MEETING WITH THE SOAS, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON FACULTY AND STUDENTS AND THE PUBLIC LECTURE BY PROF. LAURA YEREKESHEVA

On April 2, 2025, as part of a study tour by students from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, to Almaty and Bishkek, a delegation led by renowned Central Asia scholar Professor Bhavna Dave held a meeting with faculty members, researchers, students, and doctoral candidates at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU).

During the meeting, the Deputy Dean for Academic, Methodological, and Educational Affairs, Dr. Sh.E. Kanafyeva, provided an overview of the faculty’s structure, teaching approaches, academic achievements, and ongoing scientific initiatives. Professor Dave emphasized the importance of this inaugural visit to Central Asia for SOAS students and expressed interest in fostering further academic collaboration.

The meeting featured an open lecture by Professor L.G. Yerekesheva, titled “Historical Heritage, Hybrid Identity, and Cultural Nation-Building in Kazakhstan,” which sparked great interest and lively discussion among attendees.

It is noteworthy that Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, formalized their academic cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024.