Leading Professors and Experts from the USA Inaugurated the New Academic Year at KAFU

Students at the Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) do not need to cross the ocean to learn from renowned instructors, scholars, and practitioners from the United States. Professors, researchers, and leaders of international organizations from abroad come directly to the university’s classrooms in Oskemen. September 2026 has once again affirmed KAFU’s status as a leading center for international education in the region; from the very start of the academic year, undergraduate and graduate students have engaged in open dialogue with distinguished international experts.

The driving force behind this unique international model of higher education is KAFU’s founder and president, Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziev, an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For many years, Daniel Ballast—KAFU Vice President for International Programs and head of the organization Co-Serve International—has been a steadfast partner in the university’s efforts to build global alliances. His meetings with students consistently focus on fostering a global perspective, critical thinking, and the principles of servant leadership. This philosophy serves as a cornerstone for KAFU, where leadership is viewed as a genuine commitment to serving society, nurturing talent, and taking responsibility for driving positive change within the country and across the globe.

A highlight of early autumn was the official visit of a high-level delegation from Resource Exchange International, a US-based organization headquartered in Colorado Springs. The university welcomed Brian Gibbs, Chairman of the Board—who brings extensive experience collaborating with the non-governmental sector in the US and Japan—along with Renee Gibbs and headquarters staff member Shannon Sundquist, who oversees international academic programs and support services for international students. High-level talks with the leadership of KAFU took place during the visit, focusing on new horizons for international partnership.

The work of KAFU Professor and PhD Ronald Wiley serves as a solid foundation for this long-term alliance. For five years, Dr. Wiley has generously shared his deep expertise in international law with students. International lecturer and trainer Jeanine Wiley also contributes to the educational process; her original training sessions and interactive classes help students—even in their early years of study—overcome language barriers, build confident communication skills, and use English fluently in a professional context.

The modern educational process at KAFU is inextricably linked to technology and the real economy. Practical training has taken place both in university laboratories and at the Oskemen Hub, a technology partner of the institution. KAFU Honorary Doctor James Simons, representing the Colorado Volunteer Team, conducted intensive sessions for future professionals on information technology and technical translation within the industry.

Furthermore, at the initiative of the university’s Entrepreneurship Center, Dr. James Simons organized an exclusive series of practical workshops covering investment fundamentals, venture business, and startup resource management. The interactive format of these sessions allowed students to immerse themselves in real-world business cases and adopt an entrepreneurial mindset from their very first weeks.

Academic and research activities were further strengthened by Dr. Gideon Simons from the University of Southern Mississippi. His specialized courses on academic English, research methodology, and standards for preparing scholarly articles equipped senior undergraduates, master’s students, and faculty members with the skills needed to publish their work in prestigious international journals.

KAFU continues to expand horizons for young people. Direct access to global best practices in education, strong international partnerships, and practice-oriented training empower KAFU students to build successful global careers right from their time at the university.