At the intersection of digital technologies, media, the experience of PR specialists themselves, and their professional dedication, a high-quality product is born.
The 3rd International Winter PR School, aimed at improving the quality of education, became a platform where professional speakers discussed current topics, their innovative ideas, and innovative opinions. The Winter School addressed issues such as digital PR and media, artificial intelligence technologies, climate change, natural disasters, risk reduction in current global conflicts, misinformation, and more. It also featured master classes by international and domestic specialists, public relations experts, and qualified educators.
The 3rd International Winter PR School, dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, was dedicated to the International Day of Knowledge established by UNESCO and included the fourth goal of sustainable development — «Quality Education.» Participants shared their pedagogical innovations, various aspects of communication and education based on sustainable development interests.
At the opening of the Winter School, the member of the board, vice-rector for academic affairs of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, L.K. Erkinbayeva, on behalf of the Chairman of the Board — Rector of the university, J.K. Tuymebaev, wished success in the work of the school. «Al-Farabi KazNU has been heading the UN Academic Impact (UNAI) program for sustainable development ‘Academic Impact’ for 10 years and successfully implements the important mission of the university ‘Third Generation’. The university ranks 230th in the QS international ranking. QS Asia universities rank 29th in the ranking. The Winter School makes a significant contribution to the university’s strategy in the field of sustainable development,» the vice-rector said.
Dean of the Faculty of Journalism, T.M. Kopbayev, emphasized the importance of the topics covered in the School, noting that the event is instructive, useful, and the speakers are professionals in their field. The official partners of the event expressed their gratitude to the Cluster Office of UNESCO in Almaty, the «Turkic Language Journalists Fund,» and the «PR-shy» club.
Sergey Karpov, a specialist from the Communications and Information Department of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, noted: «At the last meeting of the UNESCO Chair in Journalism and Communication, we felt the importance of our cooperation. The issues raised by the chair generated great interest in Central Asian countries. Establishing partnership relations between the chair and universities in Central Asia, international institutions aims at discussing innovative methods and approaches to education for sustainable development and further exchange of experience. Four leading journalism universities in Kyrgyzstan have started actively using the resources of the international communication development program in Kyrgyz language based on courses developed by the UNESCO Chair in Journalism and Communication of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University to improve the quality of training for their journalists. This is pleasing. Without such measures, it would be difficult to develop sustainable platforms for improving the quality of education in general.»
Journalist Nurlan Nurgazin, who attended the event, raised the current issue of developing national PR.
President of the «Turkic Language Journalists Fund» Nazyia Zhoyamergen touched upon the development of industry journalism, the use of artificial intelligence in Kazakhstan, and the social responsibility of journalists. She talked about joint events of the Fund with the UNESCO Chair and shared plans for the future, informing the audience about upcoming competitions for students and teachers. Students of the Faculty of Journalism were informed about the organization of the Summer School in Istanbul and the forum of global women journalists jointly with the department.
In the speech of the Chief Manager of the External Communications Department of JSC «Kazakhstan Stability Fund» Aibar Olzhay, the idea was expressed: «At the present stage, when communication has acquired great importance, specialists should also have high qualifications. The Winter School allows you to do this. The synergy of academic education and practical experience creates conditions for the training of professionals. For example, new international requirements are being imposed on specialists in the field of exchange finances. Kazakh-speaking specialists are needed who are proficient in the latest technologies in the financial sector and are able to work with the audience in this direction.»
President of the Turkish Association of Eurasian Cooperation in Culture and Sports, Ahmet Tuzun, expressed support for the students of the Faculty of Journalism of Al-Farabi KazNU who underwent internships in major Turkish media outlets, in enhancing their professional education and experience.
The opening ceremony of the Winter School was attended by teachers and students from Zhetysu University named after I. Zhansugurov, the Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after T. Zhurgenov, Kostanay Regional University named after A. Baitursynov, and Atyrau University named after H. Dosmukhamedov.
The Winter School will continue until March 5 in a hybrid format. Additionally, the Faculty of Journalism is hosting an International Journalism and PR Week.
Head of the UNESCO Chair
in Journalism and Communication