Foreign Faculty at KAFU: Meetings That Broaden Horizons
For many years, the Kazakh-American Free University has remained one of the unique universities in Kazakhstan, where the participation of foreign faculty is a long-standing tradition and an important part of the educational model. November 2025 further confirmed the high level of international cooperation: three international experts—Gary Soper (USA), Douglas Hartmann (USA), and Stefan Nowak (Germany)—actively participated in the university’s educational process and scientific events. Each of them brought to KAFU their own experience, unique methods, and a modern vision of global education.
Gary Soper, a certified teacher from Tennessee, continued the tradition of direct language practice with students. His classes were characterized by dynamism, free communication, and attention to the personal progress of each student. Students highly valued the opportunity to work with a native speaker in a live format—this significantly accelerates skill development and builds confidence in international communication. Gary Soper also presented the “NextGen Scholars” seminar for schoolchildren in Ust-Kamenogorsk, focused on the research culture and skills of the next generation.
A keynote address was given by Michigan State University Professor Douglas Hartmann, a leading authority on digital pedagogy and global educational trends. He conducted a series of seminars and workshops that transformed the understanding of students, graduate students, and faculty about the role of technology in modern education. Professor Hartmann was the keynote speaker at the plenary session of the KAFU International Scientific Congress, presenting a paper on the interaction of humans and artificial intelligence in the educational environment. His presentation generated widespread interest and became one of the central discussions of the conference, setting the tone for the conversation about the future of education not only at the university but also nationally.
Lecturer and researcher Stefan Noack from Germany brought European academic traditions and practices of responsible use of artificial intelligence in education and research to KAFU. He conducted a seminar on the effective use of AI and also gave a guest lecture, “Using Artificial Intelligence in Science,” where he presented modern approaches to integrating digital tools into international research. University undergraduate and graduate students were able to not only participate in scientific discussions but also try their hand at multilingual communication. Stefan Nowak taught German and English classes, creating an atmosphere of lively language practice.
The work of international faculty demonstrates that KAFU is an open-minded university where global ideas, international research, and intercultural communication are part of the daily learning environment. For students, such visits offer an opportunity to interact with researchers shaping modern science and receive an education oriented toward international standards.
The Kazakh-American Free University continues to move forward, developing international partnerships, attracting world-class practitioners and researchers, and creating an educational environment in which every student has the opportunity to become a competitive specialist. And the work of foreign faculty is not an incidental occurrence, but an important part of what makes KAFU a unique, future-oriented university.
