Smirnova: Officials Should Be Held Accountable if Summative Assessments Were a Mistake
Images | Depositphotos
Mazhilis deputy Irina Smirnova has commented on the Ministry of Education’s plans to abolish Summative Assessment for a Unit (SOR) and Summative Assessment for a Term (SOCh).
In her view, any such changes should be preceded by a thorough review of the system.
They were introduced over a long period of time, and substantial public funds were allocated for their implementation. If this turned out to be the wrong decision, then the officials who introduced these measures should probably be held accountable. It should not be the case that something is introduced today and abolished tomorrow," the deputy was quoted as saying by Zakon.kz.
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A Centre for the Culture of Turkic Peoples has been opened at the University of Warsaw
Images | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan
A ceremonial opening took place at the University of Warsaw for the Centre for the Culture of Turkic Peoples, a new academic hub designed to promote the study of the history, languages and cultures of the Turkic world, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
The Centre was established at the initiative of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies of the University of Warsaw, with the support of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation and the Embassies of Turkic-speaking countries accredited in Poland.
Aktoty Raimkulova, President of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, delivered a welcoming address, emphasizing the importance of the new centre’s activities in strengthening scientific, educational and cultural ties between the Turkic-speaking states.
In the opening speech, a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan highlighted the importance of establishing the Centre for the development of academic research, the expansion of intercultural dialogue and the strengthening of humanitarian cooperation between Poland and the states of the Turkic world.
As a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange, the Embassy presented the Centre with a traditional Kazakh souvenir - a torsyk - symbolizing hospitality, prosperity and respect for national traditions.
The ceremony was attended by lecturers and researchers from the University of Warsaw, students, as well as diplomats from Azerbaijan, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
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Tokayev Congratulates Kyrgyzstan on Election to the UN Security Council
Images | Akorda
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has congratulated Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov on Kyrgyzstan’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term, the Akorda presidential press service reported.
This landmark event, which carries historic significance both for the Kyrgyz Republic and for Central Asia as a whole, is a recognition of Kyrgyzstan’s high international standing and the result of the constructive and forward-looking foreign policy pursued under the leadership of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. Kazakhstan consistently supported Kyrgyzstan’s candidacy and remains ready to provide comprehensive support in fulfilling this responsible mission," the congratulatory message said.
President Tokayev wished Kyrgyzstan every success and a productive tenure on the UN Security Council.
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Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic jointly hold a WTO session on the role of water in international trade
Images | gov.kz
The World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in Geneva hosted a joint panel session of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic entitled "Water Across Borders: Trade, Production, and Sustainable Development", organized within the framework of WTO Trade and Environment Week, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports.
Kairat Torebayev, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the WTO and International Economic Organizations and Manira Alagudzhaeva, Vice-President of KAZWATER, who joined the session online from Astana took part at the event.
Permanent Representative K.Torebayev emphasized that for Central Asia, water has become a matter of economic resilience and competitiveness. Against this background, Kazakhstan views water efficiency not as a separate environmental agenda, but as a cornerstone of a new trade strategy. The country is consistently moving towards a model of high value-added agricultural exports, underpinned by water-saving technologies, the modernization of irrigation, and the digitalization of the water sector.
Turning to the role of the WTO, Permanent Representative K. Torebayev noted that public investments in water conservation and climate-resilient agriculture should be recognized as a contribution to global food security, rather than as a distortion of trade. He further encouraged the international community to take today's climate realities into account when shaping the future of global trade.
Alaguzhayeva presented the technological framework of Kazakhstan’s solutions under this agenda, and also put forward an initiative to establish a regional digital platform for monitoring water resources in Central Asia.
In turn, the Czech side expressed support positively assessing Astana`s efforts in this area.
The joint organization of the session by Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic underlined that the two states, located in different parts of the world, share common approaches to the management of transboundary water resources and their linkages with international trade.
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Kazakhstan Ready to Make Every Effort to Expand Cooperation with Cyprus, Tokayev Says
Images | Akorda
Kazakhstan is prepared to make every effort to further strengthen cooperation with Cyprus, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during talks with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, according to the presidential press service Akorda.
I believe we have significant potential to expand bilateral cooperation. For my part, I am ready to make every effort to further develop our partnership across a wide range of areas," the Kazakh leader said.
Christodoulides, in turn, expressed confidence that the talks would contribute to the expansion of bilateral ties.
At the same time, I am visiting Kazakhstan in another capacity. My country currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. Given the importance of this region, and Kazakhstan in particular, I am also ready to discuss ways of further developing cooperation between the European Union and Kazakhstan," he said.
The Cypriot president noted the growing importance of relations between the European Union and Central Asia, emphasizing Kazakhstan’s key role as a strategic partner in the region.
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