TV and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and MNU opened the International School of Journalism in Astana

A grand opening of the International School of Journalism was held at Maqsut Narikbayev University, reports a correspondent of Kazinform MIA, Dinara Iskakova.

The event was attended by Mr. Berik Uali, Advisor – Press Secretary to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mrs. Raushan Kazhibayeva, General Director of the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as Mr. Daniel Rosenblum, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and Ms. Monika Iversen, German Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

A unique educational project was implemented jointly with the TV and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan to train creative and technical specialists for the Kazakhstani media. In the first academic year, 201 students were admitted to the International School, 20 of whom received grants from the President’s TV and Radio Complex and the Presidential Initiatives Fund “Dara”.

Courses are taught in English with certain subjects in Kazakh and Russian. The curriculum for future journalists is developed on the basis of the best world practices used at Columbia University, Berkeley University, Princeton University and City University of London.

Presidential spokesman Berik Uali noted that such a project will help to nurture real professionals of international level.

“I am sure that the International School of Journalism will offer students great opportunities for future professional growth. Besides, 70 percent of training here is in English and 30 percent in Kazakh and Russian languages. Overall, this is a solid project to educate and broaden students’ horizons internationally. This is the first time a journalism faculty of this scale has been opened in Kazakhstan. I am sure that the specialists who will be trained here will form a great school for the next generation,” Berik Uali said.

The curriculum for future journalists is developed on the basis of the best world practices used at Columbia University, Berkeley University, Princeton University, City University of London. The opportunity to gain practical experience will be provided to students by the resources of TV and radio companies: Jibek Joly TV channel, Kazinform IA and the Center for Documentary Cinema. In addition, students will be trained by graduates of Columbia University, University of Cambridge, New York Film Academy, Mississippi Valley State University and Michigan State University USA.

“The rapid changes occurring around the world impose ever more stringent demands on professional journalism. You need to be able to process, analyze, filter and critically reflect on a large amount of information. In addition, modern media have turned multimedia. And we must give an opportunity to the new generation of journalists, our future colleagues, to get up-to-date knowledge and skills to work in different formats,” said Raushan Kazhibayeva, Director General of the Presidential TV and Radio Complex.

The joint project of the TV and Radio Complex of the President of Kazakhstan and Maqsut Narikbayev University became the first in Kazakhstan on support and professional development of talented youth, creating a journalist corps that meets the modern communicative demands of society and the state.