Aida Balayeva met with representatives of higher educational institutions

On August 26, 2020 in Nur-Sultan, a meeting of the Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aida Balayeva with representatives of higher educational institutions on the topic «The level of journalism in the Republic of Kazakhstan» was held in an online format.

The meeting was attended by the rectors and vice-rectors of 20 domestic universities that produce journalists, producers, cameramen and other industry specialists.

On the eve of the start of the new academic year, the meeting participants discussed topical issues on training industry specialists in the sector, in particular, the development of analytical and practical skills among students of the «Journalism» specialty, providing the market with specialists in the field of television and radio broadcasting, etc.

The Minister expressed concern about the level of training of journalists, as well as the decline in employment rates of graduates of the «Journalism» specialty.

At the same time, she noted that the Ministry is ready to assist in organizing internships for students in the state media to develop their practical skills.

In addition, Aida Balayeva shared the Ministry's long-term and short-term plans to improve the level of training of media professionals.

Within the National information development plan for 2020-2022, the Ministry intends to work together to improve educational programs, develop research journalism, and annually hold a creative competition «Umit» among students of domestic universities.

In order to systematize and improve the level and effectiveness of education, the Ministry has developed a Special project for training, retraining and advanced training of media professionals.

Balayeva separately drew attention to the need to develop media and information literacy of the population.

«Media literacy training is a priority in many developed countries, such as Sweden and Finland. The dynamic development of social networks has led to the regular dissemination of fake information, cyberbullying and information attacks have developed», - she said.

In this regard, the Minister proposed to introduce the discipline «Media and information literacy» in universities.

At the end of the meeting, Aida Balayeva thanked the participants of the meeting and expressed her readiness to continue further cooperation.