Waseda University Delegation Visits Preschool Educational Institutions in Almaty

On 7 September 2026, a delegation from Waseda University (Japan), consisting of 14 members, arrived in Almaty for an academic visit. The delegation included undergraduate and graduate students, doctoral students, and faculty members representing various academic fields, including psychology, social medicine, engineering, and healthcare. The delegation was headed by Professor Atsushi Ogihara of Waseda University.

As part of the visit programme, the Japanese students and faculty members, together with faculty members and students of the Department of Far Eastern Studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, visited preschool educational institutions in the Nauryzbai District of Almaty. This part of the programme was aimed at providing the participants with an opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the organization of preschool education in Kazakhstan, while also facilitating professional and academic exchange.

During the visits, the Japanese participants familiarized themselves with the organization of the educational process, the infrastructure, and the material and technical facilities of the preschool institutions. Particular attention was paid to the conditions created to support children’s comprehensive development, as well as to the organization of educational, play-based, and developmental activities. Direct engagement with the institutions enabled the participants to gain a more comprehensive understanding of current preschool education practices in Kazakhstan.

A particularly meaningful part of the programme was the meeting with the director of the “Sister” kindergarten. During the discussion, the Japanese students and faculty members learned about the institution’s main areas of activity, its educational and developmental programmes, and the approaches used in working with preschool-aged children. The participants had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss various aspects of the educational environment, approaches to child development, and the daily work of educators.

The visit to preschool educational institutions constituted an important component of the academic programme, as it enabled the Japanese students conducting research on preschool education to gain first-hand knowledge of educational practices in Kazakhstan and relate them to their own research interests. Direct interaction with educators and engagement with the educational environment contributed to a deeper understanding of the specific features of preschool education in Kazakhstan and created additional opportunities for intercultural and academic exchange between Kazakhstan and Japan.

Author: Laila Nurseitova, PhD, Senior Lecturer