The international event began on 29 October and included several important initiatives aimed at fostering cooperation between foreign and Kazakhstani universities, as well as showcasing the outcomes of international collaboration in higher education.

On 30 October, Coventry University Kazakhstan and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University held panel sessions, one of which was dedicated to the role of artificial intelligence in transforming educational models and approaches to student learning. Another session, “From Science to Market: Technology Transfer”, provided an opportunity for university and research institute leaders to share their experience in commercializing scientific ideas and implementing them in practice.

An AI-Sana Ceremony was also held to promote the development of digital competencies and the integration of artificial intelligence technologies into the education system. The event brought together representatives of Kazakhstani and foreign universities, accreditation agencies, and the expert and academic communities of higher education. The Forum was initiated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

For the accreditation centre, having a deep understanding of the challenges, achievements, and prospects in higher and postgraduate education and international cooperation is essential for improving approaches to quality assurance and implementing modern accreditation tools that are adapted to national economic needs and meet society’s expectations.

The Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health Care (ECAQA) participated in the General Assembly of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), which took place on 22–24 October 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, and was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of ENQA. ECAQA has been a full member of ENQA since 2022 and has implemented best international practices in the field of education quality assurance, accreditation, and internal quality assurance of ECAQA activities.

A member of ECAQA Accreditation Council, Professor Lyazzat Yeraliyeva, was among more than 160 delegates attending the event. The programme of the General Assembly addressed key topics related to the ESG as reliable European reference points for quality assurance in a global context, as well as the value of interregional dialogue and current experiences. Participants discussed the role of quality assurance in supporting the implementation of the EHEA commitments, both from policy and practical perspectives, and received updates on the ongoing revision of the ESG.

Speakers shared their experiences on the engagement of stakeholders in external quality assurance and reflected on the role of ENQA in building a community of agencies that exchange best practices, foster innovation, and strengthen cooperation.

The ENQA General Assembly, chaired by ENQA President Douglas Blackstock, was organised and hosted in close collaboration with the Flemish Higher Education Council and Quality Assurance (VLUHR QA) and the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education of Belgium (AEQES). The ENQA presidential re-election procedure has been completed. The newly Elected ENQA President is Cristina Ghițulică (ARACIS, Romania).

Roundtable on Training Experts in the Accreditation of Continuing and Informal Education (Continuing Professional Development) as part of the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Prospects for the Development of Nursing Education and Practice”, April 4, 2025

On April 4, 2025, the Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health Care (ECAQA) held a training seminar titled “Issues in the Accreditation of Continuing and Informal Education”.

The aim of the seminar was to define and clarify the role of experts in the accreditation of continuing and informal education, including representatives from the academic community of higher medical colleges, students, and practicing healthcare professionals.

During the seminar, participants discussed the goals and objectives of institutional accreditation, the main processes of educational assessment, and the methods used by experts to gather evidence of compliance with the institutional accreditation standards developed by ECAQA based on the International Standards for Improving the Quality of Continuing Professional Development of Health Professionals by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME).

The seminar, focused on the training and capacity building of accreditation experts, brought together leaders and staff from 19 higher medical colleges of Kazakhstan, representatives of the Union of Medical Colleges of Kazakhstan, practicing healthcare professionals, and students.

All participants were awarded certificates.

This event was held within the framework of implementing the activities outlined in ECAQA Strategic Development Plan for 2023–2025, specifically aimed at strengthening the competencies of experts in the accreditation of medical, pharmaceutical, and nursing education.

As part of the Year of Professional Development for Healthcare Specialists, an International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “Prospects for the Development of Nursing Education and Practice” was held on April 4–5, 2025. The event was organized by the Higher Medical College of the Almaty City Health Department and the National Hospital of the Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health Care (ECAQA) acted as a partner of the conference. Director General of ECAQA, Sarsenbayeva S.S., delivered a presentation titled “Recognition of Continuing Education for Healthcare Professionals through the Institutional Accreditation Process: Principles and Approaches”.

Within the framework of the international event, the Eurasian Centre for Accreditation held a roundtable discussion on the topic “Accreditation of Continuing and Informal Education: Current Issues”, which was attended by staff from higher medical colleges and medical organisations of Kazakhstan, including practicing healthcare professionals. The aim of the roundtable was to enhance the qualifications of experts in the accreditation of continuing and informal education, including representatives from the practical healthcare sector.