Knowledge is long-term investment
From 1999 till 2003 Gaukhar was on the air of the Kazakh Radio with news releases and auteur programs "Partnership for prosperity" and "Art of diplomacy", where ambassadors of different countries and representatives of international organizations were invited. Those programs were highly appraised in the international competitions. She became laureate of the Baizhanbayev Award of Kazakhstan Union of Journalists in 2001 and laureate of the Youth Information Forum "The Ring of Eurasia" in 2002.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Almaty. In 1995 I graduated with distinction from the Kazakh school no.12. In 1988 I was selected to take part in the first ever Kazakh-American Music Festival "Peace Child" celebrating peace and peoples' friendship all over the world. Despite the political prejudice during the cold war of that time, American and Kazakh students and stage directors easily found common ground and jointly managed to create an unforgettable performance. Participation in such a grand event had strong emotional impact on my outlook development. In 1995 I entered the Al Farabi Kazakh State University, the Department of International Relations.
Perhaps my journalistic roots (my great-grandfather Mukhamedzhan Seralin was a poet, journalist and editor, founded the first Kazakh magazine "Aikap") predestined the next period in my life. After I had passed the selection process I started working for Kazakh Radio in 1998. My programs "Partnership for prosperity" and "Art of diplomacy" with participation of foreign diplomats were appreciated by the Kazakhstan Union of Journalists and highly estimated in various international competitions.
During the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's official visit to Kazakhstan I was invited to work at the press center of the UN Development Program (Astana, 2002). At the invitation of the US State Department I took part in the program "US Mass Media and Political Campaigns" for 19 representatives of foreign states; participated in the meetings with former US President Bill Clinton, ex-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
In 2003-2005 I worked in the Interparliamentary Relations and Protocol Department of the Senate Administration of the Kazakhstan's Parliament. Being a member of the parliamentary delegation I took part in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly sessions; accompanied Senate Speaker during his visits to China, Russia and Belgium; was sent to Britain and France for experience exchange.
Later I worked as a project manager in the National Analytical Center under the Government and National Bank of Kazakhstan.
Since December 2008 I have been working in the National Information Holding "Arna Media".
Could you tell about the years of studying abroad? What would you like to introduce in our country now possessing invaluable experience that you gained abroad? Do you think that western education differs from ours?
In 2004 together with 17 other Kazakh fellows I was awarded the scholarship of the Bolashak Presidential Scholarship to study in the United States. In May 2007 I received Master's Degree in International Development Policy Program, Duke University.
I believe that education is a long-term investment since knowledge as a non-rival good remains with us for the whole life, help generate new ideas, principles and views at any period of professional development. Knowledge obtained at one of the best US universities help me in my everyday work.
I was impressed by the professor-student relationship. They position themselves as colleagues, share ideas and dispute without any barriers. I wish students at our universities could feel the same comfortable atmosphere of cooperation with faculty, and had good studying infrastructure as well. Duke campus infrastructure meets all students' requirements (libraries, computer labs, transportation, meal, etc). Teaching methodology also differs. Professors update their curricula in accordance with the latest political and economic changes in the world. During the classroom meetings students are engaged in role plays, analyze interests of each party, elaborate the most feasible solutions for each party, settle potential conflicts between the stakeholders. Some Kazakhstan's educational institutions practice such methodology, but it would have been great if it became an integral part of the domestic education. This invaluable experience deepened my knowledge, developed my communication skills for constructive debates.
What's your attitude towards the opinion that a part of "Bolashak" graduates having certificates of top foreign higher educational institutions unwillingly go to civil service and, moreover, recognize themselves as more privileged part of the society?
Yes, I come across this opinion more frequently lately. A note should be made here. Referring to the graduates with bachelor degrees I am uncertain why the civil service is not attractive for them. I am sure they should gain practical experience and exercise their knowledge in the real life situations. Talking about those who earned master's degrees it is obvious that experienced graduates consider employment with different joint-stock companies under the Government, Ministries and other state bodies due to competitive salaries offered. To work and live in the capital city requires higher income than the salary within the civil service. Besides this, the problem of shortage of affordable housing exists. It is necessary to elaborate a social program on housing provision for Bolashak graduates-civil servants. Consequently, the number of Bolashak alumni within the civil service will certainly increase.
Was your patriotic feeling under a test abroad where our graduates are offered good job? What do you think our future civil servants should be taught in order to establish an effective state machinery?
I studied abroad when love to the homeland, family and friends, national values, traditions had been already formed. Moreover, I would say that my sense of patriotism even strengthened away from home. During the first year of studies at Duke University we organized the Kazakh Culture Days and invited our professors, fellow students, and friends. We made a short Power Point presentation for our guests, organized a concert program and Kazakh national food to taste. Some of them never heard about Kazakhstan, and were amazed by the rich culture and traditions of our country. In these terms I am concerned about those who are sent to study for their bachelor degree. I think it is more valuable for the country to send students for PhD programs.
I believe that every Bolashak graduate must be an optimist. Of course, upon the arrival from a country with the developed economy we see the problems that need to be developed further. We should change our consumer attitude, and find ways for personal fulfillment, contributing to the development of our country. Our main task is to meet the expectations of our country.
We must admit that the state apparatus serves people. Thus its main task is to be customer-oriented apparatus. Each state body must me fully transparent for the society, inform on the activities accomplished and to be made. To that end, civil society should take part in decision-making process.