The VI International Winter School of "Global Journalism and Oriental Studies" was held at Al-Farabi University

SDG-17 The VI International Winter School of "Global Journalism and Oriental Studies" was dedicated to the International Day of Knowledge, established by UNESCO, and included the fourth goal of sustainable development - "quality education". The participants shared professional ideas, various aspects of communication and education based on the interests of sustainable development.

At the opening of the winter school, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism Kanat Auesbayuly wished success in the school's work and said that "the winter school contributes to the university's strategy in the field of sustainable development," and also noted that for the first time this year, international students from South Korea are participating in the Winter School.

Oryntay Oshanova, Head of the UNESCO Chair in  Journalism and Communication, noted the importance of the topics covered during the event and stressed that the school is an instructive, useful event, and the speakers are professionals.

The program comprehensively analyzes the directions of development of modern global communications and, in this regard, the issues of the sustainability of national mass media to modern challenges.

Muhammad Sheraz, a former BBC World journalist and professor of media and communications, told a story full of reliable information about the methods and information policy of propaganda of world-class public and state TV channels. The correspondent of the South Korean newspaper KazKorean in Kazakhstan, Mr. Jang Wonki, provided an interesting presentation about foreigners' impressions of our country and what opinions they often express.

Yerzhan Tolek, CEO of «Alatau Aqparat» media holding, raised issues of the development of traditional media and social media sites, media marketing, circulation and shared innovative views on the modern information space.

Madina Imanalieva, Director of the MEGA communications network, proved by examples the necessary skills for PR specialists, and also told what exactly the journalism faculty gives and does not give to young professionals based on her experience. Also during the event, the marketing and PR manager of HeadHunter in Central Asia, Mukhamed Bagdatuly, shared valuable thoughts on the specifics of the work of PR specialists in finance and HR.

Akerke Abagan, Head of the Department of the Far East, Faculty of Oriental Studies, shared his opinion on the vision of the Korean people of Central Asia and the promotion of Kazakhstan's culture abroad. During the event, the faculty's employers shared their suggestions on topical issues of training PR and communications specialists necessary for the country's educational market. The exchange of views took place in an open format and turned into a heated discussion.

The winter school in four languages: Kazakh, Russian, English and Korean, allowed participants to exchange international experience and freely exchange opinions in a multilingual environment. 

UNESCO Chair in  Journalism and Communication