ENU discussed challenges and solutions of inclusive education at the university at

The Eurasian National University hosted the II International Scientific and Practical Conference "Inclusive Education in Higher Education institutions: Challenges and Solutions".

The event was attended by scientists, educators, psychologists, sociologists, specialists in the field of inclusive education from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Canada and students of Kazakhstani universities. 

The organizers of the conference are the Center for Inclusive Support and the Online Learning Department of The L.N. Gumilyov ENU.  

During her speech, Vice-Rector for Social and Cultural Development of The L.N. Gumilyov ENU Lyazzat Tolegenkyzy noted:

"This year, the university has already played a role in the development of an inclusive environment and society. This is the so-called third mission of the university, in which The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University is actively involved.

We are becoming a model platform for training specialists within the framework of the implementation of the Social Code and professional standards for social workers, specialists providing special social services," Vice-Rector said.

Maria Simonova, Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Comparative Educational Policy, Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, spoke about the theoretical foundations and methodology of inclusive education.

"The methodology of inclusive education should certainly include a system of principles, methods, and approaches aimed at creating equal educational opportunities for all students, including those with special educational needs.

Now our work is based on the principle of social inclusion. From here, key methods and approaches are built. The main principle is that everyone is important and everyone has the right to education," Maria Simonova emphasized.

Aknur Mazhitova, Head of The L.N. Gumilyov ENU Center for Inclusive Support, noted:

"Every year you observe an increasing trend of people with disabilities in our republic. As our birth rate increases, as no one is immune from accidents, the number of people with disabilities will never decrease, unfortunately. The trend of inclusive education is something that we must always be ready for," the speaker added.

Nazerke Beisenova, head of the Psychological Support Center, spoke about psychological support as a factor in the formation of an inclusive space within the walls of the Eurasian National University.

Robert Williamson, Associate Professor of the Department of Inclusive Education at Simon Fraser University (Canada), devoted his report to the topic of modeling for the development of an international inclusive education strategy.

The conference also discussed pedagogical approaches to organizing leisure activities for students with special educational needs, improving the psychological skills of teaching staff in improving inclusive education at universities, game therapy and digital tools, and other issues.

Within the framework of the event, master classes "Music therapy" and "Practice of Providing Situational Assistance to Persons with Disabilities" were organized.