THE AUTHOR OF THE LISBON CONVENTION GAVE A LEADERSHIP LECTURE AT KAZNU

The head of the Department of Education of the Council of Europe, Honorary Doctor of Dublin City University, Professor Sjur Bergan delivered a leadership lecture at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

The Guest of Honor was welcomed by the Chairman of the Board – Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Zhanseit Tuimebayev. Professor Bergman is a prominent expert in the field of education at the Council of Europe. He made a significant contribution to the implementation of the Bologna process, as well as the creation of the European Higher Education Area. One of the main authors of the "Lisbon Recognition Convention" played a key role in signing this strategic document and received an award from the European Association of International Education in the nomination "Vision and Leadership".

Professor Bergan represented the Council of Europe in the Bologna Group and the Board from 2000 to April 2022. Today he remains a member of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) working group on the fundamental values of higher education.

“As you are aware, there are not so many CIS countries that are members of the Bologna Process. And Kazakhstan is one of the first countries after Russia to join the Bologna process. Professor Sjur Bergan helped in the work of the commission, which visited universities, checked documents before the decision was made to accept Kazakhstan. We are currently gaining the benefits of this work. Our students, not only from KazNU, but also from the whole republic, can study and undergo an internship at any university in Europe” - the head of the university stated.

In his lecture on "Structural reforms in the European Higher Education Area", the lecturer touched upon the topic of the quality of higher education, its compliance with the standards of the Bologna System, which provides for the creation of a coherent and consistent structure for the recognition of relevant qualifications in the higher education system.

The European higher education system has gone through a stage of rapid development since the adoption of the "Lisbon Recognition Convention" in 1997. As part of the structural reforms, a key issue arose about quality control of educational programs that must meet the high standards and requirements of the Bologna system.

"Quality control is the main issue in the field of higher education in Europe. The quality control of higher education in Kazakhstan showed that the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University meets the requirements and parameters, which I had no doubt about. When we talk about formal confirmation of this fact, we mean that higher education in any country should be based on European standards and norms" Mr. Bergan stressed.

During the event, Chairman of the Board – Rector of KazNU Zhanseit Tuimebayev thanked Professor Bergan for the informative lecture and solemnly presented a diploma on conferring the title of honorary professor of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and a Gold Medal of KazNU.

Press Service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University