Top universities in Kazakhstan and Finland have developed unique teaching models that integrate teachers into the role of students. This collaborative teaching project aims to involve her 1,800 teachers from more than 40 universities in Kazakhstan. The 6-month training will be conducted both online and offline. During this period, teachers will study issues of student-centered learning, IT competencies, and digital pedagogy. Additionally, 200 university professors and 50 rural school principals will receive a professional development program in educational leadership. A total of 100 teachers will be provided content and language integrated learning. The project involves foreign and Kazakh experts and is supported by the World Bank.
“This is a very innovative teacher education project. We have just completed a very intensive teacher education project in which we have modified 30 educational programs according to competency-based education in the College of Education. We hope that this initiative will improve teacher education and the College of Education and that in the future we will be able to attract highly qualified teachers according to the best international standards.” Duishonkul Shamatov, associate professor at the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education, points out:
“In Finland we respect teacher education very much, so the quality of teacher education is high, not only in the professional field but also in universities. You’re very active here and we’re doing a great job together, and of course you’re making changes to the education system now so that quality in teacher education is going to be a role model. It’s high and we work together.” Ilmeli Ligner, spokesperson for Finland’s HAMK University, said: