PhD and Associate Professors from KazNU Visit Switzerland as Part of the ConnectEurasia Project

From August 19 to 23, 2024, PhD and Associate Professors from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Zhidebekkyzy A. and Doszhan R., participated in the ConnectEurasia project at the Swiss Eurasian Institute of Management (SEIM) in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

ConnectEurasia is a unique initiative uniting five universities from Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and China to create a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program. This program is designed to connect students across borders, enhancing their intercultural skills and providing a deeper understanding of the Eurasian market with a focus on sustainability.

The visit began with a warm welcome at the SEIM campus and a tour of Neuchâtel, fostering team cohesion and setting the stage for fruitful discussions. A key focus of the project was addressing logistical challenges such as aligning time zones, academic calendars, and credit systems across the partner universities in Switzerland, Kazakhstan, China, and Azerbaijan.

Throughout the week, participants worked intensively on defining learning objectives, course content, and assessment methods for the COIL program. Despite the differences in educational systems and approaches, the project team successfully developed a unified concept to meet the needs of students at both Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

This project would not have been possible without the exceptional support and hospitality of our colleagues from Haute école de gestion Arc and Swiss Eurasian Institute of Management (SEIM). Special thanks go to Julia Wirth, Lukas Baschung, Güldem Karamustafa-Köse, Juliana Milman, and all the other team members who contributed their expertise and enthusiasm to the success of this collaboration.

The ideas and solutions generated during this project are not only vital for the partner institutions but also offer valuable insights for higher education, educators, students, and businesses worldwide.

The ConnectEurasia project is a shining example of the power of international cooperation and innovation in education. We look forward to the outcomes of this project and the opportunities it will bring to students as they gain the skills and knowledge to thrive in a global and sustainable future.