30th Anniversary of KAFU: Roundtable on “Pioneering Pathways: Navigating Trends and Challenges in Higher Education”

On September 26, 2024, the Kazakh-American Free University hosted a Roundtable on “Pioneering Pathways: Navigating Trends and Challenges in Higher Education”. The event was timed to coincide with the celebration of the university’s 30th anniversary and brought together more than 20 foreign faculty members from America and Europe who shared their experiences and visions for the future of education.

Panel 1: Navigating the Future of Higher Education: Trends and Challenges

The first panel was moderated by Yulia Novitskaya, Head of the Department of Foreign Languages, KAFU. The focus was on global changes in higher education and the challenges facing universities around the world. The panel included:

• Steve Parscale, Director of Accreditation, Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), Overland Park, Kansas, USA, who discussed the role of international accreditation and the impact of digitalization on educational standards.

• Ola Lundemo, Professor of Tourism, University of Arizona, spoke about the impact of globalization and sustainable development on educational programs in the field of tourism.

• Thomas Schmitz, Professor of Law, German Academic Exchange Service, highlighted the legal challenges associated with data protection and intellectual property.

• Bernd Zirkler, Professor of Accounting and Controlling, West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, discussed the importance of effective financial management in educational institutions.

The discussion was concluded by Kai Nobach, Professor of Management Accounting and Controlling, Georg Simon Ohm Institute of Technology, Nuremberg, who highlighted the key challenges and possible solutions for the successful development of higher education.

Panel 2: Visionary Leadership: Transforming the Future of Higher Education

The second panel, moderated by Daniel Ballust, Vice President for International Programs, KAFU, focused on what leadership in universities should look like to successfully adapt to new conditions. Speakers:

• Shane Burgess, Dean of the College of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona, emphasized the importance of innovation and leadership in transforming universities.

• Stefan Kassel, Rector of the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, spoke about the importance of academic autonomy and flexibility in university governance.

• Mark Hanshaw, General Counsel and Vice Chancellor of the University of Cumberlands, discussed the legal aspects of university governance in the context of digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence.

• Douglas Hartman, Professor of Technology, Learning, and Literacy, Michigan State University, emphasized the importance of digital literacy for future educational leaders.

The panel discussion was concluded by Christian Brauweiler, Professor of Management Accounting and Internal Auditing, West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, who noted the need for a strategic approach to leadership in educational institutions.

Panel 3: Turning on the Ivory Towers: Integrating Higher Education and Society

The third panel, moderated by Serik Abilov, Director of the International Department at KAFU, focused on the integration of universities with business and government agencies to address pressing societal challenges. The following speakers took the floor:

• Ron Wiley, Associate Professor of Law and International Relations, KAFU, Professor of Social Sciences, Samarkand International Technological University, emphasized the importance of partnerships between universities and government agencies.

• Hugh Hallman, Co-Founder and Advisor to the President of KAFU, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke about the role of international cooperation and links between universities and society.

• Tom Schaal, Professor of Healthcare Management, West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, spoke about training specialists to interact with the healthcare system and business.

The final word was given by Thomas Pepper, Professor of History of Art and Design, West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, noting the importance of cultural exchange and interaction for the successful development of education and society.

The round table ended with an exchange of views and strengthening of cooperation between Kazakhstani and international colleagues.