The Maxwell School Class of 2019 includes eight students from Kazakhstan who earned either dual degrees from the Academy of Public Administration (APA) under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the School’s Executive Master of Public Administration program (EMPA) or Certificates of Advanced Study in Public Administration. Altair Akhmetov, rector of the APA, attended the May 10 convocation that honored the first dual-degree students from Kazakhstan.

“The graduation reflects a dream fulfilled for Kazakhstan officials eager to visit the United States, study at a top public administration school, and gain knowledge and skills that will assist their effort to improve our country and our governance,” Akhmetov said. “Since the Academy signed an MOU with Maxwell in 2017, we have built a strategic partnership which is based on mutual respect and trust.”

The new partnership with APA reflects Maxwell’s growing interest in Central Asia and its ongoing work with the Moynihan Institute’s Central Asia and the Caucasus (CAC) Research Group. Maxwell’s formal relationship with Kazakhstan dates to 1997 and has expanded to include executive training, certificate students, EMPA students, and doctoral students.

“We enjoy working with students from Kazakhstan because they are so appreciative of their opportunity to study at the Maxwell School,” said Steve Lux, director of the Executive Education program. “Every one of them are eager to apply what they have learned to the challenges facing their country. It is also important to understand how these students contribute to their classmates’ educational experience, informing others what is going on back home and in Central Asia in general.”

Maxwell continues to build relationships in Kazakhstan. Baurzahan Bokayev, director of the School of Public Administration, will join the social science doctoral program in fall 2019, and additional officials are on track to graduate programs in 2020.

The strengthened relationship stems from close and ongoing collaboration between Maxwell and APA. Francine D’Amico, teaching professor in international relations, for example, visited in August 2018 to develop research connections and meet with students.

Dan Nelson, international program manager, expanded the partnership and visited the APA in November 2018 to represent Maxwell at the International Research Conference “State of the Future: New Technologies and Public Administration” to mark the 10th anniversary of the National School of Public Policy. Nelson will return to Kazakhstan in June to represent Maxwell at the APA’s 25th anniversary of their public administration program.

06/13/19