Ualikhanov University in partnership with British Council delivered a workshop on “Development of Double Degree Programmes”
From 24 to 27 February 2026, Ualikhanov University hosted a four-day workshop titled “Development of Double Degree Programmes,” bringing together faculty members, representatives of higher schools and institutes, as well as the university’s management team.
The primary objective of the workshop was to establish a shared understanding of the approaches, principles, and mechanisms underpinning the design and implementation of double degree programmes (DDPs), and to develop a coordinated vision for their integration into the university’s institutional practice.
The workshop was organised with the support of the British Council and included comprehensive expert facilitation, drawing on leading international practices in transnational education and academic partnership. The international expertise and structured methodological framework enabled participants to view double degree programmes not as isolated initiatives, but as a systemic instrument for the university’s strategic development.
Throughout the programme, participants developed a holistic understanding of DDPs as a strategic, academic, and institutional tool for advancing the university. The sessions addressed:
- conceptual models and terminology of double degree programmes;
- the strategic value of DDPs for universities, faculty, and students;
- the regulatory and institutional framework for DDP implementation in the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- key barriers, risks, and constraints in programme development;
- methodological approaches to the design of joint educational programmes.
Particular attention was given to aligning domestic regulatory requirements with international standards, ensuring the comparability of learning outcomes, and building sustainable partnership models.
In the second half of the workshop, the focus shifted to the practical aspects of DDP development and implementation. Participants explored the role of credit systems in international partnerships, alignment of curricula and academic learning outcomes, mechanisms for student and staff academic mobility, institutionalisation of double degree programmes and quality assurance systems for joint programmes.
The workshop was delivered in an interactive format combining group analysis, discussion, and collaborative design. Participants not only examined the theoretical foundations of DDPs but also developed a practical roadmap for the design and implementation of double degree programmes at Ualikhanov University.
As a result of the workshop, a shared strategic vision was formed, positioning double degree programmes as a key instrument for enhancing academic competitiveness, expanding international engagement, and integrating the university into the global higher education landscape. Priority areas for development were identified, the potential of existing academic programmes was assessed, and concrete steps were outlined to ensure quality and effective governance of joint initiatives.
The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates jointly issued by Ualikhanov University and the British Council, underscoring the high level of international collaboration and the significance of the experience gained.
This workshop served not merely as a training event, but as a strategic platform for dialogue and the launch of systematic work towards the development of double degree programmes. It marks an important milestone in advancing the internationalisation strategy of Ualikhanov University and strengthening the institutional framework for joint educational programmes.
On behalf of the university, we express our sincere appreciation to the British Council for its professional support, valuable expertise, and meaningful contribution to the development of international academic cooperation.