Today, Abai University hosted a seminar and training session for students entitled “No to Corruption: One Step Towards a Clean Society”, organized jointly with the Corruption Prevention Department of the Department of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs in Almaty. The main objective of the meeting was to enhance students’ legal awareness, explain the negative impact and consequences of corruption on society, and promote the principles of honesty and integrity among young people.

   Today’s student is tomorrow’s specialist, civil servant, teacher, or professional working in another area of public life. Therefore, it is essential to develop values of honesty and responsibility from the very beginning of university education. Major changes in society begin with the everyday choices and personal principles of each individual.

   The seminar and training session was opened by Kurmangazy Madiyev, Head of the University’s Compliance Service, who spoke about the goals and objectives of the meeting. Möldir Serikkyzy, Chief Specialist of the Department, then provided students with a detailed overview of the main forms of corruption and its negative impact on the development of society and the state. The specialists emphasized that an anti-corruption culture begins with a person’s everyday conduct and stressed that knowledge of legal requirements and a sense of personal responsibility are important prerequisites for preventing corruption. Students were also informed about the need to exercise caution when giving or accepting gifts.

   Even seemingly ordinary gifts, such as flowers, sweets, or other presents, may have legal implications under certain circumstances. Therefore, it is important not to assume that “a small gift can do no harm”, but rather to take legal requirements into account in every situation. In particular, if a gift is connected with the performance of official duties, a particular decision, or the provision of an advantage, it may result in legal liability.

   Students were encouraged to uphold the values of honesty, fairness, responsibility, and integrity in their daily lives. Combating corruption is not limited to holding offenders accountable. Prevention, legal awareness, and the refusal to engage in unlawful actions are far more important.

   The seminar also featured video materials illustrating the consequences of corruption for individuals and society. During the discussion, participants examined how such actions can affect not only an individual’s life and future, but also public trust and citizens’ rights.

   Students also had the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers during the meeting. They were advised to make legally informed decisions in any situation and, whenever they have doubts, to seek reliable information and official clarification from the relevant authorities.

   Building an anti-corruption culture is not the responsibility of a single institution or government body alone. It is a shared responsibility of society as a whole. Every individual can contribute to building a clean society by believing in fairness, striving to achieve success through their own efforts, respecting the law, and refusing to remain indifferent to unlawful actions. These principles form the foundation of the “Adal Azamat” principle frequently emphasized by the Head of State.

   Building a clean and fair society cannot be achieved overnight. It begins with the honest actions of every individual, conscious choices, and respect for the law.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  «Abai University» Media Center