Joint PhD projects of KazNU with Lille 1 University (France)

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University has long-standing and strong partnership relations with France in the field of education. It has become a good tradition to hold the regular information days, various meetings and presentations to faculty and university students organized by International Cooperation Department of the University with the support of the Embassy of France in Kazakhstan.

One of such meetings was held on November 30, 2010 in the building of the Faculty of Journalism. The special importance of this event is a visit of Professor François-Olivier Seys, Director of International Relations Department of Lille 1 University (France) as well as a frequent guest of the KazNU, Attaché for university cooperation of the Embassy of France in the Republic of Kazakhstan Ms. Noemie Larrouilh who initiated the arrangement of a meeting, the purpose of which was to discuss issues of joint educational programs involving the issuance of two diplomas - KazNU and Lille 1University, in the frame of PhD-doctoral studies in such courses as "Education and Science", “Science and Technology”, “Economics and Management", "Social Sciences ".

During the meeting Professor François-Olivier Seys made a brief presentation of the Lille 1 University for managers, teachers and PhD students of the KazNU, told that University he has been representing holds the second position in the ranking of universities of France and also expressed the enormous interest in developing cooperation. "In the Strategy of International Cooperation of the Lille 1 University developing relations with Kazakhstan has great importance and the University is willing to work with the KazNU in teaching graduate students and the quality of education in the al-Farabi Kazakh National University meets all required standards"- the Professor emphasized. According to the Professor’s proposed draft there will be two scientific supervisors assigned to a doctorate student: from KazNU and Lille 1 University. Doctorate student shall study both in their alma mater and in France. Teaching and scientific supervising in the French university can be fulfilled according to the student’s desire in English, German, Dutch or French, which was especially warmly perceived by doctorate students of KazNU who speak English and German languages. The outcome of the joint educational program will be a thesis defended by the doctorate student and issuance of diplomas that are mutually recognized by both universities which is topical for KazNU students for whom there is now another opportunity to obtain both national and European education at the same time.

The University of Lille 1 is one of the largest scientific universities of France, which offers wide choice of specialties on such directions as science and techniques, engineering, human and social science, economics and administration. The University has a huge research potential and unique possibilities for scientific and research work. More than 18000 students study at the university and 20% of them are foreign students and faculty staff is more than 1400. 40 research centers operate in the base of university.

Nowadays France pays more attention to the development of double diploma practice.

This form of cooperation is becoming the leading form of cooperation of European universities with the universities of foreign countries. Certainly, creation of joint double diploma programs will lead the interuniversity cooperation to a new quality level and also promotes the creation of free academic area and rising of academic mobility.

The meeting was held in a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. One could hear Russian, French and English at the same time. Professor Seys, who had worked for four years at the Embassy of France in the Republic of Kazakhstan, conversed with students in Russian and Kazakh in a manner typical of the French academic circle - ‘ask more questions get better results’. At the conclusion of the meeting Ms. Larrouilh answered various questions of the KazNU students and teachers on the possibilities and peculiarities of studying in France.

International Cooperation Department