Arystanbek Akylbay, a doctoral student of the Department of Chinese Studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, proved that perseverance and determination work wonders by receiving an invitation to Harvard University. He is currently working in the USA, studying the principles of meritocracy in the development of the state. The young scientist is confident that they can be usefully implemented in Kazakhstan.
Arystanbek Akylbai was born in Shymkent, where he graduated from Gymnasium No. 40 with the sign "Altyn Belgi". Having brilliantly passed the UNT, he chose the Al-Farabi KazNU, where he dreamed of studying at school. Having received a grant from the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Arystanbek became interested in the Chinese language, politics and economics of the Celestial State, graduating from the university with a red diploma.
The next stage of the path was admission to the Shanghai University of International Studies on a full grant from the Chinese government, which is not only free tuition and housing, but also a scholarship of 3 thousand yuan per month. During his studies in Shanghai, Arystanbek studied not only China, but also the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, participated in events and conferences in South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore. He visited the countries of Southeast Asia, exploring the politics, culture, history, and economy of these states. Having successfully defended his master's thesis in English, the young scientist returned to his homeland. On a competitive basis, he got a job at the Ministry of Public Development in Astana, worked as an expert on international cooperation, then as an expert at the Youth Policy Coordination Department of the Committee on Youth and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Information and Public Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Having gained solid experience and knowledge in the civil service, Arystanbek returned to his native university, deciding to devote himself to teaching. "I taught various subjects, starting with the history and foreign policy of China, ending with the global regional processes of Asian countries,– says Arystanbek. – I like teaching. Thanks to this experience, I made a good upgrade of skills and abilities: I learned how to speak, analyze, and correctly provide information to students. I like to guide, help and see how young people are changing, knowing that I influence their development for the better."
The young teacher is actively involved in the life of his native university: in 2019 he worked as a senior curator-organizer (deputy Dean for Educational Work) of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, led a delegation of active students from KazNU at the training seminar "Bolashakka zhol ozinen bastalady" in the Office of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Elbasy. In April 2021, as a senior curator of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, he led a delegation of teachers and students of the Department of the Middle East and South Asia from the University at advanced training courses (Urdu language study) at the National University of Modern Languages (Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan). He gained administrative experience as Deputy Director for Academic Affairs and International Cooperation at Al-farabi Business school at KazNU.
The indefatigable young man managed to do a lot by the time the decision to enroll in doctoral studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies matured. Thanks to the mentorship of the supervisor N.A.Aldabek, Arystanbek became interested in science and was looking for ways to get into the prestigious Harvard University. "Harvard has always been my dream, I studied for 7-8 months. Within six months, I wrote about 100 letters to Harvard employees before I received a response. I was asked to send my scientific papers, articles, and asked about the purpose of my doctoral degree. And they offered the status of a visiting researcher. An invitation came in mid-December, and the internship started on March 1."
Arystanbek continues to work on the research topic "The evolution of Singapore's statehood: meritocracy and modernization (experience for Kazakhstan)". Harvard provides full access to the university's material base and the Widener Library rare Materials library, university affiliation, Harvard email address, privileges for access to sports centers, and also provides visa support in the United States. The university administration also provides a workplace in the general office of the Davis Center, located at the Harvard Center for Government and International Studies. The young scientist participates in international conferences, attends lectures, by choice, as well as seminars in four scientific centers: According to the Study of Eurasia, China, the Center for Asian Studies and the Kennedy School of Public Administration.
"As part of my dissertation work, I am researching the experience of the formation of Singapore's statehood, and especially the introduction of new reforms during its formation, the modernization of public administration. I study the principle of meritocracy in the development of the state and the possibility of introducing a meritocratic society in the Republic of Kazakhstan on the example of Singapore," Arystanbek shares. – It is very important for me to be a part of this community, as I need knowledge and approaches to use this experience for the development of my country, university and the development of science in general. After completing the internship, I plan to return to Kazakhstan, as I have to defend my dissertation for a PhD degree."
