Defense of International Research Internship Reports by Master’s Students of the "7M03109 – Ethnopolitology" Educational Program

On April 6, 2026, the Department of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan (APK) at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University held a defense of international research internship reports. The reports were presented by second-year Master’s students of the "7M03109 – Ethnopolitology" educational program who completed their academic and research training at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" (Bulgaria).

The defense committee included the Head of the Department, Doctor of Political Sciences N.P. Kalashnikova, leading faculty members of the department, and representatives of the university’s scientific community.

The defense featured presentations by Master’s students Dinara Urstenova and Zhanna Gazizullina, who shared the results of their research conducted under the guidance of their international supervisor, Doctor of Political Sciences, Professor Tatiana Dronzina.

During the defense, key outcomes of the internship were presented, including:

• Results of research conducted within the library collections of Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and the collection of bibliographic materials.
• Outcomes of expert meetings with representatives of Bulgarian specialized agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (meeting with Vladimir Vanchev), where issues of diplomacy and youth policy were discussed.
• Experience in conducting lecture sessions for undergraduate students at Sofia University, aimed at enhancing pedagogical competencies.

Special emphasis was placed on the study of European methodologies for analyzing political processes and the theory of mediation. The students demonstrated the ability to apply international experience within the framework of their Master's theses.

During the session, the committee noted a high degree of involvement in the research process, profound analytical training, and successful approbation of research results in an international expert environment.

Following the results of the defense, the committee gave a positive assessment of the international internship outcomes, highlighting the high level of acquired competencies and the significance of the established professional contacts with Bulgarian colleagues for the further development of the department and educational programs.