Report on the participation of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University in the 16th Kazakhstani international exhibition “Education and Career 2015”
April 9-11, 2015 in Almaty at «Atakent-Expo» was held an exhibition “Education and Career 2015”. The exhibition was organized with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Akimat of Almaty. The exhibition was attended by more than 150 universities from 15 countries, such as Kazakhstan, Israel, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, USA and Switzerland.
During the exhibition visitors had the opportunity to participate in information sessions, workshops, to get advice on all issues of interest from leading specialists in the field of education. During the three days of the exhibition National Testing Centre of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a free trial test on the UNT programme for the students of schools, high schools and colleges. The exhibition also presented a wide range of training aids, office supplies, technical training for the educational process. The exhibition contributed to the expansion of international cooperation in the field of education, informing young people about the variety of courses and forms of study in the country and abroad.
Asfendiyarov KazNMU also took an active part in the exhibition. Participation in the exhibition required preliminary work. The Department of Academic Affairs prepared information for the content of 12 stands. The stands contained the information on the curriculum, the university infrastructure, the clinical sites of KazNMU, and the student organizations.
Department of Strategic Planning, following the signing of the contract of exhibition space, was engaged in the layout of the content, adjustment of content, designing and approval of the final version of the stands. Prior to the opening of the exhibition, the Department laid out 12 stands and communication equipment. Also, the Department of Strategic Planning prepared advertising module, general information on the university and its infrastructure, which were posted and published in the official exhibition catalogue.
During the exhibition, interns of Asfendiyarov KazNMU held an action called «Measure your blood pressure» for the visitors. Deans of the faculties have conducted educational work among students; the university students have conducted a survey specially developed by the University Development Institute for the visitors; and the students have distributed leaflets designed by the Department of Academic Affairs on all courses of KazNMU. Also during the exhibition was playing video clips on the activities and achievements of KazNMU, the University anthem has attracted the majority of visitors.
For three days the exhibition was visited by about 8,000 people. The exhibition was visited by schoolchildren, students, parents, professionals in various fields who are interested in the various short-term courses, training courses, prospective MBA students and students of other programmes (training, etc.), teachers of higher educational institutions, colleges, schools, boarding schools, and other educational institutions, representatives of training companies, recruitment companies, employment services, publishers, travel agencies, managers and employees of libraries, etc.
The exhibition presented the following opportunities for the participants:
- To present the whole range of educational programmes and services
- Demonstrate and promote new services to market and training programmes
- Attract the students and visitors to developed training programmes
- Present oneself as a successful organization/institution
- Learn more about the students and their expectations
- Examine the educational market and competition in it
- Keeping up with innovations and new technologies
- Maintain its presence on the market
- Determine possible agents and partners
- To carry out the search for new staff
- Create the image of your organization
- Increase customer loyalty
- Update contacts with former customers
- Bring to market new products or services
- Accelerate the sales process
- Attract media interest
- Draw conclusions for the future
Results of the survey TAKEN BY THE visitors of the international exhibition «Education and Career 2015», April 9-11, 2015.
Target group: graduates of secondary schools, students of colleges, high schools, exhibitors, staff of other universities, parents.
Methods of collecting information: questionnaires on paper.
Results of the study:
The study involved 70 visitors of KazNMU exposition.
The age of respondents ranged from 13 to 21 years (61 people), from 33 to 49 years (4 people).
By place of residence: from Almaty — 60 people, from Taldykorgan (Almaty region) – 4 people, from Shymkent – 1 person.
The purpose of visiting the exhibition 70% of respondents identified as receiving information about the university. 52% of respondents indicated that they found out about our university by parents and friends, 32% of online advertising.
The KazNMU exposition was rated perfect by 77% of respondents, 15% of them rated it fair. Printed materials (brochures on courses) were estimated excellent by 72% of respondents, 15% of them rated it fair. 75% of respondents are completely satisfied with the information received on the medical education and conditions of study at the University. Most respondents indicated that they are interested in undergraduate programmes of the university. 64% of respondents want to study in Kazakhstan, and only 12% prefer to study abroad. As a result of the survey respondents in the future want to work as pharmacists and surgeons (7%), dentists and cardiologists (4%).
Most of them choose medicine as they dream since childhood and are recommended by their friends, or upon the request of their parents. The most attracting courses taught in KazNMU according to respondents are as follows: General Medicine (48%), Pharmacia (19%), Dentistry (17%), Public Health (5.7%), Preventive medicine (2.8%), Medicine (8,5%), Nursing (2,8%), Management (2,8%).
The greatest number of respondents chose the language of instruction as Kazakh and English. Many respondents speak, read and write in English fluently. 66% of respondents are aware of the KazNMU’s students’ academic mobility programmes between partner universities.
Prepared by the Department of Strategic Planning