International online seminar:Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education
On October 3, 2024, teachers of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Philology held an international student online seminar on the topic "Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education" as part of the popularization of SDG Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The online seminar was attended by 1st and 2nd year students, international students of Higher School of Economics and Business (Masudur Rahaman Khan, Amiri Behishta, Humaira Attaye, Zahra Bayani, Shukria Mirzaie), students of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology. Masudur Rahaman Khan invited Nishat Jahan Nila, a student of the Department of English at Southeast University, Bangladesh. Nishat Jahan Nila provided information about the university, which is located in Dhaka, educational programs, credit system and recorded a video about her university.
Nishat Jahan Nila: “I’m currently studying in the Department of English at Southeast university of Bangladesh. Southeast university is established in 2002. It stands one of the top private universities in Bangladesh. Although it is relatively young, SEU has gained strong reputation for academic excellence. Our university offers a wide range of disciplines from Engineering to Business, Law, Pharmacy and Humanities of Bachelor and Master’s Degree. My own journey as an English major has been deeply increased by the diverse culture. The faculty members are highly qualified, many of whom have PhD degree from internation institutions. Our university provides well-structured grading system which insures fairness and transparency. Students must complete required number of credits for the programme with CGPA of at least 2,5. The grading system also reflects SEU’s commitment to academic integrity and maintains a balanced approach to learning. One of the key strengths of SEU is its focus on practical learning helping students grow into well-rounded specialists and responsible individuals. Southeast campus fosters sense of community and collaboration from participating in students’ clubs to engaging in different programmes. SEU cultivates an atmosphere of innovation and social responsibility’.
Cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) show a student's academic performance over several semesters and academic years. It is used by colleges, universities, middle and high schools to assess a student's performance. SEU grading: 80-100 A+ (CGPA 4); 75-79 A; 70-74 A-; 65-69 B+; 60-64 B; 55-59 B-; 50-54 C+; 45-49 C; 40-44 D.
The moderator of the seminar I.G. Orazbekova provided an overview of the QS World University Rankings. KazNU is the first and only university in Kazakhstan and Central Asia to be ranked among the top 200 universities in the world. The university has achieved high results in terms of faculty-student ratio, number of students, international research network, and sustainable development indicators.
The online platform provided an opportunity for international students to share their experience of studying at KazNU. Amiri Behishta, Management student from Afghanistan, spoke about the importance of the Bologna Process scholarship programs, which provide access to higher education and student mobility.
This is what Behishta Amiri says:“I discovered the Bologna Process Scholarship while researching scholarships for studying in Kazakhstan online. After gathering all the necessary documents, I completed the application process. I was fortunate to receive an email from the scholarship organization, highlighting my high school transcript as a significant factor in my acceptance. The entire process took about five months, culminating in a successful interview. I chose Al-Farabi KazNU because it is ranked among the top universities in Central Asia and is known for its quality education. This opportunity is particularly important to me, as education for girls in my home country is currently limited. My desire for knowledge and a strong commitment to achieving my goals greatly influenced my decision to study here. I want to make the most of this opportunity and work towards a brighter future”.
The organizers conducted an informative test that tested students' knowledge of the main scholarship programs, the credit system of education, and international English language tests. The quiz covered the questions on the defining the oldest university in the world, strategy and development of Bologna process, core directions of Erasmus Mundus programme and credit system requirements.
Organizing international seminars via online platforms boosts collaboration and cooperation between students and promotes the SDG ideas to enhance education and provide learning opportunities for all. The journey of Amiri Behishta, a student from Afghanistan, to KazNU and her determination to study gives a bright example of the fact that education has no borders and limits and could inspire young people to make steps to go ahead.
Indira Orazbekova,
Foreign language
department
