UN SDG 4: Quality Education – Expanding the Frontiers of Scientific Learning

Molecular biology is one of the most dynamic and inspiring fields of modern science, where new discoveries unfold every day. Emerging at the intersection of biochemistry, genetics, and physics, it has laid the foundation for groundbreaking innovations in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.

By studying molecular biology, students gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the structure, growth, development, and functioning of living systems — as well as the regulation of gene expression and cellular communication.

A remarkable contribution to quality education in this field is the online course “Methods of Molecular Biology”, developed by the faculty of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Aizhan Izbasarovna Zhussupova, in collaboration with the Institute of New Educational Technologies at Al-Farabi KazNU and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

First launched on Coursera in 2021, the course was recognized internationally, entering the Top 100 most popular online courses in the world — a significant achievement for Kazakh higher education.

On October 16, 2025, the rectors of both universities — academicians Zh.K. Tuimebayev and A.I. Rudskoy — signed a Memorandum of Understanding on educational and scientific cooperation, further strengthening academic ties and creating new opportunities for innovation-driven learning.

The “Methods of Molecular Biology” course equips learners with not only theoretical foundations but also practical skills in molecular techniques, serving as a bridge between fundamental science and real-world applications — a true embodiment of SDG 4: Quality Education.