On May 17, 2019 the international summer school “Kazakhstan: modernity and traditions” began its work within the al-Farabi KazNU. The concept of the program is the formation of a positive image of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh culture in General through the introduction and study of the features of Kazakh culture in the process of its historical development, in creating favorable conditions for further strengthening of academic, scientific and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Bulgaria. Students of the summer school from Sofia University delegation are: Professor Maria Stoycheva – functional rector of the doctoral school and international activities, Professor Madeleine Danova – Dean of the faculty of classical and new philology; Professor Bozhidar Angels – Dean of the faculty of education and arts; Professor Stoyan Shishkov – Dean of the faculty of biology; Professor Theodora Petrova – Dean of the faculty of journalism; Violeta Dobychina – Director of the scientific, educational and cultural center “al-Farabi” at Sofia University, general director of “Predtechi BG», professors of the faculty of education and arts Danail Danov, Kamelia Syarova, Lucia Angelova; Director of the National Institute of Geophysics, geodesy and geography at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Boyan Kulov; associate professor of the faculty of geology and geography Bilyana Borisova; Professor of the center of Oriental languages Nako Stefanov; also doctor, Director of the city hospital №4 Sofia Arkadi Ivanov and undergraduates of the joint double-diploma educational program “ Europe and Asia: Cultural Diplomacy and Geopolitics of the EU” Kalina Trendafilova and Vladimir Tsvetkov.
The summer school began with the campus tour, visiting museums of KazNU. al-Farabi, the scientific library, “Keremet” student service centre, ecosystem “Aquaponics”, the situation monitoring center. In the building of the scientific library there was a meeting with the university authority members, deans of faculties. The event was opened with an introductory lecture “The place of Kazakh culture in the world civilization” of doctor of philosophy, Professor, Dean of the faculty of philosophy and political science of al-Farabi KazNU Masalimova Aliya. Professor Alia Masalimova briefed the achievements of the university in the international ranking QS, QS Stars, in the UN program “Academic impact”, the concepts of “Al-Farabi university smart”, “4.0 University”, international project “Formation of citizens virtuous society”, projects “Spiritual revival” on an international scale, as well as the experience of cooperation of universities of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria in clinical psychology and social work, whose founder is a Professor in the Department of psychology Maira Kabakova Pobedova. Director of scientific-educational and cultural center “al-Farabi” of the Sofia University, also the coordinator of the joint double-diploma educational program “Europe and Asia: Cultural Diplomacy and Geopolitics of the EU” Violeta Dobychina made a presentation on the Centre’s activities, the aim of which is promotion of the Kazakh language, culture and modern research achievements of the Kazakhstani research community in all its aspects. Also Dean of the faculty of classical and new philology Professor Madlen Danova, Dean of the faculty of education and arts Professor Bozhidar Angels, Dean of the faculty of biology Professor Stoyan Shishkov and Dean of the faculty of journalism Professor Theodora Petrova made proposals for cooperation with the relevant departments, the implementation of joint research projects, educational programs, academic mobility of students and teachers, etc. The meeting was also attended by the Dean of the faculty of geography and nature Professor Vitaly Salnikov, Dean of the faculty of biology and biotechnology Professor Zayadan Bolathan Kazykhanuly, Deputy deans of faculties for research and innovation and international cooperation, staff of the faculty of philosophy and political science, undergraduates of the joint double-diploma educational program. In the summer school on May 21 there will be the first thesis defense of undergraduates of the joint double-degree educational program “ Europe and Asia: Cultural Diplomacy and Geopolitics of the EU”.
Listeners of the international summer school will enjoy a rich and exciting cultural program: the ballet “Legends of the great steppe” at the Kazakh state academic Opera and ballet theater named after Abai, a master class at the College at the Zhurgenev Kazakh National Art Academy, a demonstration of Kazakh national instruments at the Museum of Kazakh folk instruments named after Ykylas, interactive activities at the Museum of fine arts named after A. Kasteev, a visit to the ethnic village “Huns”, where participants will be held master classes on felting and pottery, a visit to the miracle of nature of Charyn canyon, as well as a number of excursions to interesting historical and architectural attractions of Almaty and Almaty region (Central Mosque, ascension Cathedral, etc.).
The work of the summer school will continue until May 23.