Joint International Collaborative Education Project with Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan
The Centre for Wellbeing Science (CWS) and The Research in Effective Education in Early Childhood (REEaCh) Centre embarked on a significant three-year joint international collaborative education project with Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. The primary objective of this initiative is to examine the impact of positive early childhood education and care on the health and wellbeing of young children in Kazakhstan. Generously funded by the Central Asian Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Transformation (CARCEIT), which operates under Nazarbayev University, the project aims to contribute valuable insights to the field of early childhood education.
The team from Nazarbayev University, comprising Associate Professor Daniel Hernández-Torrano, Dr. Laura Ibrayeva, and Ms. Aiida Kulsary from the Graduate School of Education, visited Melbourne for the first phase of their research activities. This visit took place from the 11th to the 15th of December 2023, marking the beginning of collaborative efforts between the Australian and Kazakhstani institutions.
During their stay in Melbourne, the project team engaged in productive discussions with members of both the CWS and REEaCh teams, focusing on key aspects of the research project. CWS and REEaCh organized sessions dedicated to discussing early childhood education in Kazakhstan and Australia, mixed methods research designs, ways of conducting systematic reviews, ethical issues, and different measurement approaches for early childhood contexts. They also visited two different early childhood centres in the inner city of Melbourne to observe the different approaches to promoting quality care, learning and wellbeing in these environments.
To conclude their visit on a cultural note, the Nazarbayev University team was invited to the Centre's End of Year Function at the Fitzroy Victoria Bowling and Sport Club. This event provided them with a unique opportunity to experience traditional Australian sports, contributing to an enjoyable and memorable conclusion to their stay in Melbourne. They also got to experience getting up close and personal with some Australian wildlife at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and a quick stop at the Brighton Bathing boxes was also on their ‘to do’ list.
