Inclusive Pedagogy Seminar Held at the Department of Foreign Languages of Satbayev University in Collaboration with Professors from the University of Sussex

On 21 October 2025, the Department of Foreign Languages at Satbayev University welcomed Professor Simon Thompson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for International Affairs, and Associate Professor Keith Perera, Head of the Education Department, from the University of Sussex, United Kingdom.
Professor Simon Thompson is a distinguished expert with over 25 years’ experience in the UK education sector and a recipient of the prestigious National Teaching Fellowship. He has delivered teacher training programmes in China, Japan, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Cambodia, and throughout Central Asia.

Keith Perera is an expert in school leadership and teacher development, with many years of experience within the UK’s education system. He currently serves as Director of the Inspire Teaching School Alliance and has led several national projects in partnership with the UK Department for Education. For his leadership in education, he has been awarded the title of Specialist Leader of Education.

This visit represents an important element of the Department’s strategic objectives to strengthen international cooperation and advance pedagogical excellence.

The delegation, led by Head of Department A.O. Turlybekova and Associate Professor B.E. Bukabayeva, visited the University’s International Cooperation Office. The department gave the guests a warm welcome and introduced them to Satbayev University’s global partnerships, international programmes and academic mobility initiatives.

Additionally, the guests toured the University museum to explore the life and scientific legacy of Kanysh Imantayuly Satbayev, the first President of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR and a foundational figure in geological science in Central Asia.

As part of the visit, a high-level interactive seminar was conducted for the faculty members of the Department of Foreign Languages under the theme:

“Does differentiation mean different? How can we adapt our teaching to encourage stretch, challenge and support for all our learners?”

During the seminar, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on strategies to refine teaching practice, develop inclusive education and adapt to modern educational demands while considering learner diversity. Department faculty actively participated, sharing their insights and proposals.

The visit of the delegation from the University of Sussex was successfully organized with the active support of Associate Professor of the Department of Foreign Languages, Gulnazira Zhalilovna Nurbekova. From September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, Dr. Nurbekova undertook a scientific internship at the University of Sussex under the prestigious international "Bolashak" program ("500 Scholars").