Jean Monnet

On November 4, 2024, the conference “Embracing Digital Learning and Communication Innovations in Kazakhstan and Europe” was held. The conference was conducted within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module “Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspectives”. The AITU MA program students and the faculty of the Department of General Education Disciplines participated in the event. The conference addressed issues related to the digital transformation of higher education in Kazakhstan and the European Union. Participants exchanged experiences and practical recommendations for using digital tools to enhance educational quality, strengthen student-teacher interaction, and foster an inclusive learning environment.

On June 20, 2024, the coordinator of the ‘DigCEE’ Jean Monnet Module, E.F. Gerfanova, held an informational meeting with second-year students at Astana IT University. E.F. Gerfanova informed the students about the opportunities provided by the Erasmus program. Participation in this program offers access to international experience, internships, and exchange programs with leading European universities. Special attention was given to the Jean Monnet Module implemented at Astana IT University. E.F. Gerfanova provided detailed information about the content and goals of the module, highlighting that participation offers students a unique opportunity to learn about European approaches to IT sector development. The meeting took place in a productive atmosphere, students actively asked questions and shared ideas.

A review of Erasmus+ Programme Funded Projects was presented by Dr. Zhibek Tleshova

A scientific and methodological seminar titled “Digital (Transformation) in (Higher Education Institutions): A Review of ERASMUS+ Programme Funded Projects” was held at the Department of General Education Disciplines (DGED) of Astana IT University on April 19, 2024. The seminar was presented by Dr. Zhibek Tleshova, Associate Professor and Director of DGED. Dr. Tleshova introduced the participants to the Erasmus+ platform, as well as the main parameters for applying for grants under EU programmes. The participants actively discussed key aspects of projects funded by the ERASMUS+ programme in the context of digital transformation of higher education.

On December 22, 2023, Elmira Gerfanova, the coordinator of the Jean Monnet Module “Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective,” participated in the Erasmus Information Day held at Abay Kazakh National Pedagogical University in Almaty. This event served as a platform for the presentation of coordinators and partners involved in projects aimed at enhancing the potential of higher education and those affiliated with Jean Monnet initiatives. Elmira Gerfanova presented a report on the progress of the Jean Monnet Module implemented at Astana IT University. The report covered the module’s goals, objectives, the executed and planned activities. The report also provided recommendations on Jean Monnet grant application and its further implementation for fellow participants, contributing to the exchange of knowledge and best practices. The collaborative nature of the event fostered a dynamic environment for learning and networking within the Erasmus community.

As part of the implementation of the Jean Monnet module “Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective” (DigCEE), the project coordinators, Zh. K. Tleshova, Director of the Department of General Educational Disciplines, and E. F. Gerfanova, Assistant Professor of the Department of General Educational Disciplines, conducted a seminar for MA program students of educational programs at Astana IT University on November 6, 2023. The seminar addressed issues related to the digitization of education and the development of digital culture in the European Union and Kazakhstan. A comparative analysis of key policy documents from both regions concerning the integration of digital technologies in education was presented.

As part of the implementation of the Jean Monnet Module “Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective” – DigCEE) ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH, the project coordinator, Director of the Department of General Education Disciplines, Zh.K. Tleshova, presented a research paper at the International Scientific Symposium “Current Trends in Language Education and Teaching”.

The symposium was held at Nazarbayev University on October 17, 2023.

The paper’s title was “Digital Transformation of Education in the European Union and Kazakhstan: Policies and Prognosis”.

The presentation focused on a comparative analysis of policy documents related to the digitalization of education in both Kazakhstan and the European Union, while also providing insights into its future perspectives in both regions.

https://www.iatkl.kz/_files/ugd/b138d7_3c65f99d67174b7db1bd715301843b6b.pdf

As part of the Jean Monnet Module, DigCEE ERASMUS-JEAN MONNET MODULE-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH, a roundtable discussion took place at Astana IT University on Friday, June, 2, 2023. The roundtable was attended by the University department directors and the teaching staff.

The participants discussed the Module and the ways it could be implemented within the educational programs’ of AITU. The Module aims at equipping students with knowledge about cultural and communication practices that have resulted from the multi-faceted technological development. It will introduce students to how digital culture is developed in Europe, what actions European policy-makers take to promote it.

The Module will cover these topics:

1) The concept of Digital Culture in EU studies;

2) Digital Europe: Overview of EU actions;

3) EU policy on digital skills and education;

4) Digital Intercultural Communication. This Module was delivered to the 1st year Bachelor degree students at AITU and ran from June, 6 to June 9, 2023.

A roundtable on Module «Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective (DigCEE)»

On December, 15, 2022, a roundtable within the framework of Jean Monnet Module was organized at AITU. The roundtable was attended by the University administration, the teaching staff, and EU expert, Professor Carsten Wolff from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany.

Zhibek Tleshova and Elmira Gerfanova, the members of the research project – DigCEE ERASMUS-JEAN MONNET MODULE-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH, discussed the Module themes and content with the participants. The participants discussed the theoretical and practical foundations for the development of digital culture in higher education from the point of view of European Union policy. Professor Wolff gave some suggestions regarding the Module topics and what should be included into the content of the Module. The results of the discussion were reflected in the content of the Module «Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective (DigCEE)» for students.

On Friday, November 18, 2022, as part of the start of the implementation of the Jean Monnet Module (JMM), Astana IT University hosted a presentation on the project “Development of Digital Culture in Higher Education: The European Experience” (DigCEE), a project created via the successful proposal for an Erasmus grant by Astana IT University (ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH). The project coordinators for the JMM are Zh.K.Tleshova, Director of the Department of General Educational Disciplines and E.F.Gerfanova, Assistant Professor of the Department of General Educational Disciplines. At the meeting, the objectives, course organization, and expected results of the project were presented and discussed.

The JMM (DigCEE) is a part of the Erasmus study programs that promote excellence in teaching. Students in the AITU undergraduate educational programs “Media Technologies”, “Digital Journalism”, “IT Management”, “IT Entrepreneurship”, “Software Engineering” and “Cyber Security” will be able to participate in this module. The JMM (DigCEE) will offer students perspectives on how modern information technologies and digitalization of learning have informed contemporary European higher education, including a consideration of the broader impact of these technologies on society in general. It is hoped that this case study will allow students to consider the potentials of these developments for future application in the educational systems of Kazakhstan.

Project name: Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective (DigCEE)

Program name: ERASMUS-JEAN MONNET MODULE-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH

Granting authority: European Education and Culture Executive Agency

Project Summary: The aim of the proposed module is to promote theoretical understanding of how culture is developing within the EU digital domain of education by bringing forward relevant theories, approaches and policy documents.
The Module “Digital Culture in Higher Education: European Perspective” includes the next main activities: teaching (lectures and practical classes), deliverables, events (roundtable discussions, seminars, workshops, a summer school, a conference). The teaching course will cover Bachelor students enrolled for the following educational programs at AITU “Media Technologies”, “Digital Journalism”, “IT Management”. “IT Entrepreneurship”, “Soft Engineering” and “Cyber Security”.
The primary outcomes are the students’ knowledge, skills and competences. The Module will provide students with the ability to use technology creatively and analyze the effects of technological change on cultural relations. After the completion of the course students are expected to have in-depth knowledge of EU policy in digital transformation, understanding the impact of technology and the ways in which digital technologies can be used to improve society, as well as an ability to analytically apply such theories to empirical cases.
The proposed module will enhance interest in EU affairs, encourage and promote diversification of EU studies on local and national levels. Furthermore, all developed study materials after the project implementation can be used as a basis for forming the European trajectory within any educational program, as the issues under study are essential for the current context.

Period of Implementation: 36 months
Start date: October 1, 2022 End Date: October 1, 2025

Work packages:
WP 1. Preparation, Project management and Coordination
WP 2. Implementation, Dissemination and Communication

Project Team:
Zhibek Tleshova – PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, Director of the Department of General Educational Disciplines, Astana IT University
Elmira Gerfanova – PhD in Foreign Language Education, Assistant Professor at the Department of General Educational Disciplines, Astana IT University