On the morning of November 18, 2024, the opening series of activities for the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre - Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education Academic Leadership Program, co-hosted by the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre and Nazarbayev University, kicked off successfully. The program specially invited 22 experts from Kazakhstani universities, including Aida Sagintayeva, Associate Provost of Nazarbayev University, to Shanghai. It aims to equip deans of Kazakhstani universities with knowledge, skills and tools to effectively manage universities and colleges in a rapidly changing educational environment. The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Xiao Shengxiong, Director of the International Exchange Division of Shanghai Normal University. Speeches were delivered by Professor Yuan Wen, President of Shanghai Normal University; Professor Jiang Mingjun, Vice President of Shanghai Normal University; Professor Zhang Minxuan, Director of the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre; and Professor Yang Deguang, former President of Shanghai Normal University.
In his welcome speech, Professor Jiang Mingjun, Vice President of Shanghai Normal University, stated that the arrival of the Nazarbayev University delegation marks a new starting point for cooperation between the two universities. He expressed hope that through this program, both sides can jointly explore new opportunities and challenges in the field of education.
In his address, Professor Zhang Minxuan, Director of the UNESCO Teacher Education Centre, introduced the operation of Shanghai Normal University and expressed great expectations for future cooperation projects. He emphasized that such cooperation programs can promote innovation in teacher education and expand international perspectives, and put forward possibilities and expectations for further cooperation in the future.
Professor Aida Sagintayeva, Vice Rector of Nazarbayev University and Dean of the Graduate School of Education, shared Nazarbayev University’s experience and prospects in higher education in her speech. In the subsequent session, participating experts and leaders exchanged views on potential cooperation projects and discussed ways to strengthen collaboration in educational research, teacher training and academic exchanges.
Professor Yuan Wen, President of Shanghai Normal University, delivered a speech reviewing the 70-year development of Shanghai Normal University from the perspective of academic leadership. Her speech not only showcased the university’s academic achievements and development goals but also provided valuable experience and insights for future educational cooperation. In terms of international exchanges, President Yuan offered new ideas and directions for cooperation between Shanghai Normal University and Kazakhstani universities, proposing that through student exchanges, cooperative research and faculty exchanges, both sides can jointly advance educational cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
Professor Yang Deguang, former President of Shanghai Normal University, conducted in-depth discussions on green development and social services in university governance, sharing the practices and achievements of Shanghai Normal University in university management.
As President Xi Jinping pays a state visit to Kazakhstan and attends the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit, educational cooperation between China and Kazakhstan is embracing new development opportunities. This program is a concrete manifestation of China-Kazakhstan educational cooperation and a vivid reflection of the friendly relations between the two countries in the field of education. The activities will create more possibilities for exchanges and learning between teachers and students from both sides, promote the sharing of educational resources, jointly improve educational quality, and inject new vitality into educational cooperation between the two countries.
