2025-2026 Kazakhstan Visiting scholars
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Ainur Abdina
Position: Associate Professor
University: Astana IT University
Email: Abdin044@umn.edu
Areas of interest:
- Philosophical Anthropology
- Philosophy of Education
- Inclusive Education
- Well-being Studies
Degrees:
- MBA, International Russian-Norwegian Program (Saint-Petersburg, 2022)
- Doctor of Philosophical Sciences, Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Almaty, 2007)
- PhD, Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Almaty, 1997)
- Specialist Degree in Philosophy , Belorussian State University (Minsk, 1991)
I am an Associate Professor at Astana IT University, where I teach several courses related to the history and philosophy of science and education. My research primarily focuses on various aspects of inclusive education, one of the significant areas of modern educational systems. I am currently working on the research project "Assistive Technologies in Inclusive Education: Application Practice in Universities of Kazakhstan."
Furthermore, in my future research, I am interested in expanding my work on inclusivity and integrating it with well-being and demographic transformation themes. Studies of well-being with an emphasis on the quality of life and inclusion of Kazakhstan's elderly population in the era of digitalization are crucial for understanding the ongoing changes that affect societies across the globe, including Kazakhstan.
Through the internship at the University of Minnesota, I aim to develop initiatives at universities in Kazakhstan that advance innovation in inclusivity and well-being research and practice.
Beyond academia, I enjoy fitness training and follow a vegan lifestyle — practices that help me stay focused, energized, and aligned with my values of sustainability and health.
Selected Publications:
Abdina, A., Uyzbayeva, A., & Kuchko, E. (2025). Digital inclusion in philosophical discourse: An analysis of government programs in Kazakhstan and Belarus. Jete - Journal of Philosophy, Religious and Cultural Studies, 1(150), 23-42. https://doi.org/10.32523/3080-1281-2025-150-1-23-42
Turebayeva, G., Abdina, A., & Uyzbayeva, A. (2025). Philosophical foundations of emotional intelligence and inclusion. Bulletin of the Karaganda University. Series of History and Philosophy, 30, 1(117), 363-373. https://doi.org/10.31489/2025HPh1/363-373
Abdina, A., & Uyzbaeva, A. (2024). Philosophy of well-being: Quality of life and inclusion of the elderly population of Kazakhstan in the era of digitalization. Bulletin of the L.N. Gumilyov ENU. Historical Sciences Series. Philosophy. Religious Studies, 3(148), 164-177. https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-7255-2024-148-3-164-177
Turebaeva, G., Abdina, A., & Uyzbaeva, A. (2024). Existentialist perspectives on emotional intelligence in coaching in foreign studies. Bulletin of the Karaganda University. Series of History and Philosophy, 29, 2(114), 321-328. http://doi.org/10.31489/2024HPh2/321-328
Abdina, A., Uyzbaeva, A., & Zhanarstanjva, M. (2023). Analysis of inclusive education in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of the philosophy of independent living. Bulletin of Al Farabi Kazakh National University. Philosophy, Cultural Studies, Political Science Series, 4(86). https://doi.org/10.26577/jpcp.2023.v.86.i4.03
Sarsenbekov, N., & Abdina, A. (2023). Ahmet Yesevi'nin hikmetlerindeki varoluş kategorileri yorumuna yönelimsel yaklaşım [Intentional approach to the interpretation of existence categories in Ahmet Yesevi's wisdom]. Türk Kültürü ve Haci Bektaş Veli Araştırma Dergisi / Turkish Culture and Haci Bektas Veli Research Quarterly, 106. https://hbvdergisi.hacibayram.edu.tr/index.php/TKHBVD/article/view/3335
Selected Courses taught:
- Philosophy
- History and Philosophy of Science
- Project Activity in Cultural Studies
- Research Ethics
Dilfuza Roziyeva
Position: PhD, Associate Professor
University: Kazakh Ablaikhan University of International Relations and World Languages
Email: roziy002@umn.edu
Areas of interest:
- Special and Inclusive Education
- Comparative Linguistics
- English Literature
- Intercultural Communication
- World Literature
Degrees:
- 2011 – 2014
Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages named after Abylai khan.
PhD doctorate in Foreign Philology - 2006 – 2008
Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages named after Abylai khan.
Master's degree in Foreign Philology - 2002 – 2006
Kazakh Abylai khan University of International Relations and World Languages
Faculty of Roman-Germanic philology
Bachelor degree of Philology
I am a Visiting Scholar at the University of Minnesota and an Associate Professor at the Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages. My research interests include comparative literature, linguistics, Uyghur and Turkic studies, translation studies, and special and inclusive education in university education. I have published in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus and am the author and co-author of monographs, textbooks, and academic dictionaries. My current work focuses on interdisciplinary approaches integrating linguistic and literary studies with digital technologies. My scholarly interests emphasize interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of linguistics, literary studies, and digital technologies, and special and inclusive education.
I have presented at international conferences in the United States, Turkey, France, and Kazakhstan and have participated in academic mobility programs at Coastal Carolina University (USA), the University of Perpignan, and the University of Poitiers (France). My academic achievements have been recognized with national and international awards, including the ‘Excellence in Education’ award of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the ‘Honour of the Nation’ medal. I have an Associate Professor Degree on Committee of Education and Science in 2025.
Selected Publications:
Roziyeva D.S. (2014). Ilya Bakhtiya’s Role in Uyghur Poetry. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 20 (2): 144-148, 2014 ISSN 1990-9233 © IDOSI Publications, doi10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2014.20.02.21053
Rozieva D.S., Oldfield A. (2015). Introduction to the Work of Uygur Poet Bakhtiya. CLC Web: Comparative Literature and Culture 17.
https://doi.org/10.7771/1481-4374.2429
Zikhrollayev E.M., Islam A., Ismagulova B.Kh., Roziyeva D.S. (2021). Translation Issues Of Political Interview ASTRA Salvensis, no. 1/2021 351-364
https://astrasalvensis.eu/blog/mdocs-posts/27-e-zikhrollayev-a-islam-b-ismagulova-d-roziyeva-translation-issues-of-political-interview/
Bazarbekov B., Tleuberdiev B., Kulanova B., Roziyeva D., Khussainova D. (2023). Exploring the Linguistic and Conceptual Landscape: The Case of the Toponym ‘Saryarka’ in Kazakh Cultural Discourse. International Journal of Society, Language, Culture Volume 12, Issue 1 353-361
https://www.ijscl.com/article_710915.html
Khussainova G., Tleuberdiyev B. Shakenova M., Islam A., Roziyeva D. (2023). The Cultural Spectrum of Colors: Exploring Kazakh, Korean and English Color Concepts.
International Journal of Society, Language, Culture Volume 12, 80-94 https: /doi.org/10.22034/ijscl.2024.2035309.3565
Selected Courses taught:
- English Literature, World Literature
- Cognitive Linguistics, Stratification of structural system of the language
- Theoretical Phonetics, Stylistics, Text Editing
- English for Specific Purposes, Academic English
Guldana Akhmetova
Position: PhD, Associate Professor
University: Karaganda Medical University
Email: GAkhmeto@umn.edu
Areas of interest:
- Higher Education Development
- Teaching Approaches/Innovative Methods of Teaching
- Academic Writing
Degrees:
- PhD, Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Education (class 2017)
Profile:
I am Guldana Akhmetova, Associate Professor of the Department of History of Kazakhstan and Social and Political Disciplines at the Karaganda Medical University. I began my career at the Karaganda State Medical Academy (KSMA) in 2006. My previous roles include:
- Lecturer at the Department of History of Kazakhstan and Social and Humanitarian Disciplines
- Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department
- Deputy Dean of the Faculty of General Medicine for Foreign Students
Additionally, I worked as a senior expert in the Department of Methodological Support of the Bologna Process and Academic Mobility Center of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2012–2013). In 2016, I defended my doctoral thesis (PhD) on the topic of “Faculty Perceptions and Experiences of Curriculum Renewal in Kazakhstan’s Higher Education” at the Nazarbayev University, Graduate School of Education (NUGSE). From 2017 to 2018, I worked as a project manager for the TRUNAK [Transition to University Autonomy in Kazakhstan] project to develop a model of academic autonomy in universities in Kazakhstan.
I also participated as a researcher in the WELCOME project to study the internationalization of universities. In 2021, I completed my post-doctoral studies at the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education (NUGSE) as part of the Nazarbayev University Collaborative Research Program (NU-CRP 2021-2023), focusing on Graduate students’ challenges with academic reading and writing in English medium universities in Kazakhstan. My research interests include higher education reform management, innovative teaching methods, and curriculum development issues. I have published 16 articles in reputable journals in Russia and Kazakhstan, and in Scopus Q1 and Q2 journals. My Hirsch Index in Scopus is 2, and my Hirsch Index in Google Scholar is 2.
During my time as a visiting scholar at the University of Minnesota, I plan to publish a monograph/text book in English, translate it into Kazakh, and write two papers for Q1 journals. While writing my monograph/textbook I would like to learn new approaches to academic writing that I can share with my doctoral students. In my free time, I enjoy swimming, reading in multiple languages, and studying French.
Selected Publications:
Akhmetova, G., & Turmukhambetova, A. (2017, October). Transitioning to student-centered learning in Kazakhstan: Undergraduate Student Experiences. In Official Conference Proceedings. The Asian Conference on Education 2017 “Education for change” Kobe, Japan. pp.249-259. https://papers.iafor.org/submission38048/
Akhmetova, G., Hendrikxon, V., & Temirgaliev K. (2019, May). Medical Students’ Experiences of a Project Design. In Official Conference Proceedings. The IAFOR Conference on Educational Research and Innovation (ERI-2019), Virginia, USA. pp.1-10 https://papers.iafor.org/submission45706/
Akhmetova,G., Hendrixson, V., and Nuralieva, U. (2019). Faculty Development Framework: Experience of Kazakhstani Medical Schools. Universal Journal of Educational Research, 7(11), 2278-2286. https://doi:10.13189/ujer.2019.071105
Akhmetova, G. (2020). Matritsa razrabotki zadanii dlya prakticheskih zanyatii [Matrix of task development for practical lessons], Vysshee obrazonanyie segonnya=Higher Education Today, 11, 32-36. [In Russ.] https://doi:10.25586/RNU.HET.20.11.P.32
Akhmetova, G.& Beisenova, A. (2021). Pochemy student boyat’sya otvenstvennosti za svoe obrazovanye [Why Do Students Fear to Take Responsibility for Their Own Learning?], Bulletin of Toraighyrov University, Humanities Series 1, 66-86. In Russ., abstract in Eng. https://doi.org/10.48081/SFLL6324
Afzal, M.T., Shegebayev, M., Akhmetova,G., Gordyn, R., & Anthwi, S. (2021). The Challenges that Kazakhstani Graduate Students Experience with Academic Reading and Writing in English. Toraighyrov University Journal. The Pedagogical Series,3, 276-285. https://doi.org/10.48081/OHKJ9928
Akmetova,G. & Sciala, M. (2021). Challenges in online learning of International Students at the Medical University of Karaganda. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Bulletin Psychology and Sociology, 3(78), 4-12. https://doi.org/10.26577/JPsS.2021.v78.i3.01
Akhmetova, G. & Alieva, M. (2022). Zhobaga negizdelgen bilim: meditsyna universyteti studentterinin tazhirybesi [Knowledge-Based on Projects: Medical University Students’ Experiences], Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Journal of Educational Sciences, 1 (70), 138-146. [In Kazakh] https://doi.org/10.26577/JES.2022.v70.i1.12
Akhmetova, G., Sciala, M., Temirgaliev, K. (2022). Employing the Socratic Circle as a Method to Engage Medical Students in Deep Learning. Bulletin of the Karaganda University. Pedagogy Series, 1(105), 24-31. https://DOI10.31489/2022Ped1/24-31
Akhmetova, G., Shamatov,D., Afzal Tajik, M.A. (2022), “Education in Central Asia: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan”, In Wolhuter, C.C. and Wiseman,A.W. (Ed.) World Education Patterns in the Global South: The Ebb of Global Forces and the Flow of Contextual Imperatives (International Perspectives on Education and Society, Vol. 43B).
Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp.43-58 . https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-36792022000043B003
Tajik, M.A., Akhmetova, G.Y., Fillipova, L.N., Shamatov, D.A., Zhunussova, G.D. (2022). Students’ Struggles with EMI in Kazakhstani Universities. The Education and Science Journal=Obrazovanie i nauka, 24(8), 95-115. https://DOI:10.17853/1994-5639-2022-8-95-115 [In English]
Akhmetova, G., Makoelle, T. (2022). Exploring Constructive Learning Through Grounded Theory: Experience Of First-Year International Students At A Kazakhstani University. Bulletin of Kazakh National Pedagogic University named after Abai, Pedagogical Sciences Series, 3(75), 12-26. https://doi.org/10.51889/8188.2022.34.51.002
Akhmetova, G.Y. & Khaliullina, L.R. (2023). Reflective writing in social sciences: challenges and opportunities for medical students, Reflective Practice, 24(6), 693-706 https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2023.2237447
Liliya R. Khaliullina1., Nailya N. Askhadullina, Guldana E. Akhmetova, and Anastasia V. Ledeneva (2023). The influence of intelligence types on the professional choice of high school students: On the example of specialized classes of psychological and pedagogical orientation. E3S Web of Conferences 449, PDSED. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202344907015
Selected Courses taught:
- Methods of Social Studies
- Academic Writing
- Political Science