International Seminar “English Connect: Collaboration, Creativity & Growth” Brings Together Experts from Kazakhstan and the United States
On March 13, 2026, the Department of Foreign Languages at S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University hosted the international online seminar “English Connect: Collaboration, Creativity & Growth.”
The event focused on contemporary approaches to English language teaching and the strengthening of international academic collaboration.
The seminar was organized with the support of the Bolashak International Programs Center and in cooperation with international partners .
The seminar was organized and moderated by Guldensin Rakhimbekova, Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages at S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, Bolashak scholarship holder, who successfully completed a research internship at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign under the “500 Scientists” program.
The seminar featured distinguished speakers:
• Zhannur Issina — Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, Candidate of Philological Sciences
• Fatih Thompson — ESL Instructor at North Seattle College and Lake Washington Institute of Technology (USA)
• Kelly Alums Conway — Master’s degree holder in Foreign Language Education, representative of the WPC Working Partners Consortium
• Duman Kaikenov — representative of Astana International University
• Fariza Kurmangali — Senior Lecturer at S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, CELTA-certified English teacher.
Participants discussed key issues shaping modern language education, including the integration of artificial intelligence in teaching, innovative pedagogical practices, digital literacy, and the importance of intercultural communication in the global academic environment.
The seminar brought together teachers, researchers from universities in Kazakhstan and abroad, creating an important platform for knowledge exchange and international collaboration.
