New Competencies for the Future: KRU Approves Prospective Minor Programs

Baitursynuly University successfully held the defense of additional educational programs (Minors). They were developed by academic committees in close cooperation with representatives of business, industry, and education in the Kostanay Region.

The large-scale effort to analyze current trends and competencies using foresight research methods and to develop interdisciplinary programs took several months. Experts from various sectors were involved at different stages of development, making the programs highly competitive.

The working group evaluated 43 Minors, among which the following stood out:

• Minor “Lean Production”, developed by a stakeholder — Chief Specialist of the Higher Engineering School of Allur University, B.U. Yelibayeva. The program includes lean production principles, skills in identifying and eliminating waste, automation, process regulation, 3D modeling, and transportation equipment design.
• Minor “Industry 4.0 Technologies in Production: Welding, Painting, Assembly”, developed at the request of major industrial enterprises in the region (Kia Qazaqstan, Allur, KamLitKZ). The program covers modern methods and skills for working with equipment in machine-building processes, their role in quality assurance, and production automation.
• Minor “Administration and Legal Regulation in Taxation”, developed at the request of the Department of State Revenue of Kostanay. The program focuses on building professional competencies in tax administration, legal regulation of taxation, tax compliance, and auditing in the quasi-public sector.
• Minor “Green Economy, Organic Production and Climate Risks”, developed jointly with the Regional Department of Ecology and the Tobol-Torgai Basin Inspection for Water Resource Management and Protection. It includes practical skills in assessing environmental safety of products, analyzing climate risks, developing sustainable natural resource strategies, and applying green economy principles in the real sector.
• Minor “Humane Animal Treatment within the One Health Concept”, developed with participation from the Kostanay Regional Veterinary Office, the veterinary clinic “Dogma,” and the NGO “Nadezhda Plus kst.” The course is dedicated to responsible animal interaction practices considering the One Health concept, which links human, animal, and environmental health.
• Minor programs in the field of pedagogy cover a wide range of topics – from digital technologies to environmental education. These programs reflect modern trends in education, making learning more practice-oriented and responsive to current challenges. For example: “Digital Pedagogy and AI” – exploring digital tools in teaching ,“Environmental Education for Sustainable Resource Use” – a relevant topic in the context of global climate change, “Career Guidance Pedagogue” – training specialists to help students choose future professions, “Clinical and Pedagogical Foundations of Special Education” – covering diagnosis, correctional pedagogy, inclusive education, and adaptation techniques.

The catalog of additional educational programs will include 28 Minors. They will be available for selection by second-year students. Studying these programs will help students gain valuable professional competencies, significantly improving their career prospects and opening new opportunities.