An Informative Event on Korean Culture and Gastronomy Held at KazNU
On November 28, 2025, the Faculty of Pre-University Education of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted an informative event featuring a distinguished alumna of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Director of the “VCE” company, Dina Muratkyzy Shamshidinova. She delivered a lecture for students on leadership and contemporary trends in Korean culture.
Graduate Success as Student Motivation
Dina Shamshidinova is one of the first graduates of the Korean Studies program at the Department of Far Eastern Studies, a master’s degree holder from Seoul National University, and a recipient of the international GKS scholarship. After completing her master’s degree, she worked for a major Korean company specializing in the export of food products to global markets and established herself as a highly qualified specialist who contributed significantly to the popularization of Korean gastronomy in Central Asia.
Growing Youth Interest in Korean Culture
During the event, the speaker analyzed in detail the reasons behind the increasing interest of Kazakhstani youth in Korean culture, particularly Korean cuisine, whose popularity has grown under the influence of Korean dramas. According to her, this trend reflects not only culinary preferences but also the rise of intercultural communication to a new level. The lecture enabled students to gain a deeper understanding of global cultural processes and to view Korean cultural phenomena from a new perspective.
Practical Session: Korean Cooking Masterclass and Food Boxes
In the practical part of the event, specialists from the “VCE” company demonstrated the preparation techniques of Korean dishes and offered students the opportunity to taste them. During the session, 150 students received special food boxes containing Korean products, which expanded their gastronomic experience and promoted responsible consumption habits.
The Event in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The meeting was closely aligned with KazNU’s Strategy for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 2 – Zero Hunger:
The distribution of food boxes ensured students’ access to safe and high-quality food products.
SDG 4 – Quality Education:
The informative lecture and practical masterclass strengthened students’ international competencies and enriched their academic knowledge.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production:
Through examples of food packaging, the principles of eco-friendly processing, food safety, and resource efficiency were demonstrated.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals:
The event reinforced collaboration between the university and its successful graduates, opening new opportunities for educational and cultural cooperation.
At the end of the meeting, the faculty dean, A. A. Bektanov, expressed gratitude to Dina Muratkyzy by presenting her with a letter of appreciation and a bouquet of flowers for the valuable knowledge and insights she shared with the students. The informative event broadened the cultural horizons of KazNU students and made a significant contribution to their professional development.
