On November 28, Astana
International University President S.A. Irsaliev participated in a presentation
of the Social Hub to the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
Astana International University
is the first and only university in the CIS and Central Asia to offer master's
degrees in social entrepreneurship. We are proud to be developing one of the
most significant areas of our time, where business meets social responsibility.
Today, social entrepreneurs play a vital role in the development of society –
they create innovative solutions to social problems, making a real contribution
to the economy. According to international studies, approximately 2% of global
GDP is generated by the activities of social entrepreneurs, and their social
impact cannot be overstated.
Our university is fostering an
entire ecosystem of social innovation. Over the past four years, the Ministry
of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan has
successfully implemented the "Oreli Urpaq" Social Entrepreneurship
School project, training over 800 social entrepreneurs and NGO representatives.
One grant-funded research project
on social entrepreneurship has been implemented, and work is ongoing on a
second one. It focuses on the scientific foundations of employment for
individuals with disabilities.
An exclusive zone has been
created at the Social Innovation Hub for Astana International University as a
strategic partner in education.
Emin Askerov, our Master's degree
graduate, is successfully implementing social initiatives, inspiring a new
generation of leaders.
The meeting between the President
of Astana International University, S.A. Irsaliev, founder of the Social
Innovation Hub, and Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of
the Republic of Kazakhstan, once again confirmed the importance and potential
of this area.
We are confident that training
specialists in social entrepreneurship is an investment in a sustainable
future. The Master's program in Social Entrepreneurship develops a new type of
leader who is able to create social value, benefiting society and the development
of the country.