AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATIONAL COMPANY UNOWA

The Rector of Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, Mukhtar Tolegen, and the Director of the international educational company UNOWA (Poland), Mikhail Kalitkin, signed a strategic memorandum of cooperation. The document is aimed at developing joint initiatives in the field of child development diagnostics and the promotion of inclusive education.

The key goal of the partnership is the implementation of the innovative MIKKO child development assessment system (“6 Areas of Development”), conducting a pilot study, and adapting the tool to the Kazakhstani context.

The “6 Areas of Development” system is a comprehensive diagnostic tool covering six key areas of a child’s development: cognitive, speech and language, social, sensory, daily living, and physical.

The tool allows for the creation of a holistic profile of a child’s development based on standardized tasks and clear assessment criteria. It is designed for use in preschools, schools, psycho-pedagogical correctional commissions (PPCC), and centers for psychological and pedagogical support.

A distinctive feature of the project is that the “6 Areas of Development” is the first comprehensive system in the world to cover six areas and undergo a full cycle of standardization and validation specifically in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Thus, Kazakhstan becomes a platform where a scientifically validated tool is created, aiming to achieve the status of an international standard in early diagnostics and inclusive education.

The implementation of the project, according to the parties, will contribute to the development of the national inclusive education system; early identification of children with special educational needs; formation of a unified professional language for assessing development; and strengthening the scientific and human resource potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Students of the educational programs “Defectology” and “Early Support Pedagogy” are already actively involved in the practical implementation of the project, including working with children at the “Sauletay” kindergarten.

The memorandum was concluded for a period of 12 months with the possibility of extension. The signing of the agreement marked a significant step in the development of inclusive education in Kazakhstan and the integration of advanced international practices into the national system.