Online session conducted by Almaty's anti-corruption unit for students on combating bribery and unlawful practices
Fighting Corruption, One Student at a Time: Almaty's Anti-Corruption Crusade
Life's core values - honesty, responsiveness, and hard work - are the backbone of Almaty's anti-corruption drive, as espoused by the city's anti-corruption service. Recently, they hosted a "Decency Hour" at the famed Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi, engaging students and faculty in discussions about the President's Message and the project office's achievements, according to Almaty.tv.
Dauren Tauymurat, the first deputy head of the city's anti-corruption agency, revealed that the project office has devised and integrated new specialized anti-corruption courses in educational programs. Additionally, methodological recommendations and anti-corruption training programs have been crafted for various target groups, including those within the education sector.
Medical students joined the conversation via online streaming, eager to hear about the agency's victories. Of note was the map of corruption risks and the establishment of an expert group dedicated to analyzing the activities of educational institutions. Moreover, project office staff regularly organize events such as "Clean Session" and "Be Honest" campaigns.
Dastan Turgunov, a fourth-year university student, praised his institution's anti-corruption efforts. He pointed out their practice of conducting anonymous surveys after each exam, aiming to assess teachers' performance and address any signs of corruption within the university.
Despite a lack of exclusive, University of Almaty-focused anti-corruption initiatives detailed in the Almaty.tv source, it's clear that local universities are making strides in combating corruption. Institutions like AlmaU, for instance, include "AlmaU against corruption" in their official policies[2]. These frameworks often encompass ethical training, transparency in admissions, and stringent procurement guidelines.
On a national scale, Kazakhstan's Anti-Corruption Service actively participates in asset recovery programs[5]. Since 2022, it has returned 1.12 trillion KZT ($2.1 billion) to the nation, funds that have been allocated to social infrastructure developments like 28 new schools for 22,000 children[5]. This infrastructural advancement could ultimately benefit university communities by enhancing pre-tertiary education quality.
A recent PhD thesis underscored the necessity for refined anti-corruption training programs in Kazakhstan, emphasizing the importance of practical skills over theoretical knowledge[1]. This shift aligns with calls for strengthening judicial independence and public procurement transparency[3].
In conclusion, Almaty's anti-corruption crusade extends to its universities, which are making noteworthy strides in fighting corruption through initiatives such as anonymous evaluations and specialized anti-corruption courses. As the nation continues its efforts in asset recovery and refining anti-corruption training, it's hoped that progress against corruption will be sustained throughout Kazakhstan's academic institutions.
- The anti-corruption project office in Almaty has enabled the integration of specialized anti-corruption courses into educational programs, aiming to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of corruption and personal growth.
- In Almaty's fight against corruption, students are encouraged to participate in discussions and engage with anti-corruption agencies, as demonstrated by the "Decency Hour" event held at the Kazakh National University.
- Institutional efforts to combat corruption extend beyond Almaty, as shown by the University of Almaty's inclusion of "AlmaU against corruption" in their official policies, focusing on ethical training, transparency, and stringent procurement guidelines.
- As Kazakhstan enhances its anti-corruption training programs and prioritizes practical skills over theoretical knowledge, the focus on personal growth and self-development through education will continue to play an essential role in the nation's battle against corruption.
