On May 15, 2024, the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University successfully hosted the International Forum on “Graduates’ Professional Development and Employability: Current Labor Market Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities.” The event took place at the university’s premises in Astana, Kazakhstan, gathering distinguished guests, industry experts, and academic leaders to discuss crucial topics surrounding the transition of graduates into the workforce.
The forum, organized as part of the international TRIGGER project under the Erasmus+ program, was inaugurated by Yerlan Sydykov, Chairman of the Board-Rector of L.N. Gumilyov ENU. The opening remarks were further enriched by Sayasat Nurbek, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who emphasized the importance of innovative approaches in enhancing graduate employability.
Highlights of the day included:
A plenary session that addressed the main challenges and obstacles faced by graduates in securing employment, moderated by Yerlan Sydykov.
Insightful panel discussions such as the assessment of the impact of European projects on the development of universities in Central Asia, featuring Armiyash Nurmagambetova.
Various parallel tracks discussed adapting educational programs to labor market needs, enhancing university-business networks, and strategies for professional development and career growth.
The forum facilitated dynamic exchanges and networking among participants, fostering discussions that pinpointed actionable strategies for improving graduate outcomes in the job market. The day concluded with a series of recommendations aimed at policy-makers and educational institutions to better align educational outputs with labor market demands.
