ENU Ombudsman Presents New Approaches to Student Rights Protection

The development of effective mechanisms for protecting student rights, improving legal literacy, and introducing modern tools for engaging with youth were the key topics at the meeting of the School of Student Ombudsmen held at Astana International University.

The event was attended by Nelya Shapekova, the Ombudsman of The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU), who delivered a presentation titled "Digital Ethics and Mediation: New Tools of a Student Ombudsman in Protecting Youth Rights."

In her speech, the ENU representative emphasized the relevance of contemporary approaches to protecting the rights and legitimate interests of students. Special focus was placed on digital ethics, fostering a culture of constructive dialogue, and applying mediation as an effective tool for resolving disputes within the educational environment.

Meeting participants discussed current issues in student human rights advocacy, changes in the regulatory framework governing the rights and duties of learners, and mechanisms to raise legal awareness among young people.

The practical session of the meeting was dedicated to analyzing real-life situations that arise in the student community, ranging from dormitory accommodation issues to the resolution of academic disputes. Participants reviewed potential algorithms for student interaction with university administrations and ways to enhance feedback mechanisms.
Additionally, Zhamaladen Ibragimov, a professor from the ENU Department of Constitutional and Civil Law, addressed the audience. He spoke to the students about the legal aspects of the Address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Special attention during the meeting was paid to planning the future work of the School of Student Ombudsmen. Priority areas include conducting field visits, organizing interactive lectures and masterclasses for first-year students, fostering cooperation with student councils, and improving communication channels between students and university administrations.

"The School of Student Ombudsmen is not just a platform for discussing problems. It is a tangible tool that helps every student feel protected and heard. Our goal is to create an honest and open dialogue," the event organizers noted.

Following the meeting, the main directions for future human rights advocacy work were outlined, and a roadmap for the student council's activities for the current academic year was established.

The participation of ENU representatives in the School of Student Ombudsmen contributes to the exchange of professional experience, the development of legal culture among youth, and the improvement of student rights protection mechanisms.