Two Robert Gordon University (RGU) academics are returning to Kazakhstan – where they once taught – to host alumni events and talk to anyone who is thinking about studying in Aberdeen.
Dr Moira Bailey, senior lecturer and programme leader in the department of management and Anne Stevenson, Teaching Fellow and the Human Resource Management Group Lead at RGU’s Aberdeen Business School, are looking forward to returning to Kazakhstan.
Moira taught a Masters in Human Resource Management at Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) in 2005 and 2006 and Anne in 2007-2008.
Moira said: “I am delighted to be going back as I enjoyed my time there and the students were very willing and co-operative and made me very welcome.
“I hope we meet some of our alumni. It will be interesting to see how things have changed as when I was there previously Oil and Gas was fairly new and I immediately drew parallels to Aberdeen in the 70s which I am old enough to remember.”
Moira said she even enjoyed the cold last time she was there!
Anne added: “Moira and I both taught on the MSc HRM and I also delivered mentoring training to a local organisation in Astana in 2009.
“What struck me was how friendly and welcoming the people were. I was treated like an honoured guest and made to feel very welcome.
“Astana and Almaty are two totally different types of cities and I am looking forward to seeing more of Kazakhstan. If possible, I am going to fit in a visit to the Kazakh National Museum in Almaty – I have been there and would love Moira to see it too – it is fascinating.
“We will be in Almaty, Astana, Atyrau and Shymkent to talk to anyone who is thinking about studying in the UK.
“This trip gives us a super opportunity to see more of Kazakhstan and I am excited to be going back. We will be holding a couple of alumni events and we’re really hoping to catch up with as many people as possible whilst we’re there.”
They will be attending the All-Kazakhstan International Education Fair which takes place from January 31 to February 6. The alumni events will be held on January 31 at the Rixos Hotel, Almaty from 1pm to 7pm and on Tuesday February 2 at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Astana from 2pm to 8pm. Moira and Anne will also be at the Renaissance Hotel in Atyrae on Thursday February 4 from 3pm to 8pm and the Rixos Hotel in Shymkent from 2pm to 6pm on Saturday February 6.
RGU’s courses are in high demand from prospective Kazakhstan students because of strong links with the Oil and Gas Industry. Being located in Aberdeen, known as the Oil and Gas capital of Europe, RGU offers a number of energy related programmes.
The university has a wide suite of courses in various sectors and has worked closely with industry to provide them, such as programmes in business, management, accounting and public administration architecture, construction and surveying;; computing; engineering; health professions; information, communication and media; laboratory, biomedical and sports sciences and law, social work and social sciences.
Robert Gordon University has hosted a number of Bolashak students in the past as a Kazakhstan government approved institution for applications.
For more information, or to book a place online, please go to: https://www.rgu.ac.uk/events/visit-to-kazakhstan1