President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, speaking at the fourth meeting of the National Kurultai, emphasized that the national historical science and intellectuals face an important task - studying the history of the country in the context of a broad civilizational paradigm. He emphasized the importance of an objective analysis of the Soviet period without a one-sided approach. We talked about the president's messages at the kurultai and initiatives in the field of science and education in an interview with the director of the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute, Doctor of Law, professor, member of the kurultai Ainur Sabitova.

NATIONAL DIALOGUE

- Ainur Alimkhanovna, what do you remember about the fourth meeting of the National Kurultai?

- It should be noted that this time in Burabay even more proposals were voiced than at last year's kurultai in Atyrau. On March 13, several sections worked at the kurultai - more than a hundred members of the National Kurultai, all expressed their opinions and views.

The speech of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the plenary session was large-scale, many deep issues that concern our society were touched upon - from the economy and social policy to the spiritual and moral development of Kazakhstani society. The head of state outlined the results of the work done over the past six years, and defined clear and logical tasks on how to develop the country in the coming years. It can be said that a national dialogue took place on the platform of the kurultai once again.

The National Kurultai has become a key platform for a national dialogue, within the framework of which a wide range of opinions and views of the country's population is represented. This, according to the plan of the Head of State, strengthens the connection between the government and the people, contributing to more effective and mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the development of Kazakhstan.

Our most effective interaction occurs at working meetings within the sections, because ministers and heads of government agencies that directly resolve these issues have started coming to these sections. They are present not because they want to speak, but because they must listen to us and understand our problems. At section meetings, we discuss issues that are not only national, but also global challenges: social justice, education, history, national security. All these issues will form the basis for future transformations in the state.

EDUCATION INITIATIVES: LEGALLY LITERATE TEACHING

- As a representative of the education sector, what issues did you bring up for discussion at the National Kurultai?

- At the working session of the Kurultai, I voiced several proposals. The first concerns mandatory legal education for future teachers. Modern realities require that teachers have not only methodological and subject knowledge, but also high legal literacy. However, today teachers often find themselves in situations where they cannot protect their rights, do not know how to properly build relationships with parents, administration and the education system as a whole.

That is why I proposed introducing a mandatory course "Fundamentals of Human Rights" for students of pedagogical specialties. It should be taught in the third year, before the start of industrial practice, so that future teachers are prepared for the legal challenges of the school environment.

In addition, it is important to develop advanced training programs for current teachers. As a result, we will get a strong, legally competent teaching staff, which is extremely important for the education system of Kazakhstan. This proposal was supported by the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Education and the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University.

The issue of taking into account state awards, such as the Y. Altynsarin medal, which is awarded annually to the best teachers, remains unresolved. Today, these state awards are not taken into account in any way during certification. Teachers who receive such awards deserve to have their long-term work, contribution to education and public recognition reflected in the certification system.

CANCELLING BARRIERS FOR PHD STUDENTS

The second proposal concerns the training of PhD students in Kazakhstan. The existing system puts them in artificially difficult conditions, requiring them to independently search for foreign scientific advisers. Universities often cannot provide foreign advisers, despite their mandatory presence according to PhD rules.

According to the requirements, the adviser must be from a top-1000 university, and in some universities - even from the top-500, which creates insurmountable barriers for Kazakhstani doctoral students. It is worth noting that in the Bologna process, such norms do not exist, according to the practice of many leading European universities.

I proposed to cancel these criteria and make the process more flexible and accessible for a young researcher. It is also necessary to review the regulatory documents to remove excessive restrictions. Today, this norm has been canceled.

ELECTRONIC CATALOGUE OF FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES

At the initiative of the head of state, branches of leading foreign universities offering double degrees and international educational programs are actively opening in Kazakhstan.

All these branches of foreign universities are opening on the basis of leading universities of Kazakhstan, and this is an absolutely correct approach. State and national universities of the country receive new opportunities for development, expanding the range of educational services at the international level. This is a significant event for Kazakhstan, contributing to the strengthening of our universities. Thanks to these initiatives, students can participate in double degree programs with foreign universities on a systematic basis.

Moreover, the universities on the basis of which the branches are opened become centers of attraction for foreign students interested in studying in Kazakhstan. This not only strengthens the academic reputation of the country, but also enhances its image in the international educational space. In this context, the Minister of Education and Science has made a significant breakthrough, opening up new prospects for the development of higher education and international cooperation.

However, at the moment there is no single digital resource that would systematize information about them. I made a proposal to create an electronic catalog of branches of foreign universities, which would present a complete register: all foreign universities that have opened branches in Kazakhstan, a list of educational programs (including double degrees), information on admission opportunities for Kazakhstani and foreign students.

Why is this important? The lack of information makes it difficult for applicants to choose, especially students from the regions who do not know what international programs are available.

FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES FOR A SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH

The opening of branches of leading world universities in Kazakhstan should not only expand educational opportunities, but also serve as a catalyst for international scientific cooperation.

I proposed organizing a full-fledged research integration of branches of foreign universities that are open in the country with the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan; using the potential of foreign teachers working in these branches, who have academic degrees and scientific experience, for the development of Kazakhstani science.

How can this be implemented? Create international research groups that unite foreign scientists from branches and Kazakhstani scientists from the NAS RK, establish a single international scientific journal; create an international interdisciplinary dissertation council based on the NAS together with scientists from foreign branches.

SCIENCE CITY IN KAZAKHSTAN

- At the kurultai, the president voiced the idea of ​​creating two science cities in Kazakhstan. How do you assess this initiative? How can this change the scientific sphere in the country?

- The creation of a science city is an ambitious and promising project that requires careful planning and calculations. The president, relying on his extensive international experience and deep understanding of global trends, noted the need for a thoughtful approach to this project, which emphasizes its strategic importance for the country.

My experience of cooperation with French universities gives grounds to assert the possibility of successful integration of science, business and education. Most French universities have modern research laboratories, where scientists, working together with doctoral students and French enterprises, achieve significant scientific discoveries and technological achievements. This research not only contributes to the development of the academic environment, but also directly affects the economy of the regions, since universities become centers of innovation, “feeding” the local labor market and economy.

An example of active interaction between universities and local authorities in France, where the mayor's office independently seeks support for specific projects, demonstrates that this format of cooperation can lead to a synergistic effect. If Kazakhstan manages to implement at least one such project within the framework of the science city, this will be an important step towards modernization and innovative development of the country.

LESSONS FROM HISTORY

- The President stated that domestic historical science and intellectuals face an important task - studying the history of the country in the context of a broad civilizational paradigm. He emphasized the importance of an objective analysis of the Soviet period without a one-sided approach. How would you comment on this call of the President?

- The President's call to study the history of Kazakhstan in a broad civilizational paradigm is not just a scientific task, but a strategic guideline for the entire society. We need to more deeply comprehend our past, see it in the context of global processes, understand what civilizational challenges we have overcome and what historical lessons we can learn.

Of course, an objective analysis of the Soviet period is of certain importance. Whether we like it or not, these are pages of our history.

This stage of history must be studied comprehensively: recognizing its achievements - industrialization, development of science, education and the social sphere - but also not hushing up the tragic pages - repressions, famine, suppression of national identity. Only such a balanced approach will allow us to build a genuine historical truth and avoid distortions dictated by the political situation.

This historical analysis has a direct connection with modern challenges. I will say even more, an honest study of the past is the basis for the formation of an anti-corruption culture, respect for human rights and civic responsibility. We must learn from history in order to never repeat the mistakes of the past, to strengthen the principles of justice, the rule of law and law and order.

Therefore, the president's call is not just a task for scientists. It is a challenge for each of us - intellectuals, public figures, youth. We must not just study history, but also extract from it the experience necessary for building a strong, independent and fair Kazakhstan.

And it is especially important to understand: the younger generation has an inalienable right to know the whole truth about the past - without distortion, without hushing up complex and inconvenient facts. Young people must see history in its entirety: both in the great achievements that we are proud of, and in the difficult trials that our people have gone through. Only by understanding the past in all its diversity - both in its creative, heroic pages, and in its difficult, tragic lessons - will we be able to raise a generation that will build a strong, fair and independent Kazakhstan.

And among its pages there is a most important period for our people - the test of the Great Patriotic War. This is a glorious chronicle of the heroism of Kazakhstanis, hundreds of thousands of our compatriots fought on the front lines, and those who remained in the rear selflessly worked for the Victory. We have no right to forget their feat - no one can erase this page of history from the memory of the people.

Since childhood, my parents, and later my teachers, took me to the Eternal Flame every year on May 9, instilling a sense of gratitude and respect for the memory of those who gave their lives for the Motherland. Today, I continue this tradition: together with students and volunteers, we lay flowers at the Eternal Flame every year.

However, studying the history of Kazakhstan should not be limited to the 20th century. A deep knowledge of one's roots is the key to understanding national identity. It is important for young people to understand who their ancestors were up to the seventh generation, where their origins come from, what values ​​and traditions they passed on. The period of the Kazakh Khanate and the Golden Horde occupies a special place in historical memory. This was a time of great feats, when our ancestors not only created state institutions, but also courageously defended the territory from external enemies, preserving the sovereignty of their lands.

Today, we see that interest in these pages of history is growing among young people. Regardless of their specialty, more and more young people are eager to learn the true history of the Kazakh people, their heroes and public figures. In this context, it is especially important that the state pays attention to popularizing the historical heritage. Through the media, documentaries and feature films, young people gain access to knowledge about outstanding personalities of the Kazakh people - khans, batyrs, writers, public figures - all this shapes the thinking of the younger generation, strengthens national identity.

It is necessary to publish books about outstanding Kazakh personalities, the history and roots of our people, filled with genuine and reliable information, while it is important that they are financially accessible to the younger generation, so that any young person or student has the opportunity to purchase such a book. It is important to publish such books in different languages. This is a lot of work that is already underway, but it must be continued and strengthened.

In addition, another important area of ​​research should be the study of the philosophy of law and the traditional Kazakh legal order. Kazakh customary law is not just a historical layer, but the basis of justice and legal consciousness of our people. Researchers, especially lawyers, should study this layer of legal culture more deeply, conduct scientific research and popularize it among young people. This will help not only to better understand the legacy of ancestors, but also to strengthen the legal culture of modern Kazakhstan.

Thus, the study of history is not only a path to understanding the past, but also the key to building a strong, independent and fair state. I am convinced that it is important not only to remember, but also to pass on this memory to new generations, because respect for the past is the basis for a worthy future.

19.03.2025

Source: kazpravda.kz