KAU at the SCO Women’s Forum: Empowerment and Opportunities

Alina Abdrakhmanova, Managing Partner of the Kazakh-American University and a member of the Commission on Women’s Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Women's Forum in Qingdao, China. The forum, held from September 10 to 12 as part of the SCO Summit, was dedicated to the theme "Empowering Women Economically through Digitalization."

The event gathered representatives not only from SCO member countries but also from candidate states and observer countries. Among the participants were high-ranking officials, including vice presidents, deputy prime ministers, first ladies, and well-known political and public figures. The forum also featured leaders from the business community, underscoring the significance of the issues discussed.

The main topics covered included women's education, economic equality, and inclusive development. In her speech, Alina Abdrakhmanova emphasized the need for investments in the education of girls and women. She highlighted that such investments not only improve families' economic well-being but also positively impact GDP growth. She also presented projects implemented by the National Commission in partnership with the Samruk-Kazyna Foundation, the Technowomen association, and Astana Hub, and proposed creating a unified digital platform for training women from SCO member countries.

The SCO Women's Forum was characterized by a high level of organization, and participants held high hopes for joint initiatives and projects aimed at empowering women, particularly in the field of digital technologies.

Inclusive development and women's rights are key priorities in the Kazakh-American University's strategy. The university actively supports initiatives aimed at empowering women in education, science, and business, striving to create favorable conditions for their growth and self-realization. The introduction of digital technologies and innovative educational programs helps develop skills necessary for competitiveness in the modern world and promotes inclusion and economic equality. These values are reflected not only in the university’s educational programs but also in its activities within international projects and partnerships.

After the forum, Alina Abdrakhmanova held several meetings with representatives of the SCO Technology Transfer Center (China) and the SCO Trade Institute. Prospects for cooperation with the Kazakh-American University were discussed, including student and faculty exchange programs and internship opportunities for students within the framework of international partnerships. These meetings open up new opportunities for strengthening educational ties and creating practical platforms for student development in the context of global cooperation.