In The Globe`s Focus

IN THE GLOBE`S FOCUS

Almaty and Moscow: universities in the light of comparison

Kazakh State National University and Moscow State University: social life from inside

Aigul MYRZATAI

ALMATY � MOSCOW, April 26 (THE GLOBE)

The Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU) and the Al-Farabi Kazakh State National University (KazSNU) both have deep historical roots. The two schools are considered the exemplary universities of their respective states: Russia and Kazakhstan. But in reality, their situations are very different. If MSU is an authentic intellectual image of Russia, this epithet does not hold true with KazSNU. There was always a stable demand for a MSU diploma all over the world, including Kazakhstan. A large percentage of the representatives of the Kazakhstan government graduated from prestigious institutes in Moscow and Leningrad (St. Petersburg). MSU means not only the highest degree of education, but also an assurance of the students� social rights. Unfortunately this is not characteristic of KazSNU. In comparison to MSU, the educational standards offered at KazSNU, as well as the level of union activity, guarantees of students and personnel�s security of the rights, the administrations� work, and attitude to the students at the institution rates very poorly.

I would like to quote from the director of MSU, Academician Sadovnichy, whom I believe is genuinely grieving for Russian science when he says: �There was no example in the history of civilization, of a country becoming prosperous at the same time as education, science and culture fell into decline. In Russia only certain people are becoming rich. Many of these new Russians have become prosperous at the expense of education, gaining billions in profits from misusing its funds. Mocking decisions are taken everywhere. It is high time to stop the revolutionary oppression of the national educational system, and to choose evolutionary development.� But it seems that in Kazakhstan, there isn�t even anything to be oppressed.

The third way of Japan

Zinetulla ISEPOV, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics,

Professor of Kioto University,

Kioto, Japan (Specially for THE GLOBE)

From the editorial staff: we present for your attention a series of articles about Japan. The author is a Kazakhstani professor who has worked for several years at one of the leading Japan universities. For most of its history, the country of the rising sun had been isolated from the whole world, until it was discovered by chance by a Spanish corsair. Though for many Kazakhstan citizens Japan is still a mystery and is associated with yakudza and �Sony�. At the same time, the culture of Japan and the traditional life of its people are fraught with many interesting things and contribute to one�s understanding of the nation�s rapid economic growth. As the author, we hope that this series will promote the strengthening of friendly links between Kazakhstan and Japan.