Chair history
In 1992 at the department of the Far East countries of the faculty of Oriental Studies opened a section of Japanese language and literature. It is still one of the leading Kazakhstan centers training highly qualified specialists with Japanese language. The founders of the section and the first teachers of Japanese language were A.A.Kamaldinov and Mr.Okawa Kh., who is the author of the first "Kazakh-Japanese phrasebook". The first graduates of 1996 are teachers of our faculty. The department of Japanese studies was one of the young departments of the faculty.
In summer 2003 as a result of the reorganization of the department of the Far East countries, consisted of Chinese and Japanese sections, the department of Japanese philology was established. In 2005 it was renamed into the department of Japanese studies.
In 1994, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Ko Song Mu, professor of the Helsinki university, and Mr.Kim Phil-Yong, master of literature of INALCO university (Paris), who represented the Association of Korean and cross-cultural studies in cooperation with al-Farabi Kazakh national university, the department of Korean studies has been established for the first time.
The first head of the department was Mr.Kim Phil Yong and under his supervision the Korean language was taught by teachers from South Korea. At the initial stage, an important role was played by Government of Korea, funds of Korean studies, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and South Korean businessmen.
Korean philology department annually in April held a "Week of Korean studies", where students from other universities also took part.
Already in the first years the students of this faculty took study tours to Korea.
1999 – is a significant date in the history of the department, as the first graduation of the Korean sector took place. Four graduates became teachers of the department, which was headed by doctor of historical science, professor Kim Herman Nikolaevich. In the same year, on October 26, 1999 Academic council of al-Farabi KazNU approved the name "Department of Korean studies."
From 1999 to 2008 head of the department of Korean studies was doctor of historical science, professor Kim G.N. He was awarded with diplomas of the Ministry of science and education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Central Committee of the Young Communist League of Kazakhstan, the silver badge of the Union of Free German Youth of German Democratic Republic, association of Koreans of Kazakhstan, with a diploma of al-Farabi KazNU, by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
N.A.Nazarbayev from December 7, 2007 doctor of historical science, professor Kim G.N. was awarded with the title of “Honored worker of Kazakhstan”.
From 2008 to 2010 head of the department of Korean studies was Em Natalia Borisovna, an associate professor, candidate of historical science.
During her leadership, the department won positive reputation, both within the Kazakhstan education market, and within universities and educational institutions in the Republic of Korea. During this period, the department has signed more than 15 agreements on cooperation with leading Korean universities, and initiated a double-diploma program with the Kangnam university.
The department trains students with majors in 050505 – “Regional studies”, 050209 – “Oriental Studies”, 050215 – “Foreign philology: Korean Language”, 050207 – “Translation studies” and releases graduates.
Department views its mission as creation of the necessary conditions for the formation and development of personalities, becoming competitive specialists in the labor market basing on the national and universal values, scientific and practical achievements.
The level of professionalism of the Korean department faculty is recognized at the governmental level, both in Kazakhstan and in the Republic of Korea.
The senior lecturer of the Department Ms.Choi Mi Ok on 9 October, 2008 was awarded a governmental award of the Republic of Korea. Ms.Choi Mi Ok personally received a medal and a diploma “For the promotion of Koran Language and Culture” from the hands of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Mr.Han Seung Sun.
Since the establishment of the department, the following South Korean teachers have tought here: Zhang Won Jang, Baek The Hyun, Yoon Young-Ho, Song Yong-Hun, Kim Sang Uk, Park U Shin, Kim Gyt Suk, Shin Mi Hyan, Paek Tae Hyun, Kim Young Sook, Kwon Yong-Hoon, Kim Sung Chol, Kim Yong So, Hwang Yong Sam, Hyun Jae-Ho, Kwang Geun Tok, Lee Hye John, Kim Ik Hwang, Kim Mi Jung, Chan Beng Sunn (since 2007), Ha Ryong Hye (since 2007), Jong Mi Suk (since 2009).
In 2011 as a result of the restructuring of all departments of al-Farabi KazNU department of Korean studies and department of Japanese studies were merged into the department of Korean and Japanese studies.
From 2011 to 2014 department of Korean and Japanese studies was headed by candidate of historical science, associate professor Balakaeva Lyailya Tultaevna. Her field of scientific research included the study of the issues of modern historical processes in the countries of Asia and Africa.
At the present time the head of the department of the Far East is a candidate of historical science, associate professor Em Natalia Borisovna.
The presence of intensive international contacts give teachers opportunities to improve their professional level through foreign internships, advanced training courses and participation in seminars held by foreign organizations.
Regular courses for improving qualification and seminars on various aspects of teaching Japanese language, literature, and others are organized by the assistance of the Embassy of Japan in Kazakhstan.
At the end of the seminars and advanced training courses teachers get certificates.
The department includes 41 people: 23 teachers of Korean and Japanese languages, 5 teachers of history and literature of Korea and Japan, 3 - specialists with higher education. Among the teachers: 2 doctors of historical science, professors, 7-candidates of science (5 of them are associate professors); 1 – PhD-doctor 15– senior teachers; 6 – teachers.
In 2016-2017 academic year the teaching staff of the department according to the staff schedule number 31.
Professor of the department, director of the International center of Korean studies, doctor of historical science, Kim G.N. in 2016-2017 academic year is located at the Hankuk university (Republic of Korea) as a visiting professor.
The stuff of the department of Japanese studies looks into the future with confidence. The opening of PhD on our department is planed.
According to the statements of the Strategy of KazNU development on our department the changes in the system of formation of the stuff are carried out. These changes are based on aspiration to create high qualified stuff having a good potential to prepare a good specialists according to a new system of education.
On the main prospects is the extension of international relations of the department with the universities and the largest language centers of Japan by joint training specialists of different degrees, developing language and scientific training courses for teachers and students, taking part in different conferences and projects, signing agreements about mutual collaboration with the university of Nara and other universities of Japan and Korea.
With the aim to improve the rate of the employment of our students will be used all opportunities for integration into international system of education and science.
Department’s academic staff always works at the improvement of professional skills. Close international links give teachers opportunities to improve their professional skills by having a great range of international study courses, taking part in seminars, held by foreign organizations. By the instrumentality of the Embassy of Japan and Korea in Kazakhstan regular courses for improving qualification and seminars about different aspects of teaching Japanese and Korean language and literature are organized.
The stuff of the Japanese Study department with confidence looks into the future. The opening of PhD on our department is planed.
According to the statements of the Strategy of KazNU development on our department the changes in the system of formation of the stuff are carried out. This changes are based on aspiration to create high qualified stuff having a good potential to prepare a good specialists according to a new system of education.
On of the main prospects is the extension of international relations of the department with the Universities and the largest language centers of Japan by joint training specialists of different degrees, developing language and scientific training courses for teachers and students, taking part in different conferences and projects, signing agreements about mutual collaboration with the University of Nara and other universities of Japan and Korea.
With the aim to improve the rate of the employment of our students will be used all opportunities for integration into international system of education and science.
The department includes 34 people: 30 teachers of Korean and Japanese languages, 9 teachers of history and literature of Korea and Japan, 2 - specialists with higher education. Among the teachers: 1 Doctor of historical sciences, 1 Doctor of political sciences, 1 Doctor of Philology, 3 Professors, 3 Acting Professors, 2 Associate Professors, 3 Acting Associate Professors, 6 candidates of sciences (of which 3 are associate professors); 9 Ph(D), 31 senior teachers; 5 teachers.
In 2020-21 academic year the teaching staff of the department according to the staff schedule number - 30.
The department included:
∙ a professor of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, PhD Lee Beng Joe (Republic of Korea);
∙ a professor of Hallym University, PhD Chun Deok Chun (Republic of Korea);
∙ a professor of Tsukuba university, PhD Ninomiya, Takashi (Japan)
The staff list of the department includes the following teachers-citizens of other countries:
∙ Chang Won Ki (the Republic of Korea)
∙ Miyong Sunok (the Republic of Korea)
∙ Ten U.P. (the Republic of Uzbekistan)
∙ Chan Beng Sun (the Republic of Korea)
∙ Choi Ji Young (the Republic of Korea)
On maternity leave are:
∙ teacher Dairova A.S.
∙ senior teacher Nurseitova L.D.
∙ senior teacher Ryspekova N.S.
∙ senior teacher Tokkarina A.М.
∙ senior teacher Shadayeva M.T.
∙ PhD, senior teacher Abagan A.B.
According to the resolution of the rector's meeting on the inclusion of the department of teachers from the partners and employers of the department, the academic load was received:
1. Bahautdinova G. – General Director of “New & Rare Resources” LLP;
2. Ospanov N.M. - Researcher, Department of the Asia-Pacific Region, Institute of Oriental Studies, Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan
In addition, the department accepted the following professors:
1. Safronova L.V. - doctor of philology, professor of Abai KazNPU.
The following teachers of department have the diploma of foreign university:
1. Ten Y.P. – a doctor of linguistics, Uzbek state university of world languages;
2. Chan Beng Sun – a master of Dongguk university (Republic of Korea), majoring in "Management", a candidate of political science.
3. Miong Sunok – a master of Yonse university (Republic of Korea), faculty of public administration, qualification is "Political diplomat", PhD, faculty of Philosophy and political science, majoring in Cultural anthropology
4. Ahapov E.A. – PhD in Global environment studies from the Graduate school of Global environmental studies, Kyoto university (Japan);
5. Belyalova A.E. - PhD in Education Management and Educational Policy, Dongguk University (Republic of Korea)
6. Toktarova Zh.B. - PhD in Korean Studies, Ewha Womans University (Republic of Korea)
7. Shatekova G.K. - PhD in Management, Nam Seoul University (Republic of Korea)
8. Kim E.V. - MIS in Korean Studies, Seoul National University (Republic of Korea)
9. Shadaeva M.T. – a master of GRIPS (National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies), Japan.
10. Bakhautdinova G.N. - graduate of the Bolashak program in 2014 (June-October) Theory and methods of education and training innovative educational technologies, Enhancement of educational practices, Brunel university London.
The department has 216 undergraduates, 17 graduate students, 6 PhD students. Total: 239
grant - 130
contract - 94
graduate students - 17
grant - 14
Ph(D) students - 7
Grant - 7
Of these, the share of students on a contract basis from the total enrollment of the contingent of the current academic year is 42%.