Nur Otan Party builds nationwide infrastructure of political partnership ? B. Zhumagulov

ALMATY. May 7. KAZINFORM. This year the People?s Democratic Party Nur Otan marks its tenth anniversary. Rector of the Kazakh National al - Farabi University, academician Bakytzhan Zhumagulov has shared his view on the party?s role in the development of Kazakhstan?s society in the interview with a Kazinform correspondent. B. Zhumagulov is a prominent scientist, one of the most active representatives of Nur Otan Party and its Political Council.

In his annual address to the nation the Head of the State called on Nur Otan Party to become a consolidating power in unifying all constructive forces of the society. What do you think about it? The President announced Nur Otan Party as a consolidating power during the extended session of the Party?s Political Council back in January, 2007. Recently Nur Otan and six other political parties of the country ? Adilet, Auyl, Ak Zhol, Rukhaniyat, People?s Communist Party and Party of Patriots of Kazakhstan signed a memorandum of cooperation and consolidation of efforts to combat the affect of the world financial crisis upon the Kazakhstan?s economy. How do I see the party?s consolidating role? Firstly, it is connected with the creation of a dialog platform to work out measures on overcoming the crisis and discussing further development of the country in the post-crisis period. In this context I would like to emphasize the President?s initiative on development of the program of explanatory work ?Peace and accord ? our main priority?. Secondly, we must take effective measures to support people who suffer from the crisis most of all, i.e. the unemployed, deceived interest holders, pensioners, civil servants, studying youth and low-income citizens. Thirdly, we ought to strengthen work on combating corruption. Specially established councils under the regional affiliates of the Party and community liaison offices should consider all complaints concerning bribery as well as control over the local budget expenditure. Fourthly, Nur Otan Party should activate work on building national infrastructure of the political partnership. Finally, our must is remember the youth. It is a strategic future of our state. It is important to inspire our youth responsibility, patriotism, loyalty to duty, honesty. You are a member of the Club of Rectors of the Universities of the Eurasian states. The idea of Eurasian integration is embodied in the humanitarian sphere, particularly in education. What concrete measures in this direction is the Club discussing at present? The idea of Eurasianism itself has sprung up in the humanitarian sphere, in the depths of Russian philosophy, and it is not surprising that the Eurasian integration will take shape in the field of education. As long as it is exactly education which contributes to the development of social structure of any society. The Eurasian initiative of the Head of State was based on a deliberate evaluation of the competitive advantages it offers in various fields of socio-economic, cultural, educational and political life. Based on these considerations, the Kazakh National University initiated in 1998 the foundation of the Eurasian Association of Universities. In 2008, our university was first in the former Soviet Union to follow Western program in preparing PhDs. In addition, over the past three years more than 150 scientists from many scientific and educational centers of the world deliver lectures at our university. Can the University become one of the leading think tanks of the country, generating innovative ideas, design projects and proposals to address the pressing issues of the society ? Can it make an input in the strategic development of the country? No doubt, as long as our university has great intellectual potential. At the moment the CIS universities don?t address the challenges of global technological leadership in their countries. The KazNU is an intellectual-innovative corporation, consisting of two research institutes, scientific centers, Science and Technology Park, the National nanotechnology laboratory of an open type, and the University engineering laboratory. One example: the Research Institute of new chemical technologies and materials developed design documentation for 36 modular units for processing of hydrocarbon raw materials to increase the depth of processing of the raw materials in Kazakhstan up to 90-95% and to obtain the necessary goods for the industry: lubricants, solvents, the main product of organic synthesis, and others. We have promising projects in the field of space and information technologies, energy and energy conservation. Our University collaborates with over 400 higher educational institutions of the world, and we strive to transform this cooperation into the effective and mutually beneficial partnership. The mission of the University, outlined in its Strategy in light of the President?s instructions reads as follows: ?Formation of the corps of competitive professionals with modern elite education, focusing on addressing the critical areas of intensive development of economy, science and public life of the country. The graduates? employment is of great social importance in the crisis. Do you negotiate with future employers? This issue is one of the most important for all Universities of the country. The Head of our State pays special attention to it as well? It stands to reason that graduates? employment supposes their demand in the labor market. The University has a department that takes care of students? future career. Its main purpose is to assist in employment and professional development of graduates. Thus, a job fair was held in the University on April 24. Kazinform Note Bakhutzhan Zhumagulov graduated from the Kazakh State Kirov University. He is a mathematician, Doctor of Engineering, professor, academician, laureate of the State Award in the field of science, technology and education. He worked as First Vice Minister of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, chief of Internal Policy Department of the Kazakh Presidential Administration, chief of Social and Cultural Development Department under the Government of Kazakhstan (2001-2005). In April 2005 B. Zhumagulov was appointed Acting Chairman of the People?s Democratic Party Nur Otan. In June 2007 he became First Deputy Chairman of Nur Otan Party. On August 18, 2007 he was elected deputy of the Majilis of the Kazakh Parliament, leader of Nur Otan Party?s faction in the Majilis. Since May 2008 he is Rector of the Kazakh National University.