On March 4, 2025, our GSE Professors and CARCEIT postdoctoral research fellows were speakers at the scientific and methodological seminar titled “Methodological Perspectives on the Study of Child and Youth Well-Being in Kazakhstan: Historical Trends and Current Research.” This event, organized by Astana IT University’s Department of General Education Disciplines, brought together experts, policy makers and scholars from NUGSE, CARCEIT, UNICEF, and Astana IT University to discuss key challenges and solutions in improving the well-being of children and students in Kazakhstan. The session was moderated by Associate Professor Jampeissova Zhanar.
Professor Daniel Hernández-Torrano and Dr. Laura Ibrayeva shared findings on mental health challenges faced by university students, highlighting the importance of support services, coping strategies, and institutional interventions to ensure student well-being.
Dr. Zhadyra Makhmetova shared the findings of the recent studies on the well-being in Kazakhstani schools during the emergency times published together with Professor Naureen Durrani and also the recent study by Associate Professor Janet Helmer focusing on Kazakhstani parents’ well-being. All these studies highlight the role of gender in well-being and school autonomy, and also the need for professional development in crisis management, self-care coping strategies, and as well as family support during the emergency times.
These and other speakers' presentations on Kazakhstan’s Child Well-Being Index by Dr. Arystan Satanov (Astana IT University) and on Comprehensive Assessment of Child Well-being in Kazakhstan by UNICEF Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Rausan Ibrasheva provided a broad overview of well-being in Kazakhstan.
The seminar concluded with closing remarks from the moderator of the seminar, reinforcing the need for ongoing interdisciplinary research and practical initiatives.
Participants left with a renewed commitment to fostering a healthier, more supportive, and research-informed educational environment for children and youth in Kazakhstan.