Enhancement of postgraduate studies on sustainable agriculture and future farming systems

International Forum "Prospects of postgraduate education in agricultural universities of Russia and Kazakhstan on the way to integration into the international scientific community" was held on December 10, 2021 and was the final and concluding part of the first Block Seminar on Module 3 "Advanced methods of scientific working". The participants of this event were the representatives of the consortium of SAGRIS project from 5 EU partner universities and 4 Russian and 4 Kazakh universities with consulting and expert support of accreditation agencies, research organizations and businesses in Russia and Kazakhstan.The International Forum began with the plenary session  "Solutions and proposals for enhancement of postgraduate education in the sphere doctoral studies in agriculture. Positive examples, challenges and prospects for third cycle education".


International Forum started with the welcoming speech of Prof. Aitzhan M. Abdyrov, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Academic Affairs - Rector. In his speech he focused on general concept of the state of Kazakhstan in agricultural sector, also the contribution of the SAGRIS project in the development of agricultural sector.


Next speaker was Erkin N. Satenbaev, Head of Science Department of NASEC RK, on "Agrarian science in implementation of national policy of development of agro-industrial complex up to 2025". Erkin Satenbaev familiarized forum participants with National project of Kazakhstan 2021-2025, where main accent made on the ways of solution of weaknesses of agrarian sector development in the country. Also raised issue of point financing and involvement of "business environment" for solution of urgent problems.

According to the programme of the forum Evgeny I. Gromov, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Educational Process Management Centre of Stavropol State Agrarian University presented on "Transformation of scientific and educational policy in conditions of implementation of the Russian National Project Priority 2030". Then Sergey Ryumkin, c.e.s., Associate Professor, Head of scientific department of Novosibirsk State Agrarian University acquainted listeners with the available opportunities and prospects of pedagogical staff training. Also Director of Institute of postgraduate education KazNARU, Associate Professor, PhD, Ainura Aldiyarova presented the topic "The system of training scientific personnel in doctoral studies on the example of KazNARU", where she voiced current problems of postgraduate system.


At the same time, impulse speeches heard from speakers from Russia and Kazakhstan on the topics "Challenges for young scientists of agrarian universities in Russia" and "Realization of personal and professional potential of a young researcher in the context of global challenges and labor market demands" respectively.


As a result of the International Forum, the following proposals were adopted:

  • develop a structure of Strategy on improvement of postgraduate education in educational institutions of Kazakhstan and presentation of vision of each university in view of specificity of their approaches in training;

  • introduce new modules SAGRIS in existing doctoral education programs, to harmonize curricula, to create a curriculum that meets requirements of Bologna process;

  • organize scientific internships with the obligatory travel to scientific adviser;

  • disseminate experience in the development of advanced and modern programmes aimed at the agricultural sector and the training of scientific and pedagogical staff, specialists in doctoral studies.