AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC MOBILITY: EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN MALAYSIA

Madina Toktarova, a fourth-year student of Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, is currently studying at Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) in Malaysia under the academic mobility program. Participation in the international educational program has given her an opportunity to become familiar with the features of a foreign higher education system, explore new approaches to learning, and gain valuable professional experience.

According to Madina, the educational process at the Malaysian university combines lectures, practical classes, group projects, and independent study. Students regularly prepare presentations, work on collaborative projects, and reinforce theoretical knowledge through practical assignments. At the same time, she continues to follow the educational program of her home university by completing the required coursework remotely.

Madina is particularly interested in courses related to geography teaching methodology and pedagogy. These disciplines help her gain a deeper understanding of her future profession, develop essential competencies, and learn how to apply theoretical knowledge effectively in teaching practice.

One of the distinctive features of studying at UPSI, according to Madina, is the strong practical orientation of the educational process. Each student is assigned an individual topic and is required to independently develop a lesson plan and conduct a full lesson lasting approximately 40 minutes. The lesson is then recorded on video and submitted to the instructor for assessment. This approach allows students not only to demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired but also to analyze their own performance, assess the effectiveness of the teaching techniques they selected, and identify areas for further professional improvement.

Comparing educational approaches in Kazakhstan and Malaysia, Madina notes that UPSI places considerable emphasis on student independence, teamwork, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. At the same time, modern educational technologies and interactive teaching methods are widely used in both countries. However, the organization of practical classes at the Malaysian university has provided her with a new experience and allowed her to view her future profession from a different perspective.

Another important aspect of academic mobility has been immersion in an international student environment. Studying in English, communicating with young people from different countries, and learning about other cultures contribute to the development of language and communication skills, broaden students’ horizons, and strengthen intercultural competence.

According to Madina Toktarova, participation in the academic mobility program has become an important stage in her professional development. The knowledge gained, new teaching practices, and experience of intercultural communication have enriched her educational journey, strengthened her professional skills, and opened new opportunities for further development.