Press Releases
Reading academic made Honorary Professor of Kazakhstan uni – University of Reading
Release Date : 23 November 2009
The University of Reading's Dr Trevor Davies has been awarded an Honorary Professorship by Semey State University in Kazakhstan.
Dr Davies, from the University's Institute of Education, recently returned from Semey State where he taught education courses for four days. Dr Davies also met with senior members of Semey State to discuss how Reading's expertise could be used in possible new and important joint ventures between both institutions.
From these talks, Semey State has already expressed an interest in a Taught Masters programme. This would be based at their campus in Kazakhstan but run by the University of Reading. Tutors from Reading would visit Semey State and deliver intensive modules, providing expert preparation and support using distance education techniques.
Dr Davies said: "I am honoured to have been made an Honorary Professor at Semey State University. I enjoyed my time in Kazakhstan enormously and hopefully this is the beginning of an extremely fruitful partnership. Semey State reap the benefits of our expertise by receiving Continuing Professional Development of the highest order, while the University of Reading gains a new international partner to help broaden its perspective on education.
After learning of the success of the collaboration, East Kazakhstan State University has shown interest in becoming involved in a similar partnership.
Dr Davies added: "It is imperative that partnerships such as these are developed in countries that are 'emergent' in global settings. It is widely recognised at an international level that there is an urgent need to try and forge new ways of living together, because of the changes and insecurities evident in societies within a global context."
Rector of Semey State University, Meir Yeskendirov said: "Dr Davies' visit was historical since it was the first visit of a professor from one of the best universities in Great Britain. Students and teachers from the University and other schools learned so much from him. A University of Reading Masters programme at Semey State will provide excellent education not only to us and schools in Semey and East Kazakhstan, but to schools throughout the whole of Kazakhstan.
Dr Trevor Davies is based in the International Centre for Studies in Education and Training (ICSET) within the Institute of Education. ICSET is rapidly establishing itself as an authentic and innovative centre for educational development. For more information please visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/education/partners/ioe-iep.aspx
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The University of Reading's Institute of Education is a major provider of teachers nationally and regionally, offering PGCE Secondary and Primary, BA (Ed) and the Graduate Teacher Programmes (GTP). The secondary programme and the primary programme have both received the top Ofsted grades in 2006/7 and the Institute is now a category 'A' provider for all our courses. The employment rates of graduates are the highest in the University and the best in the country of any initial teacher training provider.