and Cintana Education
- Generation of knowledge beyond academic disciplines
- Commitment to the success of every unique employee
AlmaU has the aspiration to be a comprehensive world-class university, therefore STEM education is a priority. Partnership with the industry may also create favourable conditions for university spin-offs and further research.
AlmaU School of Tourism and Hospitality runs dual programs with world's famous hotels (Rixos, Rahat Palace - Hyatt, Ritz Carlton) and double degrees with Swiss Education Group - the programs include internships at famous hotel chains in Europe. AlmaU Media and Film School is located on the territory of Qazaqfilm (the Kazakhstan’s largest film studio). AlmaU has launched Media and Film School of in partnership with Qazaqfilm : joint program “Digital film making”, joint activity & Dual studies, Qazaqfilm infrastructure for hands-on experience, scholarships for students.
Technology Commercialization Center has been launched in AlmaU in 2022 as a connecting point between researchers & industry, which would create new revenue source. AlmaU successfully presented its newly established Center in the format of a round table with participation of businessmen, industry experts, academia, and venture investors. Delegates discussed best practices for dissemination in the sphere of commercialization of Deep-Tech scientific innovations to provide effective solutions for complex industrial problems in August 2022.
"Zeynep" Multidisciplinary College. AlmaU has been developing education in rural areas for 14 years. Within the framework of this initiative, the opening of a college in the North Kazakhstan contributes to the strengthening of human capital in the region. This approach also aimed to improve the local standard of living. In the future, it will reduce negative urbanization trends and improve the region’s development. The need to open a college and the formation of a concept for the development of a rural area is dictated by deep changes in the country's development priorities and a radical change in the vision and meaning of all actors of rural development. The rural education development now consists not only of the transfer of qualitatively new professional and technical competencies, but also of the disclosure of the individual skills for self-realization, productive interaction with society and the natural ecosystem of the village. A modern rural college should see itself as the center of educational attraction for the local community to achieve their potential for self-realization and as the paradigm of creating entrepreneurial points of growth for the good of society. The main idea behind the transformation of Zeynep College was its evolution into a modern innovative multidisciplinary and multifunctional educational ecosystem, attracting students from neighboring regions, training of highly skilled professionals with entrepreneurial mindset and high moral qualities and legal knowledge. The village, where the college was renovated, is called Lobanovo. The old building reconstruction was the main challenge before the opening of the college. AlmaU team planned to make the building more comfortable and suitable for study. The college was overhauled and equipped with a material and technical facilities and resources. A modern innovative multidisciplinary and multifunctional educational ecosystem covers the following professional areas: agriculture (agricultural production, animal husbandry, beekeeping), tourism and travel (ecotourism and agrotourism, seasonal specifics of tourism), service activities (hotel business and catering), IT and robotics, including agricultural purposes, management and entrepreneurship in the countryside, pedagogy for preschool and elementary learning. Village residents as well as students from another 5 Kazakhstani regions are currently studying at the college. According to the head of the region, the college can train about 500 people. The state also allocated about 100 scholarships. Currently, there are 90 students enrolled in the college in 2022. The regional government plans to make the Imantau-Shalkar resort area as popular as the North Kazakhstan's Burabay resort area, develop the tourist influx and improve the services’ quality. Therefore, specialists in management, hotel and restaurant business will be needed. According to the plans of the government, students will be trained in the Imantau-Shalkar resort area during their studies.
Service learning course is the unique example of the Third Mission realization by Kazakhstani university. Although such service learning course is a unique case for Kazakhstan, many approaches of service learning realization exist around the world. AlmaU partners in different parts of the world have their own vision on community service and service learning concepts. In Fall 2015, for first time in Kazakhstan, AlmaU launched the new and original educational program oriented to thre first-year bachelor students and compulsory for all programs and majors. The major goal of service learning course is to achieve greater efficiency serving the community through additional mobilization of efforts, increasing the scale and degree of students engagement, going and exploring “beyond the walls” of the University. The School of Politics and Law AlmaU provides the service learning course and educates students to design and implement impactful, community-oriented projects. In partnership with civic society, representatives of NGOs and government authorities. This course seeks to promote training in the field of community services and prepare students to become professionals and responsible citizens. During their studies, students get through the main concepts and definitions of Sustainable Development Goals by UN, human rights and inclusiveness. To date, the service learning course has more than 30 partners, 150 realized impactful projects, more than 50 thousands hours of project work and is delivered in Kazakh, Russian and English languages. In 2017, the service learning course was awarded CEEMAN Champions Awards in nomination “The Responsible Management Education”.
AlmaU’s collaboration with Lehigh University
AlmaU Urban Center
The participation of all members of society, regardless of life circumstances, in the social, political and economic field should be mandatory for tangible changes to come true in the country. Inclusive education requires support from both the state and business. This is not just an item of expenditure, but an investment in the future of our country. The “Limitlessly Capable” scholarship has become not just a one-time project, but part of the University's CSR and commitment to national wellbeing. Support for people with disability is necessary for the development of inclusion in the country, and especially their representation in national entrepreneurship. Our project is a contribution to creating a barrier-free environment for everyone and demonstrate our students’ limitless capabilities.
In 2021, the first graduate of the project Zakhira Begalieva, a former MBA student of the GSB AlmaU, class of 2017, reached the final stage in the MBA Leadership Award 2022 nomination and received a silver. Zakhira Begaliyeva is currently working at Public Foundation “ITeachMe” Center for Competence Development and her foundation is considered one of the best transparent and reliable partners in corporate social responsibility and at the moment it has more than 60 business partners. After completing the MBA programme she has become the founder of the project "Leader Z-professional online school for people with disabilities", which is aimed at teaching young people with disabilities modern specialties in the digital sphere and assisting in their further employment. The project received support from the Fund for the Development of Social Projects "Samruk-Kazyna Trust" and PwC Kazakhstan. MBA studies have helped Zakhira to open her inner capabilities to be a leader. She has transformed from a chief accountant to an entrepreneur who changed her life and the lives of many people around her.
Another MBA student, a holder of “Limitlessly Capable” scholarship from GSB, center "Asar" to help people with disabilities. Helping people became ldos did not break down: he learned to walk again and now teaches others to walk. "If the accident hadn't put me in a wheelchair, I wouldn't have gotten back on my feet as a Person," he says. The long rehabilitation prompted him to create a social project that helps people believe in their strength and get back on their feet. In 2013, he began his career as a programmer in the Society of Disabled People "Alakol, qualification courses for the operation of acquired rehabilitation simulators. https://clck.ru/sKiDk
Social scholarships are provided on a competitive basis. We support the desire of contestants to overcome social inequality by gaining new knowledge, developing their own business ideas and advancing their career. The participants of the competition are people with disability who strive to start or continue improving their business, achieve new successes in their careers, and create better conditions for other people with disability.
In 2016, the project was nominated in a category "Student Support" at the 4th Award Ceremony of social and corporate projects organized by the European Business Association of Kazakhstan (EUROBAK).
We would like to tell you about several of our graduates, what an impact they are making on Kazakhstani society. Their stories will tell more about the project and its impact than any formal description.
Aitbek Aulbayev suffered loss of vision, which began after the car accident. For Kazakhstani context he is a unique person, as he was one of the few fathers in Kazakhstan who used the right to go on maternity leave, and more than once. Fathers who are fully involved in the process of raising their children up to three or four years old are a minority in Kazakhstan - only 6.6 percent. Such data is shown by the UNICEF cluster study for 2015. Aitbek took his first maternity leave shortly after the birth of his son. At the same time, Aitbek's wife went to work. For six months, he got used not only to how to take care of the child, but also to the loss of vision that began after the accident. The second maternity leave was taken in 2016, after the birth of her daughter. By that time, Aitbek had finally gone blind and officially registered a disability. “Before” the accident, Aitbek was an assistant to the mayor of a small Balkhash city, then director of the public procurement department and head of the legal service in a large metropolitan company. “After" - unemployed, but he met the love of his life, became a caring husband and father of two daughters, opened his own company and entered the university at the age of 38. And all this with absolute blindness. Aitbek tried to find an employment but failed, so his wife and him decided to open a children's inclusive educational center. Their small business existed for one year on investor’s money but was closed due to unprofitability. At this moment, Aitbek decided to get an MBA. He said, that “being a student at 38, I'll tell you, is a lot of fun! Saniya (wife) helps me: she reads assignments and tests out loud, I say the correct answers. I'm dictating an essay, and she's typing. It turns out that together again, as a team, we get an education.” https://clck.ru/sKjNi , https://clck.ru/sKmDf
Another current student who is on his way to defend a master’s thesis is Ilyas <span .="" 1px="" 8aaaaaaaaaach5baeaaaialaaaaaafaaqaaaiilgaxcchrtcgaow="=" );"="" a="" activities="" alarm="" all="" and="" any="" applications="" bank="" border-bottom:="" cannot="" chats="" class="AdvancedProofingIssue SCXW232118424 BCX0" computer="" data:image="" for="" he="" his="" imagine="" in="" life="" messengers.="" on="" pays="" programs="" purchases="" r0lgodlhbqaeajecap="" r0lgodlhbqaeapabajttfaaaach5bauaaaealaaaaaafaaqaaaifja2jelcaow="=" reads="" s="" smartphone.="" solid="" span="" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-repeat: repeat-x; background-position: left bottom; background-image: url(" ");"="" the="" through="" up="" using="" wakes="" without="" works="">are connected with gadgets. Ilyas lost his sight at the age of 16, after retinal surgery. Now he teaches people with visual disabilities digital technologies. Ilyas began teaching people with visual disabilities back in 2014, when he worked at the “Zhanar” rehabilitation center. In 2017, Ilyas began his public activities and began working in a public association of people with disabilities, and since 2019 he is a head of it. With the team, he launched several small projects for people with disabilities: language courses, guitar playing courses, special typhoid training (tools that help to perceive visual information by ear) and other initiatives. Later, Ilyas moved to the Asian Society for the Rights of Disabled People “Zhan”, and in 2020 he became the head. Now the organization employs 120 people with disabilities. https://clck.ru/sJ4aU
Campus Facilities. In Almaty, AlmaU has its own territory with an area of about 1.8 hectares. The educational building consists of two buildings – an academic building (total area 15844, 9 m2), a sports complex with 4 sports halls (total area 1754 m2). The campus area also includes a football field (area of 800 m2), two parking zones for staff and students. The buildings are disability inclusive – classrooms, elevators, ramps, parking spaces are specially adapted. In February 2018, the construction of a six-story Knowledge Building, with a total area of 5365 m2, was completed. The AlmaU campus is developing both in sense of expanding opportunities and inclusive environment, and in sense of improving the quality of services. Useful area is 10673,3 m2 which makes around 2,3 sq.m. per student, not considering 2 shifts, students from representative offices and distance/online learning students. All computer classes and laboratories have passports, permits of the sanitary inspection and fire protection for their operation.
AlmaU Sustainable Policies
Research and Development
Student and Industry Sustainable Events
AlmaU Campus Facilities
Sustainable Curriculum
AlmaU’s collaboration with Lehigh University
AlmaU Sustainable Policies
Research and Development
Student, Industry and City Sustainable Events
AlmaU Campus Facilities
Sustainable Curriculum
AlmaU Sustainable Policies
Research and Development
Student, Industry and City Sustainable Events
AlmaU Campus Facilities
Sustainable Curriculum
Collective monograph “In Search of an Effective Model of University in Kazakhstan” by 45 authors and 12 universities. The book was published for the 30th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Contributors - 12 universities from 7 cities in Kazakhstan. Group of authors - 45 researchers. Contents - 11 chapters, 18 Kazakhstani and international cases. Each chapter has a commentary from international and Kazakhstani experts. The book is about higher education in Kazakhstan in the context of world trends, impact of universities on economy and social sphere, development of entrepreneurial universities, managerial thinking of university leaders, sustainable development of universities, role of universities in research and lifelong learning.
Support of rural education. AlmaU has been developing education in rural areas for 14 years. Project “Support to rural teachers” exists since 2008. There have been 362 rural teachers who have successfully completed the training on leadership, managerial and teaching competences and interactive and innovative teaching methods. This project is the example of sustainable social value creation that can be replicated by any other institution in the world. Social Project is aimed to build a cohort of schoolteachers from rural areas who possess strong leadership, managerial skills and able to apply innovative teaching methods.
The activities of the School of Politics and Law are inextricably linked with the state and society, the internal and foreign policy of the state and the political, social, and economic processes taking place in society.
The School is focused on training highly effective managers in the public sector, managers and specialists of the civil and non-governmental sector, certified lawyers. The students are prepared to become a state and public figures, engaging in active social and socio-political activities, helping society to solve modern problems.
One of the main events organized by the Schools is the annual international conference "Public Trust and Social Capital". The discussion of the conference participants focuses on both the existing opportunities for building constructive relationships between government institutions and civil society and the challenges that currently hold back this process. Every December, eminent figures from academia, government, business, international organizations, NGOs and the media will attend the event as speakers and participants. This conference is a unique platform for the exchange of views, knowledge and best practices. As a rule the results of studies of the level of public trust in Kazakhstan are presented at the conference. In 2022, the Francis Fukuyama's book "Trust" - "Senim" translated for the first time in Kazakh language by «Steppe and World» publishing house was presented.
Robotics Lab
Cyber Range Lab
Neuromarketing & Neuromanagement Lab
Oratory Lab
Tea Room – Hospitality Lab
Courtroom
Coworking room of the Uxiship project
Institute for Education Development
AlmaU Extension
Sport Management Centre
Urban Center
Language Center
Creative Industries Center
Center for Online Education
Center for SDGs & ESG
Center for European Studies Center
Center of Political Studies
Laboratory of Happiness
Qaynar Bulaq
Center for SDGs & ESG sees its mission in promotion of the sustainable development agenda, education of new leaders and developing innovative solutions in the field of sustainable development of society, government and business. Creation of international partnerships between the Center for SDGs & ESG, UN agencies and the corporate sector is a crucial condition for urther implementation of ambitious projects to achieve the SDGs and ESG. AlmaU, being a socially responsible university, expands its tasks, and considers one of its strategic directions to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs 2030.
UN PRME Initiative. AlmaU is proud to be a Signatory Member at the PRME community. We are committed to aligning our own strategies and operations with the global goals and PRME Principles. AlmaU as a socially responsible university has been a committed PRME signatory since 2009. Its progress reports are available here. For the period of 2020-2022, AlmaU President Assylnek Kozhakhmetov was a PRME Board member. The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007. Working through Six Principles, PRME engages business and management schools to ensure they provide future leaders with the skills needed to balance economic and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and aligning academic institutions with the work of the UN Global Compact. As a voluntary initiative with over 800 signatories worldwide, PRME has become the largest organised relationship between the United Nations and management-related higher education institutions.