SARSEN AMANZHOLOV EAST KAZAKHSTAN UNIVERSITY – A TRAINING CENTER FOR SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELD OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION IN EAST KAZAKHSTAN

Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University carries out systematic and comprehensive work aimed at the development of inclusive education, support for children with special educational needs, and the training of qualified specialists in this field. In its activities, the university consistently implements state policy and the strategic initiatives of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, all aimed at the development of inclusive education.

At the initiative of the Rector of the University, Mukhtar Tolegen, the Center for Continuing and Inclusive Education “Dana bala” was established, integrating educational, research, and social activities. The Center carries out educational and methodological as well as research work, trains undergraduate and graduate students, works with children with special educational needs and their parents, and enhances the professional competencies of teachers in educational institutions.

In 2023, innovative educational programs in the field of inclusive and special education were launched at the university. At the undergraduate level, the programs “Ergopedagogy (IP)” and “Early Intervention Pedagogy (IP)” are being implemented, while at the master’s level the program “Special Pedagogy: Support for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (IP)” is offered. These programs were developed in line with modern labor market requirements and are aimed at training in-demand specialists in the field of inclusive education in the region.

Between 2023 and 2025, with the support of JSC “Science Fund,” a project on the commercialization of the Competence Center for psychological and pedagogical support and methodological and technological assistance for children with special educational needs was implemented at the university. Within the framework of the project, modern scientific and practical solutions in the field of inclusive education and special pedagogy were developed and introduced. Prototypes of specialized equipment were created and patented, including seating and bed verticalizers, adjustable educational furniture, and a professional speech therapist’s desk with software. As a result, 5 patents and 14 copyright certificates were obtained.

In 2023–2025, six student startup projects aimed at supporting children with special educational needs were developed and implemented in practice. These projects contributed to the development of applied solutions and enhanced students’ social responsibility.

The development of inclusive and special education is carried out in close cooperation with the Education Department of East Kazakhstan Region and its subordinate organizations. Among the university’s partners are the regional psychological, medical, and pedagogical consultation center, the regional scientific and methodological center, a boarding school, an autism center, city and district education departments, as well as the East Kazakhstan branch of the National Center for Advanced Training “Orleu.” Within the framework of cooperation, methodological support, professional development of teachers, organization of joint events, testing of author’s methodologies, and the introduction of innovative equipment in educational institutions are carried out.

Over the past three years, the “Dana bala” Center has conducted more than 30 educational events for teachers and parents, including workshops, training sessions, and practical seminars. In 2025, two regional workshops, three seminars for parents with international participation, a national case conference, and ten practical seminars for participants of the “Orleu” branch were organized. The university’s faculty members regularly act as speakers at events held by partner organizations.

In 2025, 1,300 teachers completed professional development training in the field of inclusive education at the university. Author’s methodologies developed by university staff for working with children with special educational needs are aimed at forming individual educational trajectories and are actively implemented in the practice of educational organizations in the region. Currently, the university implements six professional development programs in the field of inclusive and special education, four of which are approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Under the program “Development of Professional Competencies of a Teacher Assistant for Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs in a General Education School,” 185 teachers completed retraining in 2025.

Over the past three years, special education teachers and speech therapists of the “Dana bala” Center have provided corrective and developmental services to 108 children, including children with cochlear implants, autism spectrum disorders, musculoskeletal impairments, and delayed speech development.

In December 2025, the project “Armandar kerueni,” aimed at developing the creative potential of children with special educational needs, was launched at the university. Within the framework of the project, 210 schoolchildren aged 6 to 18 from East Kazakhstan Region participated in two creative competitions.

In 2026, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University will continue its systematic work on the development of inclusive education, the expansion of interagency cooperation, and the improvement of the quality of psychological and pedagogical support for children with special educational needs at the Center for Continuing and Inclusive Education “Dana bala.”