Academic Learning Studio

The Academic Learning Studio was established by the College of Human Sciences and Education in order to help KIMEP students to achieve better results in courses and programs offered at KIMEP University. The Studio is located in 230/Dostyk building and is a place where students can find many materials to help them with their language learning and other studies as well as have some practice in communication with English, Kazakh and other language tutors and native speakers. It is open to all students, from those enrolled in Foundation English to Master’s and Doctoral level courses.

Clubs

Kazakh Club

The main goal of the Kazakh club is to help individuals overcome any fear or uncertainty about learning the Kazakh language. It aims to create an environment that fosters effective practice, enabling participants to confidently speak Kazakh. Throughout the project, members will not only improve their grammar skills but also engage in regular speaking exercises. The belief is that through active communication and continuous support, participants will strengthen their knowledge and be able to express themselves fluently in Kazakh.

Russian Club

The Russian Speaking Club at KIMEP University began its activities in October 2023. Its members include students from the UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Korea, the USA, and Norway, all of whom have come to Almaty to take intensive and regular Russian language courses. Throughout the academic year, club participants have explored and reviewed numerous grammatical and lexical topics. Weekly meetings provide opportunities for students to learn new material, participate in interactive games, and discuss current events in Russian, enhancing both their language skills and cultural understanding.

“Torap” sociolinguistics club

The club’s goal is to promote sociolinguistic knowledge and advocate for linguistic equality. During the meetings, participants will explore the deep connection between language, history, and society. The organizers hope that this knowledge will help attendees gain a better understanding of current sociolinguistic processes both in the country and globally, recognize the importance of protecting linguistic diversity, and appreciate the need to preserve and develop native languages.

Students’ Creative Projects

Student Research Poster Competition

The Student Research Poster Competition, launched in Fall 2017 as part of the Academic Reading and Writing II course, is held at the end of both the Fall and Spring semesters. The competition’s primary goal is to promote research among KIMEP University students, offering ARWII students a platform to present their research to a broader audience beyond their classmates.The event is meant to be a culmination and celebration of students’ semester-long intellectual effort.

Open to all students enrolled in the ARWII course, each CHSE instructor can recommend one student to participate. The event allows instructors and students from across the university to observe a wide range of research projects. Poster presentations are judged on-site by an ad hoc committee made up of KIMEP faculty members, who will select the top six presentations: one first-place, two second-place, and three third-place winners. Additionally, the audience can vote for their favorite poster, with the most popular receiving the Audience Choice Award. The top three projects receive prizes.

Fashion Design Art Competition

The Student Fashion Design Art competition aims to encourage student creativity, develop visual communication skills, and offer engaging extracurricular activities. The winning teams’ fashion exhibits will be displayed in the Dostyk and Valikhanov buildings next semester. Initiated by Dr. Bang, President of KIMEP University, and Dr. Brian Davis, Dean of the General Education Department, the first competition and exhibition took place in Fall 2023 and will be held every semester.

Students in the Introduction to Fashion Design course participate with their final projects. Jury voting is conducted online, assessing concept, visuals (mood board), and illustrations, each scored out of 10 points. The top three group projects receive cash prizes.

Expected dates of future competitions:

  • Fall semester: Thursday, December 5, 2024, 16:00-17:00.
  • Spring semester: Apr 24, 2025, Thursday, 16:00-17:00.
  • Venue: New Building, Hall 2.

Reels Competition

CHSE organized the “Why I Chose to Be…” Instagram Reels competition, which invited CHSE students to create 60-90 second vertical videos. The videos told personal stories about why students chose their majors, the skills they were developing for their future careers, and the benefits of being a CHSE student. The videos were voiced in English, Kazakh, or Russian, with mandatory English subtitles.

The competition ran from March 1st to March 26th, and the winners were announced on April 10th. Cash prizes were awarded to the top three participants: 100,000 KZT for first place, 70,000 KZT for second place, and 30,000 KZT for third place. The winning videos were also featured on the main @kimep_university Instagram page.

Translation Contest

On Monday, April 22, 2024, CHSE hosted Spring Inklings, a lively celebration of literature, translation, and the works of Anton Chekhov and William Shakespeare. The event began with Chekhov Forever: A Short Play on Themes from Chekhov, performed by KIMEP students, followed by an Open Poetry Mike in Honor of Shakespeare’s Birthday, where attendees recited poems in English, Russian, and Kazakh.

The highlight was the Verse Translation Contest, featuring 600,000 tenge in prizes across four categories: English-to-Russian, English-to-Kazakh, Kazakh-to-English, and Russian-to-English. The festival brought together students and faculty for an inspiring evening of literary celebration.

Academically Speaking Competition

The Academically Speaking competition is open to students enrolled in the Academic Speaking course. Each student undergoes a selection process to qualify as a final participant. An ad hoc committee judges the competition on-site. Participants deliver a persuasive speech addressing a problem and proposing a solution, accompanied by visual aids. The committee selects the top speeches, awarding a single first place, two second places, and three third places. Audience members also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite speech.