At ENU, within the framework of the Educational and Methodological Association of the Republican Educational and Methodological Council, issues of training social workers were discussed with an emphasis on practical experience and labor market demands

On April 24, 2026, an extended meeting of the Project Management Group of the Educational and Methodological Association under the Republican Educational and Methodological Council for the “Social Work” training field was held at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. The event, titled “Social Work at the Intersection of Education and Practice: A Space for Alignment Between Training, the Labor Market, and State Demand,” was dedicated to discussing the interaction between the education system and the social sector at a new level.

The meeting took place in the Ә. Margulan Hall of the “Otyrar” Library and brought together representatives of government bodies, the academic community, social sector professionals, and leading scholars from higher education institutions. The agenda focused on improving the quality of social worker training, aligning educational programs with real labor market demands, and ensuring their consistency with state policy.

The event was opened by A. Beisenbay, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs and Deputy Chair of the Educational and Methodological Association, who delivered a welcoming speech. In his remarks, he emphasized the growing importance of social work in modern society and highlighted that bridging the gap between education and practice remains one of today’s key challenges. He also noted that the ongoing modernization of educational programs at the university is aimed precisely at addressing this issue.

A series of substantive presentations followed. Meanwhile, M.D. Birimzhanova, Acting Director of the Department of Scientific Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, PhD, Associate Professor, outlined the current needs of the social protection system in terms of professional retraining and upskilling. Particular emphasis was placed on the necessity of adapting educational programs to the real demands of the labor market.

Regional experience was presented by A. Seitova, Director of the “Sharapat” Social Service Center, who highlighted the increasing demand for professional development among specialists providing social services. This, in turn, underscores the need to continuously update the content of educational programs.

The meeting also showcased the initial outcomes of professional development and retraining programs implemented at ENU. S. Birimzhanova, Head of the Certification Center of the Institute of Continuing Education, noted their effectiveness and strong demand within the professional community.

Issues related to improving the quality of educational programs in social work were addressed by A. Kuatova, who analyzed the needs of the target audience and presented recommendations for enhancing the curriculum. She emphasized that modern education should prioritize the development of practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge.

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants exchanged views and formulated a number of concrete recommendations aimed at improving the system of social work training. Key topics included ensuring alignment between education and the labor market, enhancing the professional competencies of social sector specialists, and developing effective models that respond to state demand.

The event became an important platform for strengthening collaboration between education, science, and the social sector. Such extended meetings held at the university contribute to fostering a culture of joint decision-making within the professional community and open new prospects for the development of social work.