International cooperation

International cooperation of the Department of Psychology is an important component of its activities, contributing to the expansion of knowledge horizons and the improvement of the quality of education and scientific research.

The main goal of developing the international activities of the Department is to enhance international cooperation in order to ensure increased competitiveness of the Department in the educational services market and to strengthen its international authority as a scientific center; to provide high-quality education that meets the requirements imposed on science and education in the modern world.

Areas of cooperation:

Scientific research: The Department of Psychology participates in international research projects, conferences, and symposia, collaborating with leading universities and research centers around the world.

Exchange of experience: Faculty members of the Department actively participate in international educational programs, seminars, and workshops, exchanging advanced methodologies and practices in the field of psychology.

International academic mobility of faculty and students of the Department: Students and faculty members have the opportunity to study and undertake internships abroad within the framework of academic exchanges and international mobility programs, which allows them to broaden their horizons, master new methodologies, and develop intercultural skills.

In order to strengthen international relations, the Department establishes international connections with foreign higher educational institutions, exchanges experience, participates in conferences and seminars, and concludes bilateral agreements with the aim of integration into the global educational space.

The Department cooperates with research centers of the CIS countries: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Institute of Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology (Moscow), Saint Petersburg State University, Barnaul State Pedagogical University, Tomsk State University, Nizami Tashkent State Pedagogical University, International Academy of Psychological Sciences (Yaroslavl), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași.

Over the past three years, faculty members of the Department have participated in national and international conferences in Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, the UAE, and the USA.

FOREIGN PROFESSORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Graduate school of journalism and social sciences
L.N. GUMILYOV EURASIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Within the framework of the Program “Attracting Foreign Scientists and Consultants to Leading Universities of Kazakhstan,” foreign professors from leading higher educational institutions of near and far abroad countries are employed at the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Social Sciences of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

1. Nguyen-Pheng-Vian Nam-Pheng, PhD, University of Minnesota Duluth, USA

An international seminar-training “Trauma of Mind and Body” was conducted by the Department of Psychology of L.N. Gumilyov ENU in collaboration with the Department of Psychology of the University of Minnesota Duluth (June 22, 23, 24, 2022).

2. Vladimir Tovievich Kudryavtsev, Professor, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, UNESCO Chair “Cultural-Historical Psychology of Childhood”

Lectures for first-year doctoral and master’s students in the disciplines “Theory and Methodology of Psychology” and “Methodology of Psychological and Pedagogical Activity” are delivered by Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Director for Scientific and Educational Activities of the publishing house “Linka-Press,” Scientific Consultant of the journal “Obruch,” Member of the Council of the Moscow Psychological Society, Member of the Board of the Philosophical Society “Dialectics and Culture,” member of the editorial boards of the journals “Cultural-Historical Psychology,” “Psychological and Pedagogical Research,” “RSUH Bulletin. Series ‘Psychology. Pedagogy. Education,’” “Preschool Education,” “Modern Preschool Education. Theory and Practice,” “Pedagogical Journal of Bashkortostan,” “Proceedings of the Southern Federal University. Series ‘Psychology. Pedagogy. Education,’” “Kindergarten: Theory and Practice,” and others, as well as editorial councils of the journals “Kindergarten from A to Z,” “Pedagogy Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” — Vladimir Tovievich Kudryavtsev.

3. Kehinde Clement Lawrence, Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). Visiting Professor of the Department of Psychology from 2022 to the present. Kehinde Clement Lawrence is a researcher at the Faculty of Education, Walter Sisulu University, Butterworth Campus, South Africa.

Currently based in the United Kingdom, he practices as a professional counseling psychologist and is a registered member of the British Psychological Society. He delivers lectures for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students of the Department of Psychology in such courses as: Ethnic and Cross-Cultural Psychology, Health Psychology: Theory, Methodology and Technology, Legal Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Psychology.

      4. José María Freire Duro, M.A. Visiting Professor of the Department of Psychology from 2024 to 2025, and the first half of the 2025–2026 academic year. José María Freire Duro is a practicing neuropsychologist at the Parkinson’s Disease Association in La Coruña, Spain.

José María Freire Duro is a unique specialist with multifaceted professional experience. He worked for more than 10 years as Head of Human Resources Development in one of the world’s largest companies — Coca-Cola. His professional activity covers a wide range of areas: from organizational psychology to psychosocial assistance to vulnerable population groups, including rehabilitation of women who have survived sexual violence and work with people suffering from various types of addiction. In addition, José has extensive experience in clinical and crisis psychology in armed conflict zones such as Syria, Georgia, Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Somalia. Equally significant is his contribution to the neuropsychological rehabilitation of patients with neurodegenerative diseases: he heads the Parkinson’s disease service in Spain.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC MOBILITY OF THE FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY OF L.N. GUMILYOV ENU

Academic mobility plays a key role in the international cooperation of the Department of Psychology in several aspects:
Exchange of knowledge and experience;
Intercultural communication;
Strengthening partnership ties;
Promotion of the international prestige of the Department and the University.

Within the framework of academic mobility, foreign professors from leading higher educational institutions of near and far abroad countries carry out professional activities: University of Minnesota Duluth (USA), Moscow State University of Psychology and Education (Russian Federation), National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek.

Head of the Department Mambetalina A.S., doctoral students of the Educational Program “Psychology,” on the basis of a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2021, carried out academic mobility of faculty at the University of Minnesota, Department of Psychology, Duluth, Minnesota, USA (from May 15 to June 15, 2022). Mambetalina A.S. also participated in the International Chicago Convention of Psychologists, USA, 2022, together with leading professors of psychology from Harvard and Stanford.

Also, from February to May of the 2025 academic year, Mambetalina A.S. completed an internship at Boston Children’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School (USA). According to the plan, the internship was divided into three months: the first month — work in the psychiatric inpatient department, the second month — in the emergency department, and the third month — devoted to research activities. During the third month, she continued her research work jointly with Samantha Awada. During the internship, work was conducted in English, which contributed to a deeper mastery of academic foreign language skills and ensured that the internship was carried out at an international level.

Head of the Department Mambetalina A.S., in order to expand and develop international cooperation in the field of psychological science, participated and presented the results of scientific research in 2023 at the international convention of the Society for American Psychological Research in Brussels, Belgium.

Baizhumanova Bibianar in the 2023–2024 academic year, within the framework of the “Bolashaq 500 Scientists” program, completed a one-year research internship in the field of educational research at Hacettepe University (Ankara, Republic of Türkiye).

During the internship, a number of studies were conducted focusing on the problem of psychological health of university students in Kazakhstan and Turkic countries. In addition, an exchange of international experience in the organization of innovative technologies in the university educational process was carried out.

Within the framework of the study, such factors as academic workload, social adaptation, financial difficulties, and anxiety about the future, as well as their impact on the psychological health of students in higher educational institutions of the two countries, were analyzed. Indicators of psychological health included students’ academic performance, characteristics of their social interaction and quality of life, and specific features characteristic of each country were identified.

In cooperation with the faculty of Hacettepe University, scientific articles were prepared for publication in journals indexed in the Scopus database. A number of public events were also organized, and educational materials used in the academic process were developed.

As a result of the internship, close scientific cooperation between the two countries in the field of psychological science was established.

In 2025, Ph.D., Doctor of the Department of Psychology, Zhazira Yesenkeldiyevna Abdykhalykova, successfully completed a one-year scientific internship at The George Washington University (Washington, D.C., USA) during the 2024–2025 academic year within the framework of the “500 Scientists” project of the Bolashak scholarship program.

As part of her scientific and professional development, Dr. Abdykhalykova actively participated in lectures and seminars conducted by leading professors of The George Washington University, as well as in international scientific events organized at leading research institutions and universities, including The Brookings Institution, Harvard University, American University, Georgetown University, George Mason University, and the University of Southern California.

Z.E. Abdykhalykova became a member of the psychological research laboratory of the Department of Cognitive Psychology at The George Washington University and regularly participated in weekly scientific meetings attended by faculty members and doctoral students. Various research projects and contemporary scientific studies in the field of psychology were discussed at these meetings.

Faculty members from the Department of Psychology delivered lectures as guest speakers at the Nizami National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan (Tashkent)

Head of the Department of Psychology, Ph.D. in Psychology, Acting Professor A.S. Mambetalina, Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor A.M. Aitysheva, Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor A.R. Mandykaeva, Ph.D. in Pedagogical Sciences, Senior Lecturer M.M. Ryskulova, as part of efforts to develop international cooperation, delivered guest lectures to students majoring in Psychology at the Nizami National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan. The faculty taught the following courses: Experimental Psychology, Legal Psychology, Psychology of Stress, Psychology of Thinking, Psychology of Health, and others, according to the approved schedule. These classes included lectures, seminars, and practical work. During the lectures, students were introduced to the basic concepts, theories, and approaches to psychology. Seminars facilitated deeper understanding of the material through discussion, analysis of scientific sources, and solving practical problems.           

Particular attention was paid to developing critical thinking and the ability to apply acquired knowledge in practice. A key part of the training was the use of interactive methods, such as group discussions, case studies, role-playing, psychological training, and master classes. This helped students better understand the characteristics of human behavior and develop communication, empathy, and crisis analysis skills.            Thus, conducting classes for students majoring in Psychology at this university contributed to the comprehensive development of students and the formation of professional competencies necessary for future professional activities.

Faculty members from the Department of Psychology at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University at the opening of the psychology laboratory at the Tashkent State Academy of Sports.

On March 26, 2026, the acting head of the Department of Psychology, Professor A.S. Mambetalina, and faculty members of the Department of Psychology—A.M. Aitysheva, Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor, Ph.D. in Psychology, Associate Professor A.R. Mandykayeva, and Ph.D. in Psychology, Senior Lecturer M.M. Ryskulova, delivered guest lectures to students at the State Academy of Sports as part of efforts to develop international cooperation.

PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

International Conference “Regional Aspects of Sustainable Development of Professional Education: Challenges and Prospects,” October 27–28, 2022, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Joint cooperation of the Head of the Department of Psychology of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, A.S. Mambetalina, with Shirinova Raima Khakimovna — Vice-Rector for International Relations (Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor), National University of Uzbekistan named after Mirzo Ulugbek.

JOINT PUBLICATIONS WITH FOREIGN FACULTY MEMBERS

1. Kudryavtsev V.T.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGES OF COMMUNICATION IN A CONFLICT-GENIC WORLD. Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference, December 17–18, 2021, Moscow.
https://psycholinguistic.ru/knigi/sbornik-trudov-konferenczii-rech-i-yazyki-obshheniya?sbornik-trudov-konferenczii-rech-i-yazyki-obshheniya.pd

2. Vianne Nguyen-Feng
A conceptual review of proactivity in coping and daily life: perspectives following Kazakhstan’s “proactive state” decree. Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Pedagogy. Psychology. Sociology Series. 137 (4). 371–377.
https://doi org/10.32523/2616-6895-2021-137-4-371-377
https://azdok.org/document/zx5nlr2o-conceptual-review-proactivity-coping-perspectives-following-kazakhstan-proactive.html
https://traumapsychnews.com/2022/08/moving-beyond-gender-based-discrimination-domestic-violence-in-kazakhstan/

3. Chebotareva E.Yu., Golubeva K.A.
The relationship between women’s psychological autonomy and manifestations of violence in young married couples. Bulletin of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. Series: PEDAGOGY. PSYCHOLOGY. SOCIOLOGY. No. 3(140)/2022, pp. 471–487.

Faculty members of the Department of Psychology of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in collaboration with Professor V.T. Kudryavtsev of the Moscow State University of Psychology and Education.

SCIENTIFIC WORK OF FOREIGN PROFESSORS WITH DOCTORAL AND MASTER’S STUDENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY

Second-year doctoral student Kutebaev T. of the Department of Psychology of ENU, second-year doctoral student Gitikhmaeva L., worked with PhD Nguyen-Feng Vianne Nam-Feng and Vice-Rector Professor A.G. Maklakov (University of Duluth, USA; Pushkin Leningrad State University).

Third-year doctoral student Kurmangalieva Zh. and second-year doctoral students of the Department of Psychology of L.N. Gumilyov ENU worked with Professor V.T. Kudryavtsev and PhD Lawrence Kehinde Clement of the University of Zululand.

Second-year doctoral students of the Department of Psychology of L.N. Gumilyov ENU worked with Professor V.T. Kudryavtsev.

Doctoral student Gitikhmaeva L.M. worked with the Head of Department, PhD Lawrence Kehinde Clement of the University of Zululand.

I.A. Gaivoronskaya of Pushkin Leningrad State University participated in the seminar of curators and advisors of L.N. Gumilyov ENU.

In 2024, the Head of the Department of Psychology of the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Aliya Mambetalina, and a representative of Harvard University (Boston, USA), Senior Vice President for Clinical Services of the Children’s Hospital Corporation, Michael Gillespie, signed an agreement on consulting services.

A project led by Dr. PhD, research fellow at Harvard Medical School Samantha Awada, and Head of the Department of Psychology of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Candidate of Psychological Sciences Aliya Mambetalina, funded by the Boston Children’s Hospital Global Health Program, implemented activities aimed at strengthening the capacity of psychologists in Kazakhstan in the field of suicide prevention and support.

Within the framework of this project, the needs of child and adolescent mental health service providers regarding screening, assessment, and safety planning related to suicide were identified. Based on this needs assessment and a review of evidence-based safety planning models (adapted to the conditions of Kazakhstan), Dr. Awada, Dr. Mambetalina, and Dr. Cardeli conducted training for school psychologists on December 15–16, 2024, in Astana.

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC MOBILITY OF STUDENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY OF L.N. GUMILYOV ENU 2024–2025

Outgoing academic mobility

Bachelor’s degree

1. Abeubakirova Guldana Didarovna – V041-3103-21-01 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

2. Akhyzhanova Zhansaya Islambekkyzy – V041-3103-21-03 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

3. Balmkhanova Zhansaya Yerbolatkyzy – V041-3103-21-03 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

4. Kizat Damira Bulatkyzy – V041-3103-21-03 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

5. Nurkenkyzy Nurailym – V041-3103-21-03 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

6. Salimzhanova Dilnaz Aidarkyzy – V041-3103-21-03 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

7. Fazylkarim Sayazhan Kanatkyzy – V041-3103-21-01 – Nizami Pedagogical Institute, Uzbekistan (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

8. Zhandarbekova Aigerim Ablaikyzy – V041-3103-23-04 – Adam Mickiewicz University (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year);

9. Zholdas Moldir Zhanbekkyzy – V041-3103-23-04 – Adam Mickiewicz University (Fall semester 2024–2025 academic year).

Master’s degree program 7M03103 – Psychology

Outgoing mobility

1. Yegimbayeva Ainagul Serikkalievna – M066-3110-24-02 – Saint Petersburg State University, Russian Federation (Fall semester 2025–2026 academic year)

2. Yusupova Guzel Serikovna – M066-3110-24-02 – Russian Federation (Fall semester 2025–2026 academic year)

3. Aukhatova Zhanna Askhatovna – M066-3110-24-02 – Adam Mickiewicz University, Poland (Fall semester 2025–2026 academic year)

Master’s degree program 7M03103 – Psychology

1. Batyrgalieva Assel Amangeldievna – 7M03103 Psychology (Master’s degree) – Genoa, Italy, University of Genoa, ENU Ambassador, 25.02.2023–22.07.2023 academic year.

2. Urbisinova Ainali – 7M03103 Psychology (Master’s degree) – Genoa, Italy, University of Genoa, ENU Ambassador, 25.02.2023–22.07.2023 academic year.

3. Adayeva Gulmira Bakhtiyarovna – 7M03110 Psychology (Master’s degree) – Poland, University of Wroclaw, ENU Ambassador, 01.10.2023–19.02.2024 academic year.

4. Sapen Aizhan – 7M03110 Psychology (Master’s degree) – Poland, University of Wroclaw, ENU Ambassador, 01.10.2023–19.02.2024 academic year.

Doctoral program 8D03103 – Psychology

Outgoing mobility

1. Akhmetkali Guldana Serikkyzy – Romania, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iasi, ENU Students Ambassador, 26.02.2024–30.06.2024

2. Tilmagambetova R.E. – Educational Institute of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation – 09.11–08.12.2025

3. Turmanova Zh.E. – Educational Institute of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation – 09.11–08.12.2025

4. Zholshybekova R.O. – Educational Institute of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation – 09.11–08.12.2025

5. Kuandykova A.A. – Educational Institute of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation – 09.11–08.12.2025

6. Isina A.S. – Educational Institute of the Mathias Corvinus Collegium Foundation – 09.11–08.12.2025

7. Kassymov Yerbota – University of Trento – 2025–2026 (until completion of research)

Incoming mobility

Master’s degree program 7M03103 – Psychology

1. Sultanbekova Nuraiym – Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan, Welcome to ENU program, 15.01.2024–30.06.2024

2. Turgunbay kyzy Elnura – Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan, Welcome to ENU program, 15.01.2024–30.06.2024

Incoming mobility

Doctoral program 8D03103 – Psychology (PhD doctoral studies)

1. Kikbayev Daniyar Sankibayuly – second-year postgraduate student of the Faculty of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv – 09.2023–22.01.2024

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (DOUBLE DEGREE PROGRAM)

On June 5, 2025, L.N. Gumilyov ENU and Trento University (Italy) signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of training scientific personnel (doctoral students). Such cooperation opens broad prospects for young scientists, providing them with access to international academic experience, advanced scientific schools, and an intercultural research environment.

Trento University is a university in Italy with approximately 16,000 students, offering 25 bachelor’s programs and 30 master’s programs, and employing 600 professors. The Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences is ranked among the top 200 departments in the field of psychology.

Currently, Yerbota Kassymov, a doctoral student of the Department of Psychology, is working on an empirical study devoted to the psychological characteristics of students influencing the formation of gambling addiction. The study includes conducting psychodiagnostic surveys, comparative data analysis, and publication of results in international scientific journals.