KAFU International Leadership Academy: Visit to the A.S. Pushkin’s library — A Hub of Cultural and Educational Leadership
On June 5, 2025, participants of the International Leadership Academy, implemented by the Kazakh-American Free University in cooperation with the international organization Co-Serve International (Portland, Oregon, USA), visited the East Kazakhstan Regional A.S. Pushkin’s library — one of the largest centers for education and cultural development in the region, open to people from all walks of life.
A key part of the visit was dedicated to the American Cultural Center, which has been operating within the library since December 2003 thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of State. This center became the first American Corner in Kazakhstan, launching a large-scale U.S. public diplomacy program in Central Asia. Its main mission is to provide open access to information about the United States, foster educational connections, and promote American culture.
Academy participants were welcomed by Timur Shaidullin, the Coordinator of the American Corner. Timur is a graduate of KAFU and also a former participant in KAFU’s servant leadership program. Timur is a true servant leader, as he involves many young people from the city and helps them to form clubs and activities around their areas of interest. He supports and encourages many people to get involved as volunteers and during the visit, Timur used the occasion of the Academy visit to thank his volunteers and present them with certificates of appreciation. Timur also shared about his own leadership practices at the Center and about the many resources provided by the center, including English-language books, multimedia technology, and computers with access to U.S. educational platforms. For many years now, the Center has remained a dynamic and in-demand space among students, educators, and the broader public. It actively hosts film and discussion clubs, meetings with American professors and volunteers, and international programs and initiatives.
Interestingly, the visit coincided with the celebration of Alexander Pushkin’s birthday. As per tradition, the event was held in the cozy square in front of the library, featuring a flower-laying ceremony and a variety of interactive activities that brought together play, creativity, and live communication. Guests participated in quizzes, literary games, language and historical contests, and enjoyed musical performances — including some organized by the American Corner.
This visit served as a vivid example of leadership through education, service, and cultural openness. The library stood out not merely as a repository of knowledge, but as a vibrant space for dialogue, growth, and unity. It demonstrated how leadership today is defined not by authority, but by the ability to create an environment where potential, values, and mutual understanding can flourish — qualities that are more essential than ever in shaping true leaders.
