UNICEF and East Kazakhstan University agree to pioneer on Child Rights Syllabus

UST KAMENOGORSK. April 5. KAZINFORM Rector of the Sarsen Amanzholov Eastern Kazakhstan State University (EKSU) Mr Beibut Mamrayev and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Representative in Kazakhstan Ms Hanaa Singer signed the Memorandum of Understanding between the University and UNICEF in Ust-Kamenogorsk in the presence of a large gathering of students and university staff.

The Memorandum envisages introduction of Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Syllabuses at the Public Administration and Law Faculty of the EKSU, strengthening the EKSU capacities to prepare qualified social workers and teachers and assisting the University to get hooked into international network on student exchange progammes.

"It is great honor for us to cooperate with such a UN agency as UNICEF and I am glad that our students will benefit from our cooperation," Mr Beibut Mamrayev told students and teachers after the signing the document at the University.

"UNICEF is very eager to join hands with the Eastern Kazakhstan State University, with its track record as one of the leading high educational establishments in the country. We hope that our collaboration will contribute to the introduction of international standards on child rights and to develop knowledge, skills and competencies of University students and Public Administration and Law Faculty on juvenile justice, social work, and relevant analytical studies and research," Ms Singer addressed the attendees.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the students asked numerous questions about UNICEF activities globally and locally, national and international political events, issues regarding youth and children and challenges of working and living as an international UN civil servant. Ms Singer expressed her extreme satisfaction by the level of awareness of the students and their eagerness, energy and interest to understand international events and challenges to young people worldwide.

Within the framework of the Memorandum, selected students will undergo internship at UNICEF-assisted programmes in Kazakhstan. Also, international and national UNICEF experts will be invited to deliver lectures at the EKSU. The memorandum also includes supporting the development of a students' child rights clinic under the Public Administration and Law Faculty as well as providing UNICEF publications for the University's library, the press service of UNICEF Kazakhstan reports.