AlmaU takes a new focus in teachers’ development

The Centre for Teaching Excellence (CTE) team conducted a meeting with academic staff of the university on September 12. The First Vice Rector Almagul M. Kanagatova and new Director of the centre Gaukhar Nursha announced news of the centre, explained reasons for merging the centre with the Institute for Education Development and clarified requirements for annual excellency level contest for academic staff.

The key point of the meeting was on new conditions for identifying excellency levels of teachers. Starting from this year, AlmaU teachers can apply to four ranks: “Moderator Teacher”, “Expert Teacher”, “Researcher Teacher” and “Master Teacher”. This year’s novelty would be the way selected candidates present their projects in front of the Committee – an in-house walk-in mode. The excellency level will increase parallel to requirements and wage level. Team of the centre believes that such opportunities will increase motivation of teachers to improve their professional skills.

Furthermore, the Centre for Teaching Excellence will focus on young academic professionals development. In 2018-2019 academic year, young teachers can be a part of a new “ULES” program, designed using elements of the best international practices. The Kazakh word "ULES" is translated as “contribution” and the acronym is decrypted as: “U” - unite peers, “L” - always continuous, “E” – “excel above standards”, “S” - search for new avenues. The program offers each young instructor intensive training course for career planning.

“University academic staff and employees identified as HiPO are its key assets.” – declares AlmaU Strategy. In accordance with this, “Professor Emeritus” title was implemented in 2018. Distinguished professors Nina V. Nikiforova, Madina R. Smykova, Alma B. Temirbulatova, Irina G. Khan were recognized as «Professor Emeriti». “Professor Emeritus” title relieves its owner from daily duties and assessment, for his/her boundless contribution to the university and the country. 

Almagul Kanagatova also urged academic staff to participate in consulting projects and “MBA in Education Manegement” run by the university. The reason for attracting AlmaU academic staff is in transformation of the Institute for Education Development into separate School starting from the next academic year. 

CTE wishes a productive academic year to all colleagues and invites everyone to the centre.