So, the new acadenic year: what's new?

Replenishment arrives at Almaty Management University every year. First-year recruits are met by AlmaU Schools: Graduate School of Management, Graduate School of Public Policy and Law and School of Engineering Management. What a freshman needs to know when entering a university - read in an interview with the head of AlmaU Office registrar Zhuldyz Elubaeva.

- Zhuldyz Maratovna, tell us, what changes are there for those who entered AlmaU this year?

- This year, Faculty of Basic Preparation was abolished, where earlier all students, regardless of the curriculum, studied general education during the 1st year. Now each student will be attached to his School (the School is determined depending on the specialty to which you enrolled). Nothing changes meaningfully. Students, just as before, will get   basic of fundamental professional knowledge during the first year and to determine the trajectory of their further education: specialty, language department, training program, format of academic mobility.

- What are the languages ​​of instruction at AlmaU?

- Three languages: Russian, Kazakh, English. But in each specialty individually, in some specialties, due to small number of Kazakh groups, there is only a Russian / English department, and, for example, in Software Engineering and Business Analytics and Big Data specialties training is available only in English. Therefore, it is better to clarify this question in Admissions office or from the dean of the school.

- What is duration of study?

- 4 years if you enter after school, and 3 years after college (but it depends on specialty you studied) or NIS. But the decision on enrollment in the 2nd year is made after testing in the major subject and, if necessary, in a foreign language.

- Where should foreign students go to get a temporary registration?

- Passports of foreign citizens are subject to registration with internal affairs bodies at the place of their stay within five calendar days at the place of permanent or temporary residence. The basis for registration of passports of foreign citizens are visas of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and for citizens of countries with which the Republic of Kazakhstan has concluded agreements on visa-free entry and stay procedures - a petition of the University.

- Is such registration done regularly?

- Yes, passports of foreign students are registered for one academic year or semester. When a foreign citizen changes his place of temporary residence in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the University is obliged to notify the internal affairs bodies in writing. Foreign citizens can freely move on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, open for visiting by foreign citizens.

- What documents are required for registration?

- Of course, a passport, migration card, which contains information about a foreigner entering the Republic of Kazakhstan, and serves to monitor his temporary stay in the country. The migration card indicates the last name, first name of the foreigner, purpose of stay, the receiving party, the address of registration. Fluorography (original, done in the Republic of Kazakhstan), certificate from AIDS center (original, must be done in the Republic of Kazakhstan), photo 3 × 4 (2 pieces). If you are not living in a University dormitory, you must provide a rental agreement (copy) and a standard statement from the landlord. An extract from the order of enrollment of the student is also required. The student prepares a list of the above documents for registration, as well as a petition signed by an authorized person, and within 5 calendar days is registered at Migration Police Department at the place of residence.

- Does AlmaU have its own dormitory?

- Not yet, but we are solving this issue - a hostel will be built in the coming years. While Almaty Management University offers several accommodation options for our students in various hotels and hostels, with payment from 40 to 60 thousand tenge per month per person.

- How is student life in AlmaU organized? Do they encourage student activists?

- We have a very eventful student life, in organization of which Center for Work with Students plays an important role. Each year, students elect president of Student Council, who, together with the ideological team, is engaged in development of relationships with urban, national and international organizations and promotion of a bright student life, as well as holding student activities of the university. Under the guidance of Student Council, student self-government is exercised, regulation of student clubs activity, which are more than 10 at the University.

Students have beautifully designed spaces at their disposal: Creative Zone (you can book a lecture hall in Creative Zone at http://booking.almau.edu.kz ), new classrooms at AlmaU Knowledge Building (newly built 6-story campus), where they can create and develop their projects and ideas.

- Where should a freshman go to issue a student ID card?

- Regarding registration, entering into the database of personal information about the student, issuing a student ID card, issuing a student's record book, individual study plans, transcripts, etc. You can contact the office of registrar on the 1st floor.

- What are the benefits of studying at AlmaU?

- Advantage, firstly, is that there is an institute of advisory services - Academic Advising Service: advisors support students in solving a wide range of issues. Secondly, personalized education is conducted, academic freedom is provided. Any student can choose a teacher, course, time and language of instruction, the Office of Registrar helps students to form an individual educational path. Thirdly, only at AlmaU there is a system of educational I-blocks, in accordance with which students receive a number of advantages: we teach students skills of critical thinking, design thinking, public speaking, rules and tools of academic writing, time management, business philosophy and business communications in development of entrepreneurial competencies, etc. Of course, this includes basic and professional knowledge. Moreover, the basic module includes intensive study of mathematics and languages, and the professional module involves attracting the best practicing teachers and integrating with international requirements and certifications. AlmaU also provides our students with opportunity to study abroad in partner universities by academic exchange / academic mobility programs.

- Which universities?

- Starting from the 2nd year, students have opportunity to study in partner universities of those schools where they enrolled - each of them has its own foreign partners.

- How many foreign partners does the University have at the moment?

- We have more than 115 partner universities from 39 countries of the world - in America, Europe and Asia, we are members in 24 international associations and organizations. 11 double degree programs are in operation.

- What does "double diploma" mean?

- It means that, entering our university for a double degree program, a student will receive 2 degrees - AlmaU and a foreign partner university in 4 years. Of course, these programs have their own special requirements, you can learn more about all this in Department of Academic Mobility of the University.

- Are there short-term studies and internships abroad?

- Of course, in particular, students, teachers and university staff have opportunity to undergo training and internship abroad under Erasmus + program in the following countries: Great Britain, France, Belgium, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Turkey and the Czech Republic.

- Tell us about Service Learning project, which was previously supervised by FBP? Will this project continue?

- One of the cornerstones of preparation of future leaders at AlmaU is development of spirituality, mercy and humanity in students. In accordance with this principle, in the 2015-2016 academic year, a new project was launched on the basis of FBP - Service Learning discipline - training in public service. Over 3 years, more than 1,200 students have been trained under Service Learning program, more than 50 student social projects have been implemented. Of course, we will save this project, it will be supervised by Graduate School of Public Policy and Law.

- Is it possible to refuse to participate in Service Learning, if a student does not have a desire to participate in the social life of society?

- You know, at first, students studying Service Learning have a lot of questions, misunderstandings. Some do not even want to participate in this project, to visit orphanages, to help veterans, because they do not know what it is. But after a semester, I am sure, rare of them will say: I have spent this time in vain, working in a social project. It seems to me that students, thanks to this program, find in themselves new qualities that they were not even aware of. They get the experience of unselfish and very responsible work that requires you all, not for hours, not from time to time, but constantly and with full dedication. And we, as a university, one of the values ​​of which is social responsibility, set the task to prepare not just a manager, a businessman, a specialist, but a social person who thinks about the needs and requirements of society (and not only himself). Therefore, participation in Service Learning is required for all freshmen.

- Which partners support this AlmaU project?

- These are Almaty city Akimat, state institutions, Boarding school №2, orphanages №1 and №2, public organizations "Kenes", "Youth organization of people with disabilities" Zhiger "," Association of parents of disabled children "," International Association social projects ”, PF“ Aman-Saulyk ”,“ Merciful hands ”, charitable foundations“ Bauyrzhan ”,“ Dara ”,“ Ana Uyi ”and others.

- One of the main principles of the university is academic integrity. Tell about it?

- “Academic Honesty” course is aimed at developing students' values ​​and principles of personal honesty in learning and evaluating knowledge. What does this mean in practice? We do not have corruption in the university, and you can be sure that you will be rated only for your knowledge. "Arrange" the subject with us is impossible. In addition, thanks to Antiplagiat system implemented at the university, the teacher can immediately identify if the student instead of the original work has passed the compilation, collected pieces from foreign scientific works and passed off as his own - this is plagiarism. I must say, such things are strictly punished.

- What opportunities are there for those students who lead an active lifestyle, love sports?

- Of course, we care about physical health and good fitness of our students. We have a first-aid post, we have our own Sport & Art Zone, which offers students the following sections: football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, sambo, jiu-jitsu, kyokushin karate. There is a student club “SPORT LIFE”, the purpose of which is to introduce university students to a healthy lifestyle. AlmaU Creative Center organizes sections for lovers of ballroom, Latin American dances. There is AlmaU Mountain Club, a mountaineering club that regularly organizes nature excursions, hiking in the mountains. This year Mountain Club organized in honor of the 30th anniversary of the University, the conquest of 30 peaks - students of the university and all who wish can join. So for sports fans we have a lot of projects.

- Is it possible to enter AlmaU without passing the UNT, having passed only a creative exam?

- No. UNT, along with a creative exam, it is necessary to pass.

- Is there an option to defer payment of tuition fee?

- There is, each student can write an application on an individual schedule. Tuition  fee is calculated based on the number and cost of credits. This year our credit is worth 28,000 tenge, the student should close 39 credits per year, respectively, the cost of the year of study is 1,092,000 tenge.

- How to pay (the entire amount at once or in several tranches)?

- You can pay either in two tranches, or the entire amount for the year of study. If you pay for the year, if you deposit before August 10, you will receive a 5% discount. Payment terms (without discount) are August 25 for the 1st tranche, and before the start of the 2 semester during the winter holidays - for the 2nd tranche.

- Where can I pay?

- In banks, having AlmaU details.

- Is it possible to pass IELTS at the university?

- No, the university does not conduct IELTS, since we are not a certification body, but on the basis of the university there is such an opportunity. Every Saturday, British Council conducts IELTS testing at our university, you need to register for the test at British Council - this procedure costs 52,000 tenge.

- Does the university employ students?

- Yes, we have a Career Planning Center and work with graduates, and we recommend certain places for internship and employment. If you are in a competition, you are successfully interviewed, you will get a job. In total, we have 400 companies - partners of professional practice and employment. For all questions of career development, you can contact the director of CPC&WG, Nazim Arzimbetova.

- Thanks for the interview!