Rick Shangraw: only 2% of Kazakh professors publish in foreign publications
Rick Shangraw, President of the Cintana Education, visited AlmaU. He gave a lecture on "Building a Use-Inspired Research University for the 21st Century".
The President of the Cintana Education, Rick Shangrow, gave a guest lecture on the topic "Building a Research-Oriented University in the 21st Century". During his lecture, Dr. Shangrow noted how few professors and students from Kazakhstan participate in research and publish in scientific journals. Dr. Shangrow's main idea was to explain how to make research useful and find funding.
R. F. “Rick” Shangraw, Jr., Ph.D.
Current state of Kazakh research universities
There are several reasons why Kazakhstan is so far behind. Firstly, the structure of the Soviet Union presupposes the separation of scientific activity from teaching. Secondly, the state sponsors mainly research centers and public research institutes, but not research at universities. According to him, these two concepts cannot exist separately. However, research collaboration has increased over the past few years. For example, from 2018 to 2020, foreign scientists participated in 478 Kazakh research projects.
Why do universities need to do research?
It is important for the university to conduct research because it is useful for the current and future generation. Secondly, this is the relationship between the teacher and the student, the university and the student. In general, this helps to achieve better results and mutual understanding. Thirdly, the university and the professor will be able to receive funding for research and work. Moreover, research at the university has a beneficial effect on the reputation of the university. And reputation is directly related to university rankings on the world stage.
How to secure funding?
This is the most important question that should appear in the minds of researchers. You can come up with an idea and seek funding or vice versa. Don't be afraid to make mistakes! After all, results come with experience. We need to work with errors. Spend time getting to know the leaders of research programs in government agencies. Then look for opportunities to propose.
What infrastructure is needed for this?
- Good library.
- Individual support.
- Administration that understands research activity.
- Required equipment.
- Communication technology.
We remind you that in 2021, among 100 Kazakhstani universities, it was AlmaU that was selected to join Cintana Alliance, a global network of universities working together to create high-quality academic programs that meet the needs of their countries' economies. The alliance was created as a result of a partnership between Cintana Education and Arizona State University.
Through AlmaU's membership in Cintana Education, AlmaU faculty and students have access to the Arizona State University Repository (the world's largest online learning platform) and its expertise in digital learning, world-class research programs, and the opportunity to earn an ASU degree.
