focus

Harry Potter Night

Mwita Chacha Teaching is performance art

ONE HUNDRED ARTS From procrastination to art

Love Story Zhamila & Yerbol

TRAVELING

GEORGIA

Issue #3 april 2015

#nu_insta

SHSS Magazine

NEWSG

On cover: Gulnur DUISEKEYEVA‘‘FOCUS’’ photographer

Cover by; Darya TARISHKINA

Contents

WORD FOR WORD 8 MWITA CHACHA36 BARBARA JUNISBAI

LOVE STORY

14 ZHAMI&YERBOL

SUCCESS STORY

20 NOMAD DEBATE CLUB34 PRIZM STORE 38 NU_INSTA 42 NEW SG 34

14

8

FOCUS 2

Contents

Passion Issue20

38

ART&CULTURE

40 KANAT NURTAZIN46 LEVIATHAN

UNIVERSITY NEWS

24 NU GRADUATION CEREMONY30 LIFE AFTER UCL32 HARRY POTTER NIGHT42 NEW STUDENT GOVERNMENT47 ANNUAL FILM FEST

TRAVEL

26 DESTINATION: GEORGIA

CLUBS

13 ECONOMIC LEADERS SOCIETY48 NU THEATRE AND DRAMA CLUB

SHSS Magazine3

The leitmotif of this FOCUS issue is ‘passion’. On the pages of 3rd issue we tried to gather stories of

people, who seek inspiration in things they love. They seem to have little in common, except for their love of life, reflected through artistic projects, successes, ambitions

and unquenchable energy! This magazine itself is a product of a team of 20 people, who are passionate about journalism, photography, art and design, just like I am. We sincerely hope, this issue will help you recognize your undiscovered passions and inspire

you to join those, who percieve life as a huge opportunity.

LETTER from the EDITOR

Darya TARISHKINAFOCUS: SHSS Magazine Editor-in-Chief

Akzhan RYMZHANOV

Chief DesignerSHSS JuniorMajor Economics

Alexey GOLUBINSKIY

DesignerSeng JuniorMajor Electrical Engineering

Yekaterina PAK

Photographer SHSS Junior

Major Economics

Gulnur DUISEKEYEVA

PhotographerSHSS SophomoreMajor Economics

FOCUSTEAM

........

........5

Assel ZHAMBEKOVA

Dilyana GAFAROVA

Ainur JYEKYEI

Shamsiya MUKHAMEJAN

Aisulu TUSTYKBAYEVA

Anel RAKHIMZHANOVA

FOCUSTEAM

..................

FOCUS 6

Saltanat SULTANBAYEVA

Sholpan ARZHAN

Regina KASSENOVA

Salima VALIYEVA

Aidana KASSYMOVA

Nurzhamal SADIR

..................

FOCUSTEAM

SHSS Magazine7

Mwita ChachaBorn in Nairobi, Kenya and being the second child out of four, Professor Chacha is great at explaining International Relations, as well as keeping the class interested and engaged.

Undoubtedly, he is one of the best teachers and probably the most mysterious too, since he had never been noticed sharing his story. Continue reading for a portion of most exiting life

experiences and deep thoughts of Professor Mwita Chacha...

Word for WordFOCUSINTERVIEW

FOCUS 8

Childhood

Little Mwita Chacha was raised in a harmonious family of two teachers, growing with two sisters and a brother in his hometown Nairobi. Father Chacha Nyaigotti-Chacha, university teacher of linguistics, influenced Professor in his decision to get a PhD:

“I did not want to prove anyone, but it was an influence in my upbringingю If my father got a PhD then naturally I should also strive to get a PhD.

Professor has good relationships with his parents as well as siblings. Parents are perceived not just as someone who should be respected but also as close friends, as well as siblings: given little age difference and the notion of no hierarchy make this family truly friendly.

“Obviously we had a period of fighting as all children do, but we ended up with respect towards each other, we are able to keep in touch and to trust, to be friends with each other.

It is rare that the whole family could be together during holidays. Despite this fact,

close relationships between family members are embedded in their lifestyles. After 6th grade [of primary school], we were all in different places, the kids. You have been gone for a school term, which was about 3 months, and then you go home for a break. So from that early stage we were away from each other but also remained in contact.

Childhood dream and favorite subject:

Little boy’s dream was to become an astronaut, which then emerged into a great ambition of going to space during high school and revealed passion for physics. Physics seemed to be practical: force, mechanics, electricity, numbers, calculations were fun to deal with rather than biology, which Professor did not like.

“Physics can explain how the world works, although many might successfully argue that biology does the same thing, but for me biology was too boring.”

Later on interests switched from a dream of going to space to the sphere of politics.

“I don’t want to be a politician, but I want to understand how it works.

Professor did not experience any pressure from his parents when it came the choice of profession. When students come to him with such problem, he says:

“What is important is that it is your life, and your choice matters the most. You have to ask yourself a question whether you are doing it for yourself or somebody is pressuring you.

About teaching and policymaking:

Professor is very excited about teaching because shaping young minds” is very important for him. ‘People who teach also learn from his learners’. Having an experience of policymaking at his previous job, he still finds teaching more exciting and more important for him. Talking about drawbacks of policymaking, Professor mentions ineffectiveness of an implemented policy.

“Your idea might be really great, but it must be accepted by the decision makers. You have to work very hard to convince the decision makers who will fund

4 adjectives that describe your character and inner world: “I am patient BUT my patience has its limits. If I realize that someone abuses my patience, it is problematic. I appreciate humor very much but people, who took my class, know that I am serious. I am prudent, very prudent in terms of what I say, in terms of what I expect from

others, I believe that making fast decisions might have terrible consequences. It is important to ensure that things proceed in the right manner.”

FOCUSINTERVIEW

SHSS Magazine9

What is important is

that it is your life, and

your choice matters the

most

People, who teach, also learn from their learners

FOCUS 10

your project or who will

make the decision. Teaching is more straightforward. There are students, they ask questions, there are lectures and interaction, and then you are done. In policymaking there are these outsiders, who decide on your policy.

Students about professor:

Professor is many students’ favorite not only because of courses he teaches, but especially because of his charisma and behavior in class. On this matter, Professor Chacha quotes Professor James Nikopoulos: ‘Teaching is like a performance art.’ His teaching style: a mixture of being serious in what you do and being clear in what you are saying and what you are asking, in what directions you want students to think, and still being able to add some humor is effective in maintaining students attention.

Preferences:

Favorite political figure: Nelson Mandela.I find the sacrifices to get rid of this policy in South Africa that was not guaranteeing rights of Black South Africans and his commitment quite appealing. His commitment to ensuring that his mission was achieved: using all these peaceful means and then eventually using violence. He believed in what he was fighting for. Despite the pain he had experienced, he decided that the way forward is to forgive his oppressors. That is also a tough decision to make.”

Music: house

I listen to house because of the fusion of different beats and sometimes I do not want to hear people singing. Influenced by roommate in graduate school.” Favorite movie: Casablanca I like this movie because of its well written script, in terms of the storyline itself, the dialogue, also the end is not what you expect. I like many old movies but Casablanca is what I can watch for several times.”

Favorite stars Tina Fey is hilarious. She invests a lot in her characters, in character development.Idris Elba: He is able to play different characters, so in the Wire he plays this drug dealer, in other TV show he is the police officer, and recently he played Mandela. Lauren Bacall was very attractive

when she was young, and her voice just gets you, her voice is very distinct.

Favorite season: autumnWhen summer is about to end it feels nice, cooler, mark of end and something new to begin, enjoying that last moment of warmth.” What are characteristics that your best friends should possess? They should be reliable, trustworthy, spontaneous, funny, kind.”

What kind of people do you dislike? People, who are unreliable, people who are fakes. People, who do not communicate, people who are difficult to reach. It is difficult to exchange information with them. I do not like rude and disrespectful people.”

Countries already visited

Kenya and Tanzania (my mother’s home) are my home countries. The US is like another home, because I lived there for 10 years. It is great because it is a big country and it’s quite diverse in terms of the topography and cultures. I went to Germany and I find it interesting as a historical center of World War 2. When I went to Rwanda for three days, I went to genocide museum, which was quite depressing. The guide there narrates what was going on and you see the evidence: a box filled with scalps of people. I went to Greece on vacation

What is important is

that it is your life, and

your choice matters the

most

FOCUSINTERVIEW

SHSS Magazine11

Regina KASSENOVA

in 2006: it was fun trip and a pure vacation, obviously, today Greece is different place. Amsterdam is the city where I want to live. I have been to Sweden twice; I like Scandinavia, its way of life, the people there. I went to Costa Rica to teach for two month, we were in the rain forest, what I remember about it is just rain every day. I have been to Canada twice for conferences; I remember perfect weather of Toronto in autumn, highly diverse, great food and great people, not so big, manageable size of the city. I went to South Korea, I did not have a chance to go to the border with North Korea, but I want to do this next time. I went to Japan when I had an interview with NU; I was fascinated with the size of the city and the number of people in the subway. I often go to Turkey since I moved here, it is very comfortable, and it is very close, perfect.

What are people (any people from any period, real or unreal) that you would gather and have a dinner with them? What you would discuss with them?

The issue for me would be whether we are the only life forms in the entire universe. I think it is important issue whether you are a philosopher, or scientist or someone who is super religious. Buddha, Einstein, Mohammed, Jesus and Immanuel Kant. We would discuss whether we, human beings on Earth, are the only creatures, or can we also consider the possibility that somehow through different mechanisms there are other people or creatures out there. I think we cannot assume that we are the only who possess live.

FOCUSINTERVIEW

FOCUS 12

Economic LeadersSociety

Being economics students for three years and thus having experienced the education process of this field, the board” of the ELS, the founders and co-founders, is now able to recognize the major issues that our young economists face. First significant problem, according to the President of the club, Meruyert Kanzhigalina, is absence of answer to the question «What are we going to do in the future?» Bearing this in mind, ELS, along with the academic enrichment, has decided to develop theopportunities for professional future of our economists. To do

that, the team of ELS focuses on organizing diverse workshops, seminars, conferences, and lectures with successful people in the field. The first of such events was the lecture given by Yernar Zharkeshov on February 17, one of the 100 Future Leaders of Kazakhstan, the major purpose of which was to share the experience of a high-ranking professional with the students. As for the academic aspect, ELS is going to carry out the annual Economic Olympiad; the first one was held on February 25. These kinds of academic challenges do not only improve academic skills

of the students, but also help to establish connections between professors and students, which is crucial in every student’s experience. Economic Leaders Society is thus aimed to gather NU economists to help them develop as professionals, to motivate them, and to build a social platform for networking integration. The club undoubtedly has grandiose potential and promising plans for the future development.

Having had a vast dose of inspiration at the Business Forum in Almaty, three economics major students on the way to our city came up with the question: «Why not?»

Why not create the Economic Leaders Society at NU?

ELS Board: Meruyert Kanzhigalina, Guakhar Sopbekova, Dana Tillabay, Ayan Taurbayev, Ariza Bidollina, Gaukhar Nurmakhambetova, Nurbol Kenessov, Almas Sayanov, Yerkebulan Supygaliyev

Sholpan ARZHAN

Meruyert Kanzhigalina

Guakhar Sopbekova

Dana Tillabay

Gaukhar Nurmakhambetova

Nurbol Kenessov

Ayan Taurbayev

Ariza Bidollina

Yerkebulan Supygaliyev

FOCUSCLUB

SHSS Magazine13

A NEW WAY meet new SG president and appointed SG members

Nauryzbek Selbaiuly 3 year SEng President of SGin school used to sing in front of a large audience

FOCUSSUCCESS

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FOCUSSUCCESS

I’ve never wanted to be a president. Ex-president, Miras Mengdybayev came up with this initiative, because he believed that I can be a new head of SG.

Fame is not something I’m looking for as a president. If I did, I would have been more active in university’s social life before the elections.

During my first and second years in NU I’ve been working with difficult teenagers, those who had problems with law, school, and family but wanted to change their lives for better. Most of these children currently are attending in universities. All the obstacles they have faced on their way to achieve necessary conditions for the happy life now seem so trivial and distant. They have taught me to praise hardwork and ignore obstacles.

Last year as a member of previous SG, I used to work with dormitory issues. Our team wanted to introduce a system, in which elder students help younger ones with lessons, life in dormitory, and overall share their experience. I still think, we could in some way develop this brotherhood among our students.

In this year’s elections, everyone had the same opportunity to win. During the debates I didn’t ask my opponents destructive questions. Conversely, I tried to give all presidential aspirants a chance to desplay their best qualities. I believe they were also fare to me.

There have been several candidates to each vacancy in SG team. I believe in every member of our team because they are people whom I trust.

SG won’t be anymore an autonomous club, where 10-12 people solve some problems. We aspire to involve all students in the life and fate of our university. In other words, One university - One team.

Great changes are going to happen to SG. The next step in development of SG is establishing its jurisdictional legal status. With this modification SG will be able to defend students’ interests on an official level.

We will try do everything as previous SG did but much better.

SHSS Magazine15

SGteam

FOCUSSUCCESS

Photo credits to Ravkat Mukhtarov and NU Image

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FOCUSSUCCESS

Anel RAKHIMZHANOVA

9

10

Jamilya Abilzhanova 2 year SHSS

Minister of Mass MediaMission: provide students with

information about SG workdreams of opening her own restaurant

Satybaldy Yerbolat 3 year SST mathVice-president

Mission: develop good relationship between SG and students

loves videogames

Alinur Mirassov 3 year SST

Minister of SportMission: organize high level sport

events, popularize sport plays for NU football team

Bakdaulet Isakhov 3 year SEng

Minister of education and science Mission: make a collaboration between

academic committeeshas a fancy for kazakh poetry

Alikhan Karymsakov 1 year SST

Minister of Entertainment Mission: share experience in

organization of entertaining eventsfor 4 years classmates believed he had

a twin brother

Nigina Baimukhamedova 3 year SST

Minister of external affairsMission: satisfy students with different

initiatives loves 3 types of people: people from Kostanay, members of AIESEC, and

grease monkeys(технари)

Manas Nurbayev 2 year SHSS

Minister of dormitory issuesMission: establish relationship between

students and dormitory managersloves to cook

Akniyet Dinislam 1 year SST

Minister of Culture Mission: enhance moral values wanted

to be a member of SG even before admission to NU

Nurseit Kurmantayev 2 year SEng

Vice-president of internal affairsMission: regularize work of all student

clubs for their further developmentCMS in tennis, swimming, judo, chess

Dauren Leskhan 2 year SEng

General vice-presidentMission: unite and improve NU

community changed his major from economics when President said country needs

engineers

Raykhan Khassenova 1 year SST

Secretary of SGMission: keeps the minutes of SG work interested in competitive programming

Assan Ospanov1 year SST

Minister of student developmentMission: contribute to student life

improvement mathematician who always dreamed to

be a film director

SGteam

SHSS Magazine17

Love Story

Zhamila Zhakup and Yerbol Kuldeyev are SHSS juniors and a sweet couple, who recently won NU Best Couple Contest, organized by SHSS Student

Council. When we interviewed them in a cozy coffee shop on a cold February morning, we could not possibly feel warmer. We hope you share our

excitement about these lovely people and their love story!

FOCUS

Love is… ?Zhami: mutual understanding

Yerbol: the joy of being together every minute of our lives

How did you get to know each other?

Zhami: We do not remember (laughing). It was our foundation year, everybody was meeting everybody for the first time. As it later turned out, his roommate was my relative, so we got to know each other better. I though he was a great guy, so I decided to bring them together with my roommate. And then they dated for about a year! (laughing)

Yerbol: Yeah, we went out for a year, before she was evicted.

Zhami: For a year that they have been dating, Yerbol was our frequent guest.

Looks like you did not know you want to be together right away.

Zhami: For about two years, we have been thinking about whether it is worth it. We did not want to ruin our valuable friendship. Then

we took a chance, and it turned out that friendship is a perfect foundation for love relationship.

Is it hard to combine studying, social life and a relationship? Do you have to sacrifice something? Zhami: No! We can manage it all! Mainly because most social projects we are involved at we do together and sometimes take same courses and help each other out. In a legitimate way, of course!

Do you have an activity you prefer to do together?

Zhami: Yerbol loves swimming, and I try to support him. Although, I cannot swim, we go swimming together. While Yerbol swims across the pool, I stick to the side of the pool.

Yerbol: We hang out together too, because we share friends.

Guys, you go to the same

university, you both belong to SHSS, you live in one dormitory and you share friends. Do you ever get tired of each other?

Zhami: The entire time we have been together, we had to part for just four days. It seems like we do not get tired. It is exclusively because we are great friends!

Yerbol: And a couple, too! (laughing)

What are the roles of man and woman in a relationship?

Zhami: Woman sets the tone of a relationship, supports a man in all his strivings. Woman is a source of inspiration for her man. Many successful men owe their success to their women. It is important to support, to inspire, to assist. A man has to secure a woman, protect her and assist where she is weak. Certainly, a man leads a relationship.

Yerbol: I agree with Zhamila on most points. She often

FOCUSLOVESTORY

SHSS Magazine19

assists me. Our first joint business was completely analyzed and planned by Zhami, although we were friends back then. As a proverb states: Man is the head of the family; woman is the neck that turns the head. Woman is an invisible hand: guiding, giving, caressing. A man in his turn is supposed to be grateful and always be there for her.

Recently, you won NU Best Couple Contest! Congratulations! Why, in your opinion, you deserved this victory above all others?

Zhami: I think the key to our victory were our physical proportions. We won the contest, where a guys were supposed to hold their girlfriend in the arms for as long as they could. Yerbol is strong, and I am quite miniature. Contest, where girls had to feed their boyfriends was literally a piece of cake for us! (laughing) I fed Yerbol large spoons of ice cream so quickly, and even added a waffle! Yerbol loves food! (laughing)

Yerbol. The contest, where we had to answer questions about each other was also very easy. We know every little detail about each other. Our relationship should have a new word for it: love + friendship is loveship? Friendlove?

Zhami: Yeah, we have been through so much together! He is the first person I call when I am in trouble, not even mom or dad. He understands me better than anyone does.

Name three positive qualities of your partner. Zhami: good natured, practical and logical.Yerbol: Honesty, savvy, kindness. Have you thought about your post-graduation plans?

Zhami: This is a tough question! Many of our friends are now getting married, which naturally pushes us towards certain thoughts. We are so young! Maybe we will wait for a year or two, and then get married?

Yerbol: Yes, and we will finally live together like a real family. I think the sooner you arrive at this thought about creating a family, the better. It provides certainty. Maybe I am just not one of those 30-year-old ladies men. Family provides a good foundation for development. How do you deal with conflicts?

Yerbol: We do have conflicts. Imagine an ordinary night at the dorm. We decide to order pizza, and cannot agree on what type to get - vegetarian or chicken. So, we argue (laughing). To be honest, we have never been in a real quarrel.

Zhami: Ideas about break-up visit us extremely rarely, and pass quickly. Our main way out of a conflict is dialogue. We discuss just about anything!

Our relationship should have a new word for it: love + friendship = loveship?

Friendlove?

Darya TARISHKINA

FOCUSLOVESTORY

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FOCUSLOVESTORY

Zhami:

Yerbol associates with...Taste: fresh bread with home-made

butterVision: Land Cruiser 200Touch: anti-stress soft toy

Hearing: a song Звезды в лужах”Smell: home, fresh home-made

bread

22FOCUS

FOCUSLOVESTORY

Yerbol:Zhamilya associates with...

Taste: warm milk with honeyVision: Porsche Panamera

Touch: silkHearing: forest sounds, nature

Smell: hot coffee

Can you think of five sensory associations your partner awakes in

you?

23 SHSS Magazine

FOCUS 24

We are starting a series on female leaders with Inkar Aitkuzhina and Madina Kabdualiyeva, who are two leading debaters of our university, and judging by their results, of our country. Inkar used to be a president of Nomad debate club and

Madina was its coordinator. This winter they participated in the World’s Universities Debate Championship. Keep reading for details of the event!

Interviewwith Inkar and Madina

SHSS Magazine25

So, girls, how did it all start?

In 2012 we have joined Nomad debate club. We both were interested in debates while at school, but because debating movement is not developed in schools, we did not have many opportunities to participate back then. So, here each of us decided to join university’s debate club, even though at that time it functioned only for two years and was much younger than other debate clubs in Astana. Eventually, we became part of the club’s administration, and now it has been three years since we have

started debating. Our members went to Slovenia two times, China, where they took all the prizes, and now to WUDC.

So, what was the event like?

It was 35th World Championship, started in 80s. 380 teams from 98 countries took part in the event, and there were only two teams to participate from Kazakhstan, unfortunately, a country, which almost nobody knew anything about. And also, our team was first to participate on behalf of NU. It is a student championship

with participants from all around the globe, so we could feel the scale of the event with whole set of different cultures and ethnicities. There were teams from Oxford,

Harvard, Yale and etc., and not only undergrads, but also Masters and PhD students. And we were, probably, the youngest, and oftentimes we had to compete with those,

who were 25 years old, and, naturally, more experienced than we are.

What is your best memory about the event?

It was New Years Eve, the whole day we were debating and were very tired and missing home. We had to go to that club-like place, where the administration was

to announce those, who made it to the semi-final. In our category, English as a Foreign Language, only 8 teams were allowed to proceed, and they already named six of those and we thought: “That’s it”, but then, when one of the best speakers in the world, named our team, Nazarbayev A, we were so happy we couldn’t help but

scream. Though, it was not as loud as Harvard’s team, for example, which consisted of 80 delegates, but we were perfectly happy. Then all sorts of people approached us because it was truly a surprise for everyone that an unknown team, which got in WUDC for the first time, could make it to semi-finals. As a comparison, from Russia

there were 12 teams, and three passed to semi-finals.

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FOCUS 26

When we talked to other students form other countries they often asked where NU and Kazakhstan were on the map. As we passed to semi-finals everybody began to grow aware of our county, and we were very proud that we could contribute to the image of Kazakhstan and that at least a group of students in the world now knows

about our country.

Based on the results of the elimination round, our team was higher in the table than one team from Harvard. So we basically beat a Harvard team! When we sent a report,

our university administration replied that beating Harvard was the best.

Wow, that is so amazing! I am so proud of you, girls! And what about sightseeing?

In 10 days that we spent in Kuala Lumpur, we had very little free time to explore the city. Usually, we got up at 5am and went to the university, where the event was taking

place, and returned to the hotel only at 11pm. But, when we had time, we went to different parts of the city

What was your impression of the city?

It is very different from what we had seen. Malaysia has its own unique culture and beautiful architecture. The buildings were of high-tech style and gave this impression

of a very futuristic city. In some ways, Kuala Lumpur resembles Astana with its skyscrapers made of glass. But it is so full of green plants and the air is humid, when

we first arrived it was difficult to breathe, but then we got used to it.

AisuluTUSTYKBAYEVA

SHSS Magazine27

FOCUSSUCCESS

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You are made of what it takes to succeed here. You are the best and brightest. You came to us and you trusted us. We had some rough years. We had some rough moments. But we’ve all succeeded. In a

way, this first graduation is a gift back to the President to say thank you and I am glad you accepted our invitation to be here.

You have the big responsibility to the President and to the university but being good ambassadors.

The first graduation ceremony is coming!

There are lots of rumors about the first NU graduation ceremony. Therefore, as a student

who will hopefully graduate this year, I was interested in finding reliable information about graduation ceremony. Rebecca Carter, head of Nazarbayev University registrar office, kindly agreed to tell me more about the ceremony.

Rebecca Carter

FOCUSNEWS

SHSS Magazine29

Dress code is more

or less formal. Girls are advised not to wear

massive jewelries and overly high heels, because the road

to your diploma will have some stairs. Since the ceremony will last for 4 or 5 hours,

be comfortable, be practical but be

stylish.

There will be

a meeting for graduating students in the

beginning of March

Student will rent the

robes for a certain fee about 5000 tenge that will go purely for cleaning them, not for

profit. Good news: you can keep the

scarf!

The main guest –

the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Nursultan Nazarbayev is definitely going to come to

congratulate the first bachelor’s and master’s degree program graduates with the successful completion of their studies! Also, there is a possibility that he might award the

best students their diplomas.

There will be a

reception for guests.

Two diplomas –

English language and standard Kazakh/Russian. With three transcripts in

each language. Students will also receive diploma supplement because “we are a Bologna” (in 2010 Kazakhstan signed up to the Bologna Accord) that will

be accepted throughout the European Union.

SaltanatSULTANBAYEVA

List of approved rumors

All undergraduate

students will be wearing black robes. All students

will be wearing bronze scarfs unless they are in the top 4% - top 1% (gpa above 3.9) and 3%

(gpa between 3.8-3.9, but varies by school) will be wearing gold and

blue scarfs, respectively; and there is only one student who might have a red scarf (GPA

4.0 student).

Students can design top of hats.

Ceremony will be on

campus. Certain place not approved yet,

but there are a couple of choices that are now in the process of approval.

But definitely inside a building!

Each student will

be given tickets for people whom they

would like to invite to the ceremony. Although the

number of invitations per person is expected to

be three, it is not guaranteed.

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ЗАГЛЯНИТЕ К ГЕНАЦВАЛЕ

ГРУЗИЯ

FOCUSTRAVEL

SHSS Magazine31

Вы когда-нибудь

задумывались о путеше-ствии в место, названием которо-

го не пестрит каждый туристический таблоид, в страну, не исхоженную вдоль и

поперек туристами и не описанную в много-численных путеводителях в таких мельчайших

деталях, что складывается впечатление, что там уже ничего не осталось для души - ничего тако-го, чего бы не было увидено, прочувствованно, попробовано и услышано тысячи раз до тебя? Да, такие места еще есть на земле! И, да, туда

летают самолеты, и ходят поезда (по до-статочно низким ценам, кстати). Речь

пойдет об одной из таких стран - солнечной Грузии. Почему

именно Грузия?

FOCUS 32

ФИНАНСЫ Начнем с финансовой стороны вопроса, кото-рая, виною нашего социального статуса ‘сту-дент’, является первостепенной для большин-ства из читателей. Погружение в состояние приятного шока начинается еще на родине, когда узнаешь, что отечественный авиапере-возчик Air Astana, оправдывающий свое назва-ние буквально заоблачными ценами, обещает доставить вас в старый добрый Тбилиси всего за 69.000тг рейсом Алматы-Тбилиси. Чудеса на этом не заканчиваются: уровень жизни в Грузии на порядок ниже, чем в Казахстане, и как результат, деньги заработанные на родине имеют в Грузии намного большую покупатель-ную способность. В результате мы получаем отдых, доступный для студента. Например, плотный ужин в ресторане на восьмерых обойдется примерно в 130 лари (12.000 тг.) К тому же, в городах на каждом шагу можно найти супермаркеты, а так же многочисленные колоритные базарчики, благоухающие свежим хлебом и пестрящие всеми видами фруктов, овощей, специй и сыров.

ЕДА

Возвращаясь к теме еды, официально могу заявить, что грузинская кухня это настоящее гастрономическое откровение. Названия блюд имеют характерное отрывистое звучание, буд-то удары горских кинжалов: Сациви, Хинкали, Хачапури, Чахохбили. Тем не менее, за этими наводящими страх названиями скрывается просто неописуемая гамма вкусов: это и тя-гучий сыр в сочетании со свежеиспеченными лепешками, и огромное множество специй, придающих блюдам восточную насыщенность, и ароматный ореховый соус, добавляющийся практически во всю еду, и искусно приготов-ленное мясо. Все эти яства подаются толь-ко из печи на глиняных самодельных кецах, источая блаженный аромат. Вспомнив пого-ворку: «Люди это то, что они едят» сложно представить грузин другими.

ЛЮДИЛюди в этой стране прямое отражение бога-

той природы, мягкого солнца и восхититель-ной еды: открытые, эмоциональные, яркие. Кстати, по гостеприимности грузины могли бы составить серьезную конкуренцию казахам. Это люди широкой души и доброго сердца, о чем свидетельствует их образ жизни. Они очень много поют трогательные песни силь-ными голосами, танцуют кавказские танцы: изящные и экспрессивные. Только в Грузии, сидя в маленьком семейном ресторанчике за горячим хачапури и домашним вином, можно стать случайным слушателем национальных песен, исполняемых веселой компанией за соседним столом.

ЧТО ПОСМОТРЕТЬ? В Грузии много что можно и нужно посмо-треть. В историю страны нужно окунуться в старом Тбилиси. Побродив по соборам, церк-вям, серным баням и крепости, познакомить-ся с историей древних Колхиды и Иберии, с жизнью Грузинских князей, их войнами и празднествами, увидеть город Руставели и Чавчавадзе. Обязательно нужно полюбовать-ся уникальной природой, воспетой Пушкиным, Лермонтовым и Паустовским: посмотреть, как сливаются Арагва и Кура; арендовав маши-ну, проехать по Колхидской низменности по следам аргонавтов; полюбоваться на залитые южным солнцем долины Кахетии, давшие название знаменитым винам; и увидеть та-инственные горы Кавказа, тонущие в серой дымке.

А ЕЩЕ! А за молодежным отдыхом стоит поехать на запад страны, к побережью Черного моря, в Батуми. Этот южный, энергичный и молодой город можно назвать Грузинской Европой. Здесь можно погулять по маленьким моще-ным улочкам под растущими над головой магнолиями, полюбоваться на ни на что не по-хожую архитектуру, поплавать в Черном море, потанцевать в клубе под открытым небом, посидеть за грузинским кофе в миниатюрном летнике и наконец, купив сувениров в лавочке за углом, вернуться домой с теплыми воспо-минаниями о чудесной Грузии.

Salima VALIYEVA

FOCUSTRAVEL

SHSS Magazine33

Цены:

• перелет Алматы-Тбилиси 69.000 тг• квартира на сутки (3 комнаты) в цен-

тре Тбилиси 60-80$ • аренда машины на неделю 50$

•ужин на человека <10$

NurzhamalSADIR

FOCUS 34

Center for Preparatory Studies managed by University College London is the place where most of NU students made their first steps into the new independent life, where they made life-changing decisions, and where they have grown older as students and as individuals, and are now reminiscing about their Golden Age at NU. It was a time of studying hard and partying hard, too!

Anything comes to an end though: Nazarbayev University’s contract with UCL (London’s Global University) has timed out. However, this does not mean the end to the Foundation program as such. Next year Nazarbayev University will continue to offer its CPS Foundation Program, but with some dramatic structural changes!

The ex-Head of CPS and General Director of NUFYP (Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program), Lesley Price, explained some differences that we must expect in the next year. The University of Warwick, which is going to be a new partner of NU’s CPS program, will not be responsible for exams processing. Previously,

the formal assessments delivered by UCL CLIE in London had to be administered at the CPS in Astana simultaneously to ensure that the two centers were delivering the same assessment for comparability. Such precision was necessary because NU Foundation students received the original UCL Certificate. The NUFYP will be an NU program and so the assessments will take place in liaison with the Office of the Registrar during the normal NU exam period.

Other information about new Foundation Program is not accessible as it is early to predict exactly the plan of new Foundation Program officials. What is more exciting is that NU can offer UCL employees working at CPS to continue their work at NU by extending the contract. Coordinator of EAP (English for Academic Purposes), Denise Callahan, says that involvement of Kazakh teachers is a possibility that can improve education and ensure greater students involvement in conversations and debates. The future of CPS is still a mystery, but we expect positive changes!

The life

after UCL:

Whatwe

expectthe next

year?

FOCUSNEWS

FOCUS presents THE VERY FIRST SHSS COMICS

COMING SOON IN THE NEXT ISSUE

FOCUS 36

Harry Potter Night

One ordinary day an ordinary student with ordinary worries and problems has accidentally

entered the room number 5.103 on the 6th February 2015 and this changed his entire life because he saw that magic exists not only

in fairytales and movies, but in real life, too! For that particular night the library room

became The Hogwarts Great Hall packed with Hogwarts House emblems on the walls, candle lights, portraits of famous wizards, “Have you seen this wizard” posters, and most important, with students dressed in Slytherin, Gryffindor,

Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw gowns!

The room was full of different Harry Potter fans: old and young, short and tall! And everybody was reminiscing about their first journey to the magical world of wizardry and witchcraft that was gifted to them by the incredible writer J.K. Rowling. Every fan:s story about their first Harry Potter movie or book was truly interesting and luckily, SHSS Professor Alexander Morrison shared his Harry Potter experience with FOCUS:

FOCUSNEWS

Sholpan ARZHAN

Photo credits to Ravkat Mukhtarov and NU Image SHSS Magazine37

Harry Potter NightMe: Where did you get this costume from:P:r: This isn:t a costume: this is my academic gown from Oxford.Me: Wow, it looks like a Harry Potter uniform from the movies.P:r: I think they based the academic dress on universities in UK.Me: What do you expect from the event:P:r: To be perfectly honest, I:m not entirely sure… not Quidditch, I suspect : there:s not enough room in here :chuckles:.

Then, Professor Morrison proceeded to the stage and welcomed everybody with a familiar to all the Potterheads speech,

just like Professor Albus Dumbledore, to which the audience responded with a storm of applause! Organizers worked very hard to recreate the annual ritual of greeting at Hogwarts. The air was filled with magic and excitement as there came the Sorting Hat and all the “witches” and “wizards” were

appropriated to their houses! The guests were additionally suggested some food, but muggle food, unfortunately.

The most entertaining part started when the Harry Potter contest has begun. During the contest everybody showed

eagerness and intelligence by answering to the most cunning and unique questions! Such event has for sure diversified the

ordinary routine of all people gathered there. And remember, as the greatest of all wizards said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the

light”.

Динара Ибраева,

Бермет Керимкызы и Айжан

Мейрбекова - три сказочные

феи, разнообразящие гардеробы

девушек Астаны джинсовками, свит-

шотами и текстильными сумками с ри-

сунками в стиле поп-арт, выполненными

вручную. Начавшись как хобби, а позже

превратившись в бренд, ‘Prizm Store

стремительно набирает популярность,

поэтому FOCUS решил узнать, в

чем скрыта магическая притяга-

тельность этих вещей!

Models: Madina ISABAYEVA Ainur KUANDYKOVA

38FOCUS

PRIZM STOREРасскажите о Prizm Store. Как вы поняли, что хотите начать свое дело?

Динара: Мы с Бермет задума-лись об этом около года назад. Во время экзаменов так не-обходима отдушина, какое-то приятное дело, которое помог-ло бы на пару часов отвлечься. Вскоре мы закупили первую партию одежды, краски и про-сто начали рисовать. Первый блин, как говорится, комом. Первые вещи были hand-made в самом прямом смысле слова (смеется). Но как ни странно, на них скоро нашлись покупа-тели. Со временем мы стали опытнее и теперь рисунки на наших вещах не отличить от фабричного принта. Сейчас мы уже выставляемся в Stylique concept centre в шоуруме TheTwelve12 наряду с разными отечественными дизайнера-ми. Основатель этого центра, Зарина Акшулакова, сама заказала у нас свитшот, когда

мы только делали свои первые вещи, и потом предложила выставляться у нее. Ваше решение создать свой бренд было продиктовано эко-номической необходимостью?

Динара: Нет. Мы просто хотели делать что-то красивое, что-то приносящее радость. Наша главная цель - делать облада-тельниц наших вещей чуточку счастливее, и мы очень рады, когда нам это удается. Эта работа очень кропотливая, на роспись одной вещи уходит от 4 часов. Мы все делаем вруч-ную, поэтому пока мы не зара-батываем очень много. Но нам нравится то, что мы делаем.

Вы когда-нибудь получали про-фессиональное художествен-ное образование?

Динара: Нет, но рисую я всю свою жизнь, сколько себя помню. А вот Айжан сейчас

проходит курсы изобразитель-ного искусства.

Айжан: Это правда. Мне очень нравится то, чему нас там учат. Нам дают основы, которые просто необходимы начинаю-щим художникам. Что вы посоветуете молодым людям, которые хотят начать свое дело?

Динара: Самое главное - не бояться начать. У нас не было ни опыта, ни значительного стартового капитала. Но было огромное желание – жела-ние творить, быть полезными людям, приносить радость. Важно помнить, что успешный бизнес - это прежде всего тот, первостепенной задачей кото-рого является удовлетворение нужд потребителя, а доход - это только приятный побочный эффект вашего любимого дела.

Darya TARISHKINA

FOCUSSUCCESS

SHSS Magazine39

FOCUSINTERVIEW

FOCUS 40

Barbara Junisbai

Word for Word

Barbara Junisbai is a professor in SHSS and a political science scholar, who studies comparative political institutions, hybrid regimes, authoritarianism, and democratization, with a regional focus on post-Soviet Eurasia. Her unique life experience and personality, her passion about her profession and love towards her family, her unusual name and beautiful smile made

FOCUS want to know more about Barbara.

FOCUSINTERVIEW

SHSS Magazine41

Things that make me happy are small and simple things; every day I try to appreciate something. I like talking to my kids on skype, because I miss them; things that look beautiful, if it is cold outside and it starts snowing, that makes me happy. If I could go back to history, I would like to meet Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and Leonardo Da Vinci. The person influenced me the most is my mom. I grew up just with my mom and all the things I value in my life like hard work, family, doing your best, even if you do not feel like it, even if you feel tired, I learned from my mom. To never give up. To always try, to keep trying. To stay positive, to focus on positive things. If you start thinking you cannot do something, then you cannot do it. Positive energy is important.The biggest risk I took in my life is marrying my husband (laughs), and moving to Kazakhstan. I did not know where Kazakhstan is, I did not know anything about it. And having a baby, too. I had to learn how to see the world in a totally different way, how to interact with people in a totally different way and that’s what probably changed my life the most. I love Kazakhstan, and because this is where my husband is from, I wanted my kids to be able to be close to my husband’s family. For example, my mom is from China, and I want my kids to know that they relate to these cultures. Certainly, I was excited to come

and teach at a new university. What I love

most about my job is my students, the research that I

get to do and my colleagues. The best decision I made was

having a family. It is an eye-opening experience for me, so I feel like I have a lot of warmth and I have a lot of love and even when something might not go right at work and my research is not going right, I know that I have that unconditional love with my family and that just keeps me going. Wish everyone knew about me that I really love to cook! I make cakes and cookies. I love to make ‘manti’ (laugh); I learned it from my mother-in-law. I do not get embarrassed easily. I hate to slip on the ice, that is embarrassing, but people are usually nice and they help me get up. Doing things in public that involve falling down is really embarrassing. The best advice I ever got as a student is to talk to professors. If you feel like you are not doing really well in class, do not be afraid to ask your professor’s advice. If you are interested in something about the subject your professor is interested in, talk to them, because professors love when their students are interested. Developing relationships with professors is helpful to students’ future because professors can write recommendations. Students should always proactively seek out professors and ask questions. Professors really like that. I am still actually friends with my professors.

Ainur JYEKYEI

# nu_insta

The place where you can find a whole collection of beautiful photos of our university is NU_INSTA - Instagram profile created and operated by Aliya

Matayeva and Aigerim AnabiyevaFOCUS 42

Initially, I was afraid of being rejected by students. I shared my idea with Aliya and we

decided to run this account together. It was difficult to keep our identities

concealed: walking by the atrium I see familiar faces, I know what they did

yesterday – and it felt like I was carrying a burden of mystery.

In order to be an admin of @nu_insta it is important to be in-trend and up-to-date with

recent events and jokes of the university. It was crucial for me to go through the whole photo stream, because @nu_insta is like a

Big Brother, who always supports you. The difficult thing was that I often forgot to switch

from my personal account to NU account.

The main reason why we decided to declare out identities was a contest among our followers that we wanted to make. We didn’t know how and where to put a prize.In the beginning we asked all our followers to put hashtags, we even posted a list of our hashtags, but now most of students put them by themselves and it has become easier for us. And for out followers , too! About 99% of @nu_insta is done by Aigerim. Aigerim has a talent of creativity to write funny and appropriate quotes to any photo.

Aigerim Aliya

Interesting Facts• Account was established on April 26th, 2013

before the final exam of Aigerim. The idea came when one of the Instagram profiles (connected to NU) put a picture without mentioning the author

• In the beginning Aigerim wanted to name it @insta_nu like popular account @insta_kz, but it was already taken

• Only 4 people knew who are admins of @nu_insta – Aigerim, Aliya, and two of their friends

• Aigerim and Aliya showed that they are admins of @nu_insta just after 1-year anniversary

• Next admins will be selected by a competition and then selected students will manage NU account for trial week or month

• The most memorable day - @insta_kz reposted and wrote about NU account. But last year it was recognized that actually 1-year NU student, Adiya, made it while administering @insta_kz account

• Another memorable moment – making a video for 1-year anniversary. It was done by huge installation and tons of paintings

• Neither Department of Student Affairs nor Department of Marketing and Communications intervened in the work of @nu_insta

• Galym Baitimbetov and Fariddin Shabanbayev are the most active followers of @nu_insta who post cool photos and videos about our university

Aidana KASSYMOVA

FOCUSSUCCESS

SHSS Magazine43

One hundred artsKanat Nurtazin – an unusual self-taught artist and SHSS employee, is rapidly gaining popularity on Instagram thanks to his hobby. Kanat shared ideas about the “100 ways of drawing” project and his plans

for the future with FOCUS. Follow Kanat Nurtazin @kanat_n on Instagram to see more of his works!

FOCUS 44

Kanat, what did your hobby begin with?I didn’t like drawing at school. However, I liked experimenting with different materials. In college, when I had to write papers, drawing became my personal way of procrastination. I began to take art seriously only after graduation. My first work was a cut out image of our planet and Kazakh flag out of tree leaves.

Usually, artists prefer to use paint. Why did choose such unusual technique instead?I did not want to stick to one specific way of depiction, thus I started my project “100 ways of drawing”. Now, I have already come up with 25 methods.

Are you planning to publish your project? Or will you stick to Instagram for now?Yes, just Instagram for now. This is an individual project, but in the future, I am planning to establish my own art-studio.

It seems like you have already considered making art your profession, haven’t you? Now I am taking orders and building a clientele, but continue working in SHSS. We will see far this business goes.

Who or what does inspire you? Do you have a favorite artist?I definitely do not have favorite artists. Interesting things in life inspire me and make me come up with new ideas.

As far as I know, you are currently working on a fashion project. Please, tell us about it.It is not about fashion; I simply wanted to show beauty of Kazakh folk dress.

Why did you choose to use Instagram as a platform for your art? I do not know exactly, I posted some of my works to share them with friends, and then even

strangers began to follow my account. It helped me to find clients.

Could you tell us about your orders? Do you draw portraits?Firstly, I inform my clients that I don’t use paint or pencils. I create unusual projects, for example, a chocolate portrait. Nevertheless, now I am collaborating with an artist, who draws pictures, which I then execute in unusual techniques like quilling. Many good artists draw using pencils or paint, but I wanted to find an innovative technique, which would make my works outstanding.

Do you have any ideas about new extraordinary way of drawing?Yes, I want to make a portrait using buttons and beads in order to get a three-dimensional picture. Usually, I come up with ideas when I see things, which are not in their right place. This is how I came up with an art from “Up” cartoon. Colorful pins that were casually scattered at my office table turned out to be balloons. Generally, there are many ideas. Now I want to create a picture on the wall.

Do you mean graffiti? No, I want to hollow it out on a wall, out of construction plaster. It will create an effect of a ragged wall, but on closer inspection, one will see an image. Unfortunately, I have not found a proper wall yet.

We will be waiting to see your new piece of art! Would you like to give a piece of advice to our students? I would like them to have more perseverance and diligence. Always finish your projects! Do not hesitate to try something new. Not all my ideas turned out to be successful works of art, but I never give up; I find new ideas and in the end always get what I want.

@kanat_n

ShamsiyaMUKHAMEJAN

FOCUSSUCCESS

SHSS Magazine45

FOCUSCLUB

FOCUS 46

NUTHEATREAND DRAMA CLUB

NU student community offers a wide variety of student clubs according to interests and hobbies: some of them a more active than others. NU Theatre and Drama Club is unique exception. Members of the club work hard to deliver their performances regularly, and to make sure that those deserve the attention of a spoilt NU spectator. Having visited their

rehearsals and performance nights, I could not believe that these gifted performers are regular NU students. These young people “live on the scene”, not just play. Drama Club is probably the most diversified group in NU in terms of interests, backgrounds, ages, performing styles

and world views, yet these people are united by their passion for performance art.

SHSS Magazine47

The history of the club begins with the subject taught by Professor David Hammerbeck, which united the pioneers of Drama Club in then new university, and who until this day comprise the skeleton of the club. Even though club grows proportionately with the university, old members remain loyal to performing. Yet, the levers of power had recently shifted: Galiya Khassenkhanova replaced Valentina Vinokurova, the initial club leader. Talking about key to Drama Club’s success, members of the club are hardworking people, and they totally devote themselves to what they do. I think their success depends on their devotion and self-sacrifice: they do not just play; they live through their roles. Tender and kind people can play murderers, bitches and even psychopaths. The incredible transformation leaves you with an open mouth throughout the performance! Yet, drama club members are too modest to admit their professionalism.

Among the problems that the club faces is schedule creation: being NU student involves a lot of studying. Yet, Dramers (as they like to refer to themselves) still find time to meet and rehearse, and finally total synergism is seen everywhere in their work. Of course, some backdoor actions and disputes about the roles and priorities happen, since, according to Professor Hammerbeck, it is a common situation in any theatre. In general, students are rewarded for their hard work by the loud applause of excited spectators.

Galiya Khassenkhanova, club’s leader

Assel Almuratova and Almaskhan Baimyshev

Regina KASSENOVA

Drama Club is not only about performance: it is like real theatre about playwriting, directing and technical theater. Students write plays and direct them, like Assel Almuratova and Almaskhan Baimyshev did in their February’15 performance. Undoubtedly, the teacher and expert of Drama club is inimitable David Hammerbeck. His wise guidance provides total freedom of creative vision, yet helps those, who are struggling with their role. Nevertheless, Hammerbeck emphasizes that the role of director is the most important in the process and insists on directors’ autonomy.

After all, theatre is about the emotions spectators receive. NU Drama Club is a place,

where positive energy, humor, wisdom, laughter, love, passion and friendship join to create a single performance that is worth watching.

FOCUSCULTURE

The new Russian movie, this year’s nominee for Oscar – ‘Leviathan’ is a heart-touching story of a common Russian citizen and, I would argue a must-watch film for any SHSS, and especially PS/IR student. The film draws an analogy between mysterious and terrible Biblical monster Leviathan and the state. Thus, Leviathan – like state, illustrated by Hobbes as necessary from philosophical perspective here is shown from the individual’s viewpoint.

We can see how the almighty Leviathan instead of granting protection and peace can turn someone’s life into a tragedy; how an ordinary person like each one of us can be helpless and weak when opposed to the institution of state. In addition, movie scenes reflect the reality of Russian everyday life in a very genuine manner, which makes this film look sincere and touching.

IMDb: 7.5 Director: Andrey Zvyagintsev

Writers: Oleg Negin, Andrey ZvyagintsevStars: Aleksey Serebryakov, Elena Lyadova, Roman Madyanov

Reading recommendations from professorsJames Nikopoulos: “I would recommend students read the first volume of Marcel Proust’s ‘In Search of Lost Time’, titled Swann’s Way. I’m recommending it even though to do so is a bit cliched, even though the first time I sat down with it I got so annoyed at the spoiled narrator that I almost threw the book across the room. But then I went back to it. And I continue returning to it whenever I’m in search of some idiot who, like me, needs to be reminded that devotion always comes at a cost (because the price is never negotiable). And the best part about the book? It’s in our library! ”

David Hammerbeck: “‘The Mahabharata’ by Vyasa, the great Hindu epic about the war between two related families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Befitting the word epic, it’s a long and sprawling story, which at the center of it lies the portion of the book known as the Bhagavad Gita, one of the central stories of Hinduism. The Mahabharata contains timeless ideas pertaining to karma and duty, and philosophical ponderings that prefigure almost all of modern philosophy’s central questions. But the entire book is ten times the length of the Bible, so I would suggest just reading the first six or seven books in an abridged version, like John D. Smith’s Penguin edition.”

Dilyana GAFAROVA

FOCUS 48

FOCUSCULTURE

Usually this time of the year is a climactic period for most students of our university full of ‘exciting’ events such as midterm exams and due assignments. Fortunately, we are not here to talk about all that rubbish…oh, i meant rush that our students know first-hand. One of the major events that deserves paying attention to is Annual Film Festival that was especially prominent this year. Twelve short films participated in the Film Fest that took place outside of campus in the National Art Gallery. The theme of the Festival was ‘Youth Social Problems’ that aimed at shedding light on issues that young people face in contemporary community. Short films films were assessed by the jury – professionals of media industry - in several categories, such as the best actor, actress, scenario, operator, montage and best social short film.

One of things that I personally found most striking was the affluence of high-quality short films with deep social message, though sometimes the audience was left puzzled about what the message was. Some of the films were very light and funny, others more depressing, but still thought-provoking. The films raised the following kinds of issues: complexity of family relations, indifference to the others’ problems, sexual discrimination in labor market and video-game addiction.

Remarkably, although students-producers lacked fancy technical equipment, the quality of short films was quite impressive. Some of the participants have already established themselves in our NU community as accountable directors and camera operators, and the high quality of their movies was an expectation, rather than a surprise. Galym Zhumabekov and Argyn Nurtazin presented impressive works that displayed their mastery in filming and directing. However, some of the newcomers demonstrated outstanding filmmaking skills in this film contest and challenged the authority of their older and more experienced counterparts.

The star of the evening was the film “Live” (“Живи”) by Almas Aubakirov which deservingly received both the «Best Social Short Film» award as well as «People’s Choice» award - a separate category, where the award is granted by the general audience. The Annual Film Fest is not only an exciting event of NU life, but is also a perfect chance for our students to prove that NU community contains quite versatile and creative personalities.

Almaz Aubakirov and Yerlik Agzhanov at Annual Student Film Festival Photo by NU-Image

Assel ZHAMBEKOVA

Poster by Ayan Zhansultanov

SHSS Magazine49

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FOCUS 50FOCUS: SHSS MAGAZINE

On cover: Alen ASKAR

Cover by: Aidana SHERYAZDANOVA