International Relations in Kazakh Universities

Interview with Axamal Issaliyeva Ph.D. (pictured left), Doctor of Philosophy in Regional Studies, Deputy Dean Astana International University, School of Social and Humanitarian Sciences, Lecturer in International Relations. By Harry Stage, MECACS Blog Administrator Intern, 4th year International Relations and Russian student.

Axamal was formerly a lecturer in International Relations at the Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Harry studied Russian as a foreign language at Ablai Khan in summer 2019, where the two met and shared experiences of IR, security and Central Asian politics. This interview was conducted on Wednesday 20th of October 2021, continuing some of those themes.

What are the main International Relations theories taught to students in Kazakhstan?

The content of my course of IR theories consists of classic Realism, Neorealism, Liberalism, Neoliberalism, Constructivism, Feminism, Marxism, and Neomarxism. Since 2013, I have taught in three languages: Kazakh, Russian and English. This practice was started during my work at the L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana, now named Nur-Sultan.

Is Postcolonialism studied in Kazakhstan?

Postcolonial theories are a new topic for me. Under the postcolonial space are you considering Kazakhstan?

Yes. Are many Kazakh IR scholars being studied or is most of the dominant scholarship coming from outside of the country?

First, I’d like to say a few words about this term. It is correct to consider Kazakhstan as one of the post-Soviet countries, but not postcolonial. When we are composing our syllabus, we suggest that students undertake reading in Kazakh source coursework, Russian, European and American. We try to provide balance to increase the worldview of our students. They shouldn’t be focused only on Russian literature or only Kazakh, because this is the age of globalization. Their worldview must be increased on a global scale. That’s why we actively suggest to them American, European, and other foreign sources, including Russian authors.

Which regions are prioritised for teaching IR students?

Let me share my working experience in the field of Regional Studies at L. N. Gumilyouv ENU and Kazakh Ablai Khan University. There are two majors: International Relations and Regional Studies. With the Regional Studies programme, students study on several strategic educational trajectories, such as the Central Asia programme, the USA and Canada pathway, the Asia Pacific Ocean region, the West European region, or the Middle East trajectory.  These students are our future diplomats, the future specialists in IR. They specialise in learning the language, history, economics, socio-political systems, or culture of a chosen region. The foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan is based on a multi-vector approach, which means mutual and peaceful collaboration with countries of the world. In this sense, the regional studies programme has a very relative meaning for our foreign policy interests.

I wanted to come onto the multi-vector Kazakh foreign policy later. Is this still the long-term goal? Do you notice any challenges to this policy with Russian or Chinese relations in Central Asia?

Very good question. This is the third decade of our independence. During this period the Republic of Kazakhstan, thanks to its foreign policy, has achieved a huge number of advantages. Our government has demonstrated shining skills as an international mediator. And in this regard, the multivector foreign policy assists us to operate as a full actor of international relations. In the framework of being an official member of the UN, Kazakhstan initiated a huge number of ideas and the majority of them were implemented successfully, proving the special meaning and importance placed on the role of Kazakhstan in global policy.

Once I met with some American colleagues during my internship, and I was surprised because they said that Kazakhstan is a ‘sandwiched country’ due to our geographical location between superpowers Russia and China. A colleague in Britain said that our style of foreign policy, for a country as young as Kazakhstan, looks like we are sitting on two chairs- a very unstable position to be in. This is their perception due to our geographical location, but I would say that Kazakhstan is very comfortable in the last three decades sitting in an armchair, not across two chairs thanks to our multi-vector foreign policy. On the other hand, we have to recognize that being in such conditions, a landlocked country and closely located geographically to Afghanistan, Kazakhstan must balance the interests of many countries that are attracted by oil resources and transit potential. The multi-vector foreign policy assists us very well in this matter; we can collaborate mutually with the world.

About stepping into global politics: Kazakhstan was successful in the bid for 2017-18 UN Security Council membership which shows how the state’s ideas are appreciated on the global stage. Did Kazakh academics have a role to play in this bid? Is there much space for academics to engage with Government policy?

Yes, of course. For example, in the leading think tank Kazakhstan Institute of Strategic Studies, which was established under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, brilliant scientists contributed their efforts to develop our country and engaged with Government Policy. It is necessary to highlight the huge contribution of experts and researchers from the Institute of World Economics and Politics in strengthening Kazakhstan’s international cooperation development. In the framework of my courses as required reading, I recommend that students read the books and publications from these authors and institutions. Many specialist practitioners work between universities, think tanks and government agencies.

Back to the study of International Relations in Kazakhstan. What interactive activities do students partake in?

We practice in the format of brainstorming sessions, debates, even watching movies. We consider different case studies to develop their analytical skills, critical thinking and soft skills. For the last three years, I have been actively using Model UN as a teaching method. I try to combine hard skills and soft skills in the minds of students. I’m an academic, never having worked in the embassy or Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To fulfil that gap of soft skills, I invite guest lecturers to my classes, as it’s important to do workshops. This has been my practice for the last seven to eight years. I invite foreign diplomats, experts and scholars who are visiting Kazakhstan to come to our students, sharing their experience and research findings. Also, in the pre-pandemic period local Universities invited foreign scholars for one semester from the US, Europe, Asia, the Russian Federation and so on. From China we have many visiting scholars for our Oriental Studies, also from Iran and Arab countries mainly focusing on Oriental Studies or on teaching their language.

Could you define hard skills and soft skills?

Hard skills consist of professional knowledge, education, and the theories of International Relations. I always tell my students that theory for theory is nothing. We should know the theory to use it as a tool and understand the nature of international relations, right? Then we consider practical cases and use different methods of problem-solving. This is the combination of hard skills and soft skills. For example, when graduating from university students will be seeking a job. How will they represent themselves because the first question an employer will ask is: do you have experience? No employer cares only about his or her knowledge, the hard skill. They graduate, have a diploma, but what about the experience? Then students become panicked. They have no idea how to answer, so I advise my students: your soft skills will assist you. I always try to combine the necessary skills to increase the students’ ability to compete.

You touched on it there, what are the main options for undergraduate students after graduation? Do most go into Masters or are many jobs available in policy and think tanks after an undergraduate degree?

Most of our graduates continue their education in an MA in Kazakhstan and abroad. Others start their professional work as specialists of IR in Embassies, Consular Offices, International Organizations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and so on. Of course, we have a lesser number of graduates who decide to change their professional interests, but the majority still favour a professional career.

Is there a belief that obtaining education from another country, i.e., Russia or China, is of better quality, or do you believe Kazakh academia is at a similar level to surrounding countries?

Students are still going abroad to get an education. I cannot say that this is wrong or right, only a personal choice of each student, but I think if you have the chance, it will be very useful to gain a comparative experience. For example, I got my education in Kazakhstan, then had internship experience as a visiting scholar in different countries, including Japan and Central Asia. I give thanks for the conditions which were provided by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan to get such an opportunity. I must mention the “Bolashaq” program. This is an international scholarship that covers all expenses of Kazakh students who study abroad. The majority of scholarship programmes are provided by our government, offering the opportunity for students to get free education at home and abroad. A comparative experience increases the worldview of our students. As this is the globalization era, there are many chances to collaborate, to travel, to combine it with your professional duty, providing a wonderful opportunity to share knowledge globally.

Finally, how do you see Kazakhstan’s future in IR and global politics?

We have a huge number of perspectives and ambitions based on national interests, and I really hope that all of them will be fulfilled successfully. International Relations is the most unstable field, and it’s impossible to forecast even for the next three months. Yes, we have conceptualised the foreign policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2030, but who knows what will happen. The pandemic has affected so much, that’s why it’s impossible to forecast anything. But I strongly believe that thanks to the multi-vector foreign policy, Kazakhstan could gain a huge number of achievements and profits because we could demonstrate the hard work of our diplomats and government. Solutions to different international problems were found thanks to constructive dialogue, which was initiated by Kazakhstan. A huge number of international events took place in Astana, summits, negotiations, round tables, etc. All this work demonstrates Kazakhstan’s contribution to making our world more trustful, more peaceful and more sustainable.  Now Kazakhstan is recognised as an international mediator on the global stage. I think this is a big deal.