Mikhail CHURSIN, manager of Huawei Technologies: KazNU gives a powerful impetus to development

Chursin Mikhail Vitalievich is a graduate of the Department of Chinese Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, with knowledge of Kazakh, English and Chinese languages. Currently, she is the manager of the corporate department of Huawei Technologies, Ms. is in charge of the development of the energy sector of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a writer, as well as one of the main representatives of the employer company of the Department of Chinese Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Recently, Mikhail Vitalyevich visited his alma mater and presented a book - "Jealousy of the Ninth Sun". Taking the opportunity, the Department of Chinese Studies conducted an interview in which Chursin Mikhail Vitalyevich shared his opinion on the most pressing issues.

– Education in Kazakhstan. Success is in the hands of the seeker. Today, many guys are striving abroad, Mikhail, what do you think about education in Kazakhstan?

 – At the moment, Kazakhstan has a well-built education system, a large number of high-class universities with international certification and world recognition are functioning. Of course, it is necessary to approach the issue of choosing a university as responsibly as possible, but having the desire and desire to study well, get a quality education, it is more than possible in Kazakhstan. The leading institutions of the country are equipped with the best equipment, training programs are offered by foreign specialists, and the faculty also takes specialized courses abroad.

I completed my bachelor's degree at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Faculty of Oriental Studies in 2015 and I can say that I am proud to share this wherever I am. During the training, a powerful and professional base is given, teachers support students' initiatives and set the right direction. And a student, as they say, is a person who is looking for, and if he listens to mentors, shows proper audacity and initiative, then he will certainly succeed. While studying for a master's degree in China, at the Beijing University of Language and Culture, in the period from 2015 to 2018, I had the opportunity to meet with a large number of foreign students, among whom many also graduated from universities in their countries. Based on the received baggage of knowledge and skills in the Treasury, I can confidently say that my level was, if not at the level, then much higher than that of graduates of European and American universities.

It is necessary to strive not for the very fact of studying abroad, but in order to get good, high–quality skills, conditions and skills, which is much more difficult in a mediocre institution like Austria, the UK, the USA or Kazakhstan than in a decent and recognized institution.

Young people all over the world, always and everywhere are looking for a better life. Young specialists are leaving for other countries, which cannot but worry the top management. The Government of our country is also concerned about the situation with brain drain and therefore regularly promotes new programs aimed at supporting young people – preferential training conditions, job search, housing programs and many other tools. Another question is that this information is not always widely distributed and is always available everywhere, but the one who is looking always finds it.

I studied on a grant, although I could study abroad for a fee, I received a Presidential scholarship and participated in a variety of programs because I was interested in it. Sometimes it's enough to ask the right question, show proper interest to get what you need. I had a choice – to stay in China or continue my development in my homeland, and I made my choice in favor of my native country, because I believe in it and feel comfortable here.

– Neighboring China. Phobias, facts and perspectives. Relations between Kazakhstan and China are actively developing, but there are often misconceptions and fears among the people, what do you think about this?

 – China is certainly a good example of how in the recent past a poor and backward country with a large load of overpopulation and overloaded social infrastructure was able to make a "Big Leap", a "Chinese miracle", achieving such results as the largest and most successful economy in the world, the largest producer in the world, more than 20 companies of Chinese origin are in the top-50 world leaders. For me, this says one thing, China is the best in its business, in building an economy. And you always need to learn from the best. We really have a lot to learn and learn from the PRC.

Unfortunately, the minds of millions of people around the world are ruled by stereotypes that are formed by incorrect perception and distortion of various kinds of information. And on the threshold of globalization, universal world unity, every person should strive to correctly perceive what is happening around and look at world events with wide open eyes. Fears, phobias, prejudices are often a good tool used by the media, politicians and other interested parties, but it remains for us to assess the facts competently and carefully.

And here the big fact is that the PRC does not wage wars, in the entire history of China, the Han did not act as conquerors, but achieved leadership and domination in a different way. And the way the social system works in China today is an indicator of how having a heavy anchor that hinders rapid development, in the form of 1.4 billion people who need to be fed, maintained, treated, provided with conditions for healthy life, to turn into a resource that moves the country forward, an indisputable fact of the skill of the country's leadership. And this invaluable experience is available to us, the nearest neighbors, who need "not to be afraid of fire, but to learn how to use it for good."

– Modern realities and opportunities for graduates of KazNU. What are the prospects for those who have chosen the Treasury? What can our graduates achieve?

 – I am 29 years old, I work for Huawei, a large international company with Chinese roots in the field of telecommunications equipment as a customer service manager in the oil and gas and mining sector. A job that allows you to think out of the ordinary, solve a variety of tasks and promotes constant growth.

After completing my master's degree in China, I received an invitation to an interview, went through several stages. As a result, after the graduation on July 25, August 6, I already went to work. I was especially pleased with the fact that on my first working day I met classmates and guys with whom I once studied at my native vostfak. Today I have a stable salary and the opportunity to receive a bonus, provided that the work plan is fulfilled, a whole team of professionals with whom we jointly implement complex projects and promote the key values of the company. I do what I like, is directly related to my education, in a sense, work in my specialty, since every day I communicate in Chinese with suppliers, partners and end consumers, applying the skills of knowledge of Chinese psychology and perception of the world, thanks to which I can constantly grow professionally.

– Work and creativity. What do you do besides work?

 – In 2012, my translation of the Words of Abai's Edification was published. I read this work in the original and was deeply impressed, to this day considering this work one of the most significant for the Kazakh people as a whole. A little later I read one of the translations and caught myself thinking that the text is not perceived the way it was in the Kazakh language. So the idea of translation was born. I read the Words of edification in Kazakh, watched the translations of the inserts in Arabic. I compared different translations into Russian and prepared my own version. After my successful participation in the student exchange program in 2014, my next book "The Road to Heaven" was published, where I shared my observations of life and changes in China, some of the articles were even included in my bachelor's thesis. Most recently, the novel "Jealousy of the Ninth Sun" was published. This is a work of fiction that tells about the search for oneself, love and self-realization. I caught myself thinking that in modern society people are quite familiar with Western mythology, literature and philosophical thought, but, alas, people do not encounter the heritage of the East. And I wanted to share my knowledge of Chinese folk legends and classical texts to show the versatility of our world, to reveal a different point of view, to look at the world with wide-open eyes.

– And in the end, what are the wishes for our students?

 – Always ask questions, be, in a good sense of the word, arrogant and stubborn. Talent is always only a part of success, which can only be achieved by putting enough effort and effort.

KazNU actively strengthens global cooperation and cooperation with leading universities of the world. To date, KazNU has concluded more than 550 contracts with universities from 53 countries. Special attention is paid to the implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and negotiations are underway to establish a partnership for sustainable development with the TOP 300 universities in the world.  KazNU gives a powerful impetus to development, follow the opportunities provided by the university and challenge yourself.

 Alina NURZHAYEVA,

PhD, senior lecturer

departments of Chinese Studies

Faculty of Oriental Studies