Professor Paul Kim at KAU: A Leap into the Future of Technology and Creativity

On November 26, Kazakh-American University hosted an inspiring event – a meeting with Dr. Paul Kim, Chief Technology Officer and Associate Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education, and a world-renowned expert in educational technologies.

For students, it was a unique opportunity to gain insights firsthand and learn how to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving world of technology and artificial intelligence. Dr. Kim’s lecture covered critical topics on skill development and adapting to the challenges of the AI era.

A special highlight of the lecture was Dr. Kim’s introduction of his project SMILE (Stanford Mobile Inquiry-based Learning Environment), an innovative platform that transforms the approach to education by engaging students through mobile technologies. This project showcased how technology can broaden educational horizons.

Following the lecture, a hands-on workshop was held where Dr. Kim introduced participants to his signature design thinking methodology, SMILE ASK. The inspiring and interactive format allowed students to tackle real-world challenges, enhancing their creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.

It was particularly delightful to see not only KAU students but also those from KBTU, Turan, Narxoz, and Satpayev University, as well as faculty members, take part in the event. This synergy of talented and ambitious young people created an atmosphere of genuine collaboration and knowledge exchange.

During the workshop, Dr. Kim organized a competition among the teams, and the winners received an incredible prize – a trip to Beijing or Los Angeles, personally awarded by Dr. Kim.

This meeting was not just an event but the beginning of an important journey. We are proud that Kazakh-American University became the first university in Kazakhstan to host such a distinguished guest. This is just the first step in developing educational initiatives between Dr. Kim's team and Kazakhstani universities.

We express our gratitude to Dr. Paul Kim for his inspiration and trust, and to our students for their openness to new knowledge and readiness for great achievements!