On October 4, 2024, the VIII Central Asian International Forum on Quality Assurance in Education took place in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan. The forum brought together leading experts, including the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan and the Minister of Healthcare.
The event featured prominent international figures such as Stéphane Lauwick, President of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) from France, Douglas Blackstock, President of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) from the UK, and Ricardo Leon-Borquez, representing the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) via a welcome video.
The Rector of the International Higher School of Medicine (IHSM), Stalbek M. Akhunbaev, participated as a panellist in the discussion titled “Integration of Medical Education, Science, and Practice.” Joining him was IHSM Vice-Rector for Administrative and Clinical Affairs, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vladimir P. Alekseev.
Rectors, vice-rectors, and representatives from higher education agencies of Kazakhstan, Latvia, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan also contributed to the forum, emphasizing the critical role of quality assurance in the strategic development of universities in today’s digital landscape.
The Forum served as a valuable platform for fostering international collaboration and sharing insights into improving educational standards. The participation of IHSM reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing medical education through a synergy of science, practice, and international cooperation.