The International Information Technology University continues to strengthen its international academic partnerships and advance practice-oriented media education. One of the flagship initiatives in this direction has become the annual International Media School of the IITU Faculty of Journalism, bringing together students, faculty members, and international academic partners.
From February 20 to March 6, students and professors of IITU took part in the Winter International Media School held in Poznań, Poland, at Adam Mickiewicz University. Students and faculty members of IITU’s journalism programs were given a unique opportunity to participate in a large-scale international educational project that combined academic learning, professional development, and intercultural exchange.
The program brought together 12 students and faculty representatives from the Department of Media Communications and History of Kazakhstan. As part of the Media School, participants visited Poznań, Warsaw, Gdańsk, Wrocław, and Kraków, where they explored the European academic environment, Poland’s cultural heritage, and modern approaches to media education.
A special focus of the Media School was placed on academic lectures and professional discussions delivered by IITU faculty members. Lectures for the participants were conducted by professors of the Faculty of Journalism — A. Askarbekovna, S. Ashenova, and L. Tungatarova.
Aigul Niyazgulova delivered a lecture dedicated to the transformation of Kazakhstan’s political system and educational policy in 2022–2026. Her presentation covered key constitutional reforms, the development of the “New Kazakhstan” concept, the digitalization of education, the expansion of international university branches, state support for science and media education, and the role of IITU in training specialists in digital journalism and media communications. Particular attention was paid to media literacy, the integration of artificial intelligence into educational programs, and the preparation of a new generation of journalists for the digital era.
S. Ashenova and L. Tungatarova also conducted lectures and academic sessions focused on contemporary journalism trends, international communication, media culture, and the development of digital media. Thanks to the active involvement of IITU faculty members, the Media School became not only a platform for academic exchange, but also an opportunity to showcase the educational and research potential of Kazakhstani journalism on the international stage.
The International Media School has already been successfully held in Almaty and Poznań, becoming an important part of the internationalization strategy of the IITU Faculty of Journalism. In the coming years, the project is expected to expand further, with future Media Schools planned in collaboration with universities across Europe, the United States, and Central Asian countries.
Today, the International Media School at IITU is evolving into an annual global educational platform aimed at promoting academic mobility, strengthening professional journalism education, and expanding the university’s international partnerships. Participation in such initiatives enables journalism students at IITU to gain valuable international experience, develop professional competencies, and integrate into the global media landscape.
The Faculty of Journalism at the International Information Technology University continues to broaden the geography of its international cooperation and create new opportunities for students and faculty members, reinforcing its position as one of Kazakhstan’s leading centers for digital journalism and media communications education.
