KAFU Hosts Orientation Week for First-Year Students

A new academic year has begun at the Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU). For first-year students, this marks the start of classes, new friendships, and their first steps into university life. To help students settle into the new educational environment more quickly, KAFU held an orientation week.

The program began with a ceremonial assembly dedicated to the Day of Knowledge. Galina A. Menzyuk, Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law, and Education, and Gulzhan B. Edilbayeva, Deputy Dean, introduced the freshmen to the internal regulations, academic policies, and the KAFU Code of Academic Integrity. Yulia V. Novitskaya, Head of the Foreign Languages ​​Department, organized testing to assess the students’ English proficiency.

Yulia V. Trofimova, Director of the Center for Information Support and Digital Educational Technologies, conducted a training seminar on using the Moodle distance learning system. The knowledge gained will help first-year students utilize electronic educational resources, complete assignments, and interact effectively with their instructors. KAFU department heads explained the key principles of the credit-based learning system to the students.

Daniel Ballast, KAFU Vice-President for International Programs and Cooperation, presented the university’s international programs and opportunities for academic mobility. Alexandra G. Astafyeva, Director of the Career and Personal Development Center, introduced students to the Center’s courses and projects aimed at professional and personal growth.

Natalia P. Urazova, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, outlined the main activities of the Student Development Center. First-year students learned about student initiatives, campus life, and opportunities to develop their talents. The orientation week concluded with an introduction to the history of the Kazakh-American Free University. Orientation Week helps first-year students understand how the academic process is organized, learn about available educational and extracurricular opportunities, meet faculty members, and feel like part of the university community.

We wish our first-year students successful studies, a vibrant student life, new discoveries, and great achievements!