OPENING OF THE CENTER FOR FRENCH AND EUROPEAN LANGUAGE DIDACTICS

The Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University hosted the official opening ceremony of the Center for French and European Language Didactics. The event was attended by the university administration, the Consul General of France in Kazakhstan, and members of the official French delegation. Along with the opening, the first professional development seminar for French language teachers also began its work.

The French delegation included Stéphane Biquialo, Dean of the Faculty of Literature and Languages at the University of Poitiers; Licia Baggini, International Relations Officer; Frédéric Richard, International Relations Representative of the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences; Céline Guillet, Faculty Administrative Director; and Émilie Lattier Lavergne, Administrative Director of the FLE Center.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was conducted by Abai University Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Banu Narbekova, Consul General of France in Almaty Maxime Gerenge, and University of Poitiers International Relations Officer Licia Baggini. The center’s plaque was unveiled by Vice-Rector for Strategy and Internationalization Aigul Iskakova and Licia Baggini.

The French Consulate fully equipped the Center with modern furniture, technical tools, laptops, microphones, methodological books, and visual teaching materials to ensure favorable conditions for practical lessons.The establishment of this new center is expected to significantly enhance the quality of French language education in Kazakhstan and strengthen cooperation in the fields of education and culture.

During the event, the French delegation met with university faculty, master’s students, and undergraduates to discuss academic mobility programs, language teaching methodology, joint research projects, and management practices. The discussion also covered expanding cooperation in STEM fields and developing international partnerships among Kazakhstani higher education institutions.