The key points of the speech by the President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on combating corruption has been discussed at an extended meeting of the rectorate of Al-Farabi KazNU. The Head of State noted that it is necessary to conduct a qualitative analysis of the conditions that lead to corruption in various spheres. Evaluation of the effectiveness of activities in this direction should not be based on the number of bribes identified, but «should be formed on the basis of measures taken to prevent, minimize the risks of corruption and eliminate barriers in obtaining public services».
According to the agenda, the Commissioner for Ethics and Counteracting Corruption Risks of the University, Vice-Rector Sholpan Dzhamanbalayeva made a report. She noted that systematic work is being carried out at Al-Farabi KazNU to prevent, counteract and reduce risks of corruption. Since 2011, the project «University beyond Corruption» has been implemented, which introduces a set of anti-corruption technologies to ensure transparency, openness and control in all areas of activity. A corporate ideology based on ethical norms and the principle of zero tolerance for unfair practices has been also introduced. Anticorruption monitoring has been constantly conducted on the basis of the methodology of sociological surveys developed and tested for 7 years.
Currently, preparations are underway for the implementation of the SME-ISO370001. By the end of September this year, it is planned to complete the procedure of internal audit and self-analysis of corruption risks, and then move to external audit and complete certification in October 2020. KazNU has also developed a number of normative documents that are being implemented since the new academic year: «Anti-Corruption Policy»; «Regulation on Gifts and Representative Expenses», «Policy on Resolution of Conflicts of Interest»; «Supplementary Agreement to the Employment Contract and Agreement on Educational Services on Compliance with Anti-Corruption Policy». The University is preparing to implement the «Corporate Governance Code», which provides for the principles and responsibilities of members of collegial bodies and a procedure for independent anti-corruption expertise and public monitoring of law enforcement.
At the meeting on the fight against corruption, Head of State K.Tokayev has placed special emphasis on digitalization and provision of E-services, it will undoubtedly contribute to minimizing the «human factor» and corruption risks. It should be noted that KazNU is the first digital smart university in Central Asia, where the latest information and communication technologies are built into all processes from admission to graduation. This has allowed in recent years to eliminate or significantly minimize corruption risks in educational and training activities. For this purpose, in 2014 KazNU opened a unique service center «Keremet» where students receive more than 500 different services on a «single window» principle. The University will continue to work on expanding the list of E-services. It is planned to implement blockchain technology to protect the storage of educational process data and documents, the use of artificial intelligence for predictive analysis of the quality of educational services, as well as the integration of digital service for distance learning MS Teams with elements of artificial intelligence and the organization of chat bots for automated feedback.
KazNU introduced the institutions of anti-corruption complex: a scientific and educational cluster for the formation of anti-corruption culture and anti-corruption consciousness, including the project office of «Sanaly Urpaq», the Research Institute of Anti-Corruption Technologies and a public reception «Civil Control». Ethics commissions at the Faculties and the anticorruption commission of the University have been actively operating. The School of Integrity and the student club «Sanaly Urpaq» have been established and the project «Teaching students of Integrity and Virtue» is being implemented.
During the meeting, Kaiyrzhan Tokushev, head of the «Sanaly Urpaq» Republican Project Office, drew the attention of participants to the need for a qualitative analysis of the conditions that lead to corruption in various areas. He stressed that the assessment of the effectiveness of activities in this direction should be formed on the basis of measures taken to prevent, minimize corruption risks and eliminate barriers to public services. K.Tokushev recommended to take measures to increase the openness and transparency of the educational process, to work on the implementation and compliance with the anti-corruption standard of the MES RK, reducing corruption risks and the use of modern digital technologies in the business processes of the University.
Anti-corruption policy of KazNU is aimed at training competitive, honest and highly qualified professionals who can and must succeed with their own efforts and become good citizens with an active life stance. It should be noted that today the best practices of KazNU, technologies implemented at the University in the field of anti-corruption activities are actively being adopted by other HEIs of Kazakhstan.
The participants of the online session exchanged opinions and actively asked questions to the speakers, made suggestions for improving anti-corruption work and increasing its effectiveness. They have unanimously supported the recommendations aimed at reducing corruption risks and establishing openness and transparency in University activities.
Rector of Al-Farabi KazNU academician Galym Mutanov summed up the results of the online meeting and discussions, defined the tasks for the prevention of corruption offenses in the coming period with the indication of specific deadlines and responsible persons.
