Sub Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Sub Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

After the gaining of independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the necessity of training skilled specialists for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other foreign policy institutions had become topical. Therefore due to the professor Z.U. Ibrashev’s initiative the speciality «International Relations» was opened and it was included into republican classifier of specialties

In this connection in 1992 the Sub Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan was opened within the Historical Department. In1995 this sub department had become a part of the new Department of International Relations. The first head of this sub department was Professor Zharas Umarovich Ibrashev, who was a well-known scholar and Doctor in Historical Sciences. Further the sub department was headed by Professor Kuralay Baizakova, Professor Fatima Kukeyeva, Assistant Professor Saifulla Sapanov. From September 1, 2010 sub department are headed by Assistant Professor Yermek Chukubayev.

The Sub Department of International Relations and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan mission are devoted to the training of undergraduates, graduate students and PhD students (from 2005) on “International Relations”. It should be noted that Dissertation council D14 A 01.21 which includes specialty “History of International Relations and Foreign Policy” are functioning now at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

There are 23 lecturers, 8 of them is Doctors, 1 Ph.D, and other 14 are Candidates.

History of the Chair OF AREA STUDIES AND WORLD ECONOMY

In 2002 the Department began to train specialists in "Area studies".

Area Studies
The main direction of this specialty is a comprehensive study of the countries of a region and their interrelationships, international organizations of the region, and regional associations; as well as development of world and regional policy, economy, regional security issues; extended study of two foreign languages by student's choice. Area Studies include the specialization in such regions as Asian-Pacific, Western Europe, the USA and Canada, the Middle East, Central Asia. The study of these regions is based on a comprehensive approach to the region as a political, economic and cultural integrity and to intra-regional processes, international economic relations of the countries within the region.
The Chair of Area Studies and World Economy was founded by the Resolution of the Rector of KazNU in July 2007 through merging of the Chair of World Economy with one of Area Studies, which was formerly a part of the Chair of International Relations and Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2007-2009, the Chair was headed by Associate Professor I. A. Chernykh, Doctor of Sciences (History). Nowadays Professor K. N. Makasheva is in charge of the Chair. The Chair develops the curricula of "Area Studies". At present, there are five Doctors of Sciences, Professors R.E. Elemesov, K.K. Kozhakhmetov, K.N. Makasheva, I. A. Chernykh G.A., Movkebayeva and six Candidates of Sciences Associate Professors M. A. Augan, B. Z. Buzheeva, M. S. Myrzabekov, K. Zhunis, G.A. Urazbayeva, A. M. Myrzakhmetova, senior instructor O. N. Shkapyak and R.O. Sadykova.
The Chair of Area Studies and World Economy is relatively young. The foundation of this Chair was dictated by the demand for "Area Studies" and "World Economy" due to the rapid growth in the country specified by the process of globalization, internationalization, regionalization and formation of regional subsystems of international relations.
To strengthen the position of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the contemporary system of international relations and successful development of its international ties, it is necessary to have highly qualified specialists in Area Studies trained to perform analytical work, hold negotiations, and coordinate international programs and other activities of foreign relations.
Teaching of disciplines of "Area Studies" is aimed at the comprehensive research of countries of a region in their interrelations; international relations within the region, regional international organizations and associations as well as at the development of world and regional policy and security.
That is the challenge of the time at the labor market to train specialists in Area Studies. The graduates from the Chair are able to fulfill the functions of a consultant, personal assistant, and diplomatic employee, and researcher, expert in the state bodies, governmental and non-governmental organizations, research and educational institutions.
The Bachelor's Degree program in "Area Studies" is to train specialists in four majoring fields: Asian-Pacific, the Middle East (the Arab States), Western Europe, the USA and Canada.