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We are aware quite well of the importance of the Message of the Head of the State N.A. Nazarbayev referred to as “New Opportunities For Development Under The Conditions of The Fourth Industrial Revolution” dated January 10, 2018 for every citizen of our country. Kazakhstan has committed to its intensive development. As part of the Kazakhstan-2050 Development Strategy, 100 specific steps for the National Plan are being taken, and the Third Modernization of Kazakhstan has commenced; the Industrialization Program is being successfully implemented, and a comprehensive “Digital Kazakhstan” Program has been adopted; we are clearly aware of the implementation of the comprehensive strategic plan for the development of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2025.
The content of the Message is devoted to the development of the country under the conditions of the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”. Kazakhstan should become the leader in introducing new technologies of industrialization; 10 primary objectives to be performed by us are as follows: a further development of the resource potential; “smart technologies” – the possibility of an intensive development of the agro-industrial complex; improving the efficiency of the transport and logistics infrastructure; introduction of modern technologies into the construction and utilities sector; “re-modernization” of the financial sector; human capital is the basis of modernization; effective state management; fight against corruption and the supremacy of law; “smart cities”, and “smart nation”. In the educational sphere of Kazakhstan, steps are being taken for the civilized development aimed at entering the world educational space.
The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University takes an active part in the implementation of the above-listed objectives. The University is currently working under a two-diploma education program in conjunction with 37 leading universities in the world, and also with the MGIMO, the Russian University of Nations Friendship and the Shanghai University. Scientists from the United States, France, Finland, China, Poland, and Latvia conduct classes in the University, in addition, the teaching staff of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University gives lectures abroad as well. The Youth Business Incubator of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University is carrying out work of the IT Technopark and the IT Business Incubator to develop a Startup Zone now.
At present, the primary goal of the Information Technologies Department headed by the Professor Zhanat Kunapiyakyzy Nurbekova is to introduce computer and information technologies into many areas of the society and the modern industry, i.e., to train highly skilled new-generation IT specialists subject to the requirements of Digital Kazakhstan. The primary objective of the Department is to consolidate and develop the leading positions in Kazakhstan in the training of highly skilled specialists in ІСТ-technologies, software engineering and IT management by a new quality of the system instruction to improve the domestic education at the international level, moreover, to educate many-sided specialists with a deep and spiritually developed knowledge. The establishment of a scientific and technical and educational centre for the training of IT specialists with a deep practical knowledge, innovative ideas and research experience ensures the competitive and advanced development in the world educational space. IT Department consisting of the best teaching staff of the country has 5 Chairs. The Department train specialists under 7 educational programs at 3 levels. At present, it is very important to establish cooperation with major IT companies. To train IT new-generation specialists, work is carried out with some advanced IT companies, in particular, IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, InterSystems, EPAM, “Programming in the Apple Environment”, the Department participates in the pilot project implementation to set up a “SAP” laboratory, and suppliers of an electronic textbooks system are the Consortium members.
Since 2002, the Chair of System Analysis and Management established by M.A. Beisenbi, Doctor of Engineering Science, Professor, has been training skilled engineers. Graduates should know the architecture of the automated systems and control systems for various facilities and processes, and the principles of organization thereof; should be able to use modern methods of creating information and software tools; to distinguish methods of analyzing information trends and to make calculations for the operation of software tools of automated and management systems, and to perform a system analysis of technical systems, processes and producing operations.
At present, we know how responsible the work is to train competitive specialists for the society, and the Chairs of the Information Technologies Department of the University are engaged in integrating knowledge between the science and the production when performing a high-quality academic work by combining three units: knowledge, science and innovation. According to the technical profile, the Chair of Scientific and Research Comprehensive Program actively uses the means to research pneumatic automation and NationalInstruments (USA) and FESTO Gmb (Germany) mechatronic systems, Robotino Festo and Mitsubishi moving robots, a 3D printer, and Raspberry Pi and Arduino microcontrollers in the educational process.
The said opportunities are aimed at developing qualified specialists. As a result, innovation projects of the Chair’s teachers and students are highly appreciated every year. Some projects of the IT Department marked in 2017 may be exemplified: an available and mobile version of the National Kazakh Game “Togyz Kumalak” (PlayMarket and AppStore), a socially significant “MG14 TV Guide Robot”, “Holographic 3D Pyramid”, “Mobile Robotic Complex”, and over a hundred digital educational resources are being implemented.
Graduates of the Department are being currently employed by some national companies, in particular, the National Company KazMunayGas JSC, KEGOC JSC, Kazposhta (Kazpost) JSC, National Information Technologies JSC, JSC National Railway Company of Kazakhstan, Kazakhtelecom JSC, JSC “National Engineering Company of Kazakhstan, JSC National Company of Kazakhstan “Garysh sapary”, JSC National Company “Socially-Entrepreneurial Corporation “Aktobe”, JSC National Company “International Merchant Seaport of Aktau”, JSC “National Company “Astana EXPO-2017”, JSC “National Company “KazAutoZhol”, Astana Su Arnasy, Kazaeronavigatsia, International Airport of Astana and others. Thanks to the knowledge gained “within the walls of”, they carry out their work at the highest level and certificates of merit are received by the University. In addition, there are many of our graduates who work abroad.
In 2018, the following list of the most famous and widespread technological trends can be noted: Artificial Intelligence Permeation, Digital Centralization, 5G Preparation, Data Overload, White Collar Automation, Seamless Conversation, and UI Overhauls. And if we review the promising technologies in 2018-2020, this will be as follows: Artificial Intelligence, Smart Apps, Intelligent Things, Digital Twins, Edge Computing, Intelligent Platforms, Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Event Driven Techs, and Security.
Summing up, it should be noted that it is necessary to actively develop and apply the said information and technology platforms in the educational process and educational programs. for this purpose, first of all, one should switch over to the updated content of education so as to improve the status of the teacher, to increase their role in the educational sphere, and to create opportunities that reveal the inner potential giving a creative impetus. We do hope that the academic freedom will be supported with the legislative base by empowering to implement educational programs in higher education institutions.
The author is Zhanar Yermekbayeva, Ph.D, Associate Professor of the System Analysis and control Department at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.
