International Winter School “Integration interactions of education, science and production as a factor of progress of modern society in conditions of sustainable development”

February 6, 2025 at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University held the International Winter School “Integration interactions of education, science and production as a factor of progress of modern society in the conditions of sustainable development”. The organizer of the event was the Department of Physical Chemistry, Catalysis and Petrochemistry. The Winter School was a convenient platform for discussion of possible and actual ways of integration interaction of education, science and production as one of the key factors of sustainable development in the field of training of highly professional specialists with university education.

More than 60 leading domestic and foreign specialists from educational institutions of Russia (St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), SPbSTI (TU), Russia), Kazakhstan (M. Dulati University of Taraz, Zhangirkhan West-Kazakhstan Agrotechnical University, M. Kozybaev North-Kazakhstan University), Uzbekistan (M. Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan, Navoi Technological University, Karshi State University, Jizzak State Pedagogical University), Kyrgyzstan (I. Arabayev Kyrgyz State University), as well as students, masters and PhD doctoral students of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of Al-Farabi KazNU.

Among the invited speakers were both leading scientists of world scientific centers and universities (Prof. M. Guidotti from the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Technologies “Giulio Natta” of the National Academy of Sciences of Italy, Milan, Prof. A.A. Krasilin from St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), SPbSTI (TU), A.F. Ioffe Physical-Technical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and representatives of domestic production (A.M. Kalen (Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana), S.S. Barbashov, B.D. Nurym (Oil Company LLP “Lukoil Lubricants Central Asia”, Almaty).

Among the domestic speakers we would like to note the speech of Yeshova Zh.T., Associate Professor of the Department, on the topic “Development of virtual laboratory work ‘Study of the extraction process in a rotary disk extractor’. The developed virtual laboratory work is an important element of Model 3. Blended learning “MOOC+” under the title “Basic processes and apparatuses of chemical technology”, integrated into the educational process.

The report of Professor Mansurova M.E. on “Experience in the development and implementation of dual training program at the Faculty of Information Technology” aroused special interest and lively discussion. The speaker shared her experience in dual training on the example of the Faculty of Information Technology. It was emphasized that the dual system provides a smooth entry of future specialists into labor activity and forms their social competence and responsibility.

In addition, within the framework of the winter school, special attention was paid to the integration of education and production, when students during their studies have the opportunity to get professional skills in production to become in the future competitive specialists in the modern labor market.

During three years of fruitful cooperation between the Department of Physical Chemistry, Catalysis and Petrochemistry of Al-Farabi KazNU and the company “Lukoil Lubricants Central Asia” LLP it was possible to establish close cooperation, the result of which were successful projects of diploma works of students. Within the framework of cooperation the students of the department had an opportunity to participate in real production processes. This allowed them not only to gain valuable practical skills, but also to apply their theoretical knowledge gained during their university studies to solve actual company tasks.

This format of cooperation provided students not only with quality education, but also prepared them for further professional activity, and as a consequence promoted employment of the best graduates. Thus, thanks to this bilateral partnership, the graduates of the department Nurym B. and Matkir J. were able to find a job in the company “Lukoil Lubricants Central Asia” LLP, becoming in-demand specialists in their field.

The purpose of the Winter School was to attract the attention of both professor staff and students to the creation of a sustainable and progressive model of development based on the synergy of education, science and production processes, the cooperation of which serves as a basis for technological progress. In modern conditions, the sustainable development of society is possible through the active implementation of innovations by future specialists, solving real production problems and adapting to the requirements of the modern market.

Ermek Aubakirov, Doctor of chemical sciences, professor, head of department physical chemistry, catalysis and petrochemistry

Dina Akbayeva, doctor of chemical sciences, associate professor of department physical chemistry, catalysis and petrochemistry