INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP AT Al-FARABI KAZNU
WITH PARTICIPATION OF THE EDITOR OF «TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION»

International seminar "Experience of Kazakhstan Universities in the world university rankings of Times Higher Education» with participation of Phil Baty - the well known journalist, publicist and organizer, editor of the Times Higher Education Rankings, took place on the eve of Nauruz in the Al-Farabi KazNU, with support and assistance of MES RK and British Council.

The first Vice-Rector of KazNU prof. M.Burkitbayev said that the theme of the Seminar: studying foreign experience of participation in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and methods of involving Kazakhstan Universities, is among the priorities in the context of the Address of the President N.A. Nazarbayev to the people of Kazakhstan.

The participants were offered the presentations on the history of the magazine, rating methodology in the context of global higher education; positions of Kazakhstan Universities in the rankings: challenges and opportunities.

The event caused a great resonance among the staff of Kazakhstani Universities, who are observing current trends in the exchange of scientific information.
The new technology of rankings proposed by the magazine Times Higher Education (THE) in tandem with the well-known brand Tomson Reuters, is prepared according to the criteria and categories, which take into account the level of teaching and research, citation and contribution of the University to science. 200 thousand people per day are visiting THE site, and when the results of the global universities rankings were presented in the site in October 2011 and March this year, this figure reached a record 1.6 million people.
THE team is open for dialogue and as the editor said, it aims to combine the world's intellectuals to discuss the pressing issues of the Universities. Thanks to the modernization of the journal, we can exchange useful information, recruit foreign students and teachers and confirm the reputation of the University.

Mr. Phil Baty in his concluding remarks said that the organization of the 2 days seminar in Al-Farabi KazNU shows the interest of the government in education and willingness to continue funding the international collaboration. Phil Baty has done the evaluation and gave specific recommendations on the positioning in the ranking of THE on the example of Al-Farabi KazNU.
Participants of the seminar, representatives of Kazakhstan Universities, thanked the organizers for the unique opportunity to receive useful advice on entering the world scientific and educational sphere and international rankings. Cooperation with international rankings agencies is continuing at Al-Farabi KazNU.

Gulnar Mukanova
Director, Center for Strategic
Analysis and Forecasting