The human rights Commissioner supports student initiatives
July 14, 2020 - students of the West Kazakhstan state University named after M. Utemisov, participants of the research project competition "CAPSTONE PROJECT", implemented By the international prison reform (PRI) with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kazakhstan, presented their final research projects. For the first time in four years of implementation of the "CAPSTONE PROJECT" in Kazakhstan, the defense of research papers was held in the online format.
The “CAPSTONE PROJECT”, dedicated to pilot courses on human rights in Kazakh universities, has created a new educational tool to improve the educational process and introduce research methods, in particular capstone projects, widely known in the international research community
Since September 2019, West Kazakhstan state University has held a number of events related to the project implementation, with the participation of representatives of local authorities, the administration of the educational institution, as well as international and national PRI experts. The official launch of the project took place with the participation of 21 students of the faculty of History, Economics and law, selected for participation in the project based on the results of two qualifying rounds. For nine months, students participating in the "CAPSTONE PROJECT", divided into seven teams, participated in a number of events initiated within the framework of this project, while exploring topical issues of human rights protection in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Ms. Sonja Kaup, Deputy head of mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Kazakhstan, noting the need to support students, says: "The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kazakhstan has been supporting the CAPSTONE PROJECT at various universities throughout Kazakhstan for several years. I am glad that this year Capstone was held at the West Kazakhstan state University, and even in the conditions of the ongoing pandemic, all students were able to continue their research. Growing ambitions go hand in hand with growing responsibilities. The future of Kazakhstan is in the hands of its youth. The students present here today and all students across Kazakhstan will play an important role in these events. They will help define and shape the future of this country."
"Coronavirus infection should be perceived not only as a destructive phenomenon, but also as an enlightening phenomenon. The stress tolerance of many aspects of human life, including education, has been tested, and this test has yielded results. According to UNESCO, during the spread of coronavirus infection, 90% of students were sent home for distance learning. Of course, not all 90% have the ability to obtain knowledge remotely. Therefore, today we are beginning to understand that in order to prevent a decline in the overall level of education in the world, there is a need to use scientific achievements of mankind, such as technologies of distance education and self-education. We need to recognize their great potential and practical significance in the current reality to ensure the realization of everyone's right to education, which is also supported by international organizations,"-Elvira Abilkhasimovna is quoted as saying.
According to the Vice-Rector for educational and methodological work of the West Kazakhstan state University named after M. Utemisov, Tasmagambetov asset Sembaevich: "The processes of improving and modernizing higher legal education in the Republic of Kazakhstan determine the need to expand scientific ties with as many foreign universities as possible, various scientific and human rights organizations around the world. Our students 'participation in the international project" CAPSTONE PROJECT"is one of the indicators of such modernization."
Regional program Manager of the Penal Reform International (PRI) representative Office in Central Asia, Zhanna Nazarova notes: "It is fair to say that the CAPSTONE PROJECT is a breakthrough youth project for Kazakhstan, as it involves the successors of today's human rights defenders-future lawyers, journalists, judges and prosecutors. We launched the "CAPSTONE PROJECT"to remind young people: whatever you decide to do in the future, never forget about human rights, about humanity."