The Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences Hosted an Information Session on Academic Mobility Programs

On September 15, 2026, the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted an information session for first-, second-, and third-year undergraduate students with representatives of the Department of International Cooperation of Al-Farabi KazNU.

The main purpose of the meeting was to introduce students to opportunities for participation in international academic mobility and exchange programs, the conditions of competitive selection, eligibility requirements, document preparation procedures, funding opportunities, and the specifics of studying at partner universities abroad.

During the presentation, particular attention was paid to the Erasmus+ and Orhun Exchange Program. Students were informed about the main differences between the two academic mobility pathways, opportunities for selecting a host university, the duration of study, the procedure for coordinating academic courses, and the subsequent recognition and transfer of credits earned abroad at Al-Farabi KazNU.

A separate part of the meeting was devoted to the Erasmus+ program, which provides students with an opportunity to complete part of their studies at a foreign university within the framework of existing interuniversity agreements and available mobility quotas. Participants were introduced to the academic and language requirements of the program. In particular, participation in the Al-Farabi KazNU competition requires a GPA of at least 3.5, as well as proof of foreign language proficiency at B2 level or higher. Additional requirements may vary depending on the specific partner university and the conditions of each announced competition.

Students also received information about the package of documents required for participation in Erasmus+. These may include an application form, an academic transcript in English, proof of foreign language proficiency, a passport, a motivation letter, and a Learning Agreement, which is prepared after successful selection in cooperation with the faculty.

During the meeting, examples of international partner universities were presented, including Mälardalen University, University of Granada, University of Porto, University of Cádiz, University of Poitiers, University of Bergen, University of Valladolid, Riga Technical University, Kaunas University of Technology, and University of Split. It was emphasized that the exact number of available places, eligible academic programs, and application deadlines are determined by the conditions of each individual competition announced by Al-Farabi KazNU.

Considerable attention was also devoted to the Orhun Exchange Program, which focuses on academic exchange among universities within the Turkic academic community through the TURKUNIB network. The program brings together approximately 170 universities and provides opportunities for student and staff mobility for one or two semesters, with successful completion followed by recognition of the courses and grades obtained at the host university.

Participants were informed about the requirements of the Orhun program. The minimum cumulative GPA required for participation is 2.5 out of 4.0. According to the presented conditions, applicants must be enrolled in a full-time degree program, while preparatory-year, first-year, and graduating students are not eligible to participate. In addition, the student's field of study and selected courses must correspond to the academic offerings of the host university.

Examples of universities participating in the Orhun network included Ege University, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Baku State University, Samarkand State University, Széchenyi István University, Akhmet Yassawi University, Azerbaijan Technical University, Hacettepe University, Sakarya University, and the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. Students were also reminded to verify the compatibility of their academic program, the language of instruction, accommodation conditions, and the requirements of Al-Farabi KazNU's internal selection process before submitting their applications.

Students showed particular interest in practical issues related to funding, accommodation abroad, travel expenses, language certificates, document preparation, and the selection of a host university. Representatives of the Department of International Cooperation provided detailed explanations regarding the preparation process for participation in academic mobility programs.

Students were advised to begin their preparation well in advance by selecting the appropriate program and semester, checking the compatibility of their field of study and language of instruction with the requirements of the chosen university, coordinating future courses with their academic advisor and the faculty, preparing their transcript, passport, and language proficiency documents, and submitting the complete application package within the internal deadlines established by Al-Farabi KazNU.

The meeting concluded with an open Q&A session, during which students had the opportunity to speak directly with specialists from the Department of International Cooperation and receive clarification on various aspects of participation in Erasmus+, Orhun, and other academic mobility and international exchange programs.

Such information sessions contribute to increasing students' awareness of international educational opportunities, help them plan their academic pathways in advance, and encourage a more informed approach to preparing for study at partner universities abroad.

The Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences will continue its information and consultation activities for students on academic mobility and participation in international educational programs.