The Department of Social Sciences, Humanities and World Languages is an academic and research unit of the International Engineering and Technological University. It delivers courses in the social sciences, humanities, languages and general education at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels.
The Department helps students develop a coherent scientific understanding of the world, civic responsibility, academic culture, critical thinking, and language and communication skills. Particular emphasis is placed on integrating knowledge of the social sciences and humanities into the engineering, technological, economic and management education of future professionals.
The Department undertakes teaching, curriculum development, research, organisational work, student development and cultural outreach in accordance with its approved annual work plan.
Academic Staff
The Department’s academic staff includes 1 Professor and 11 Associate Professors. Its faculty members include 2 PhD holders and 12 master’s degree holders. The Department brings together specialists in history, philosophy, cultural studies, political science, sociology, education, psychology, philology, language education and physical education. Faculty members contribute actively to the University’s teaching, research, curriculum development, student development and community activities. They develop learning materials and digital resources, introduce contemporary teaching methods and pursue continuing professional development.
Key Areas of Activity
The Department’s work encompasses:
• providing teaching and learning support for the educational process;
• developing and updating course syllabi, curricula and teaching materials;
• introducing contemporary teaching methods and digital technologies;
• organising independent study and student research;
• developing massive open online courses and digital learning resources;
• supporting faculty research and scholarly publication;
• advancing student research and academic writing;
• coordinating international and interuniversity cooperation;
• supporting the professional development of academic staff;
• providing student development activities, group mentoring and cultural outreach;
• conducting outreach to prospective students and providing career guidance;
• communicating the Department’s activities and strengthening its public profile.
Courses Offered
The Department delivers courses in the social sciences, humanities, languages and general education at all levels of study.
Undergraduate level
• History of Kazakhstan;
• Philosophy;
• Cultural Studies;
• Political Science;
• Sociology;
• Psychology;
• Kazakh Language;
• Russian Language;
• Foreign Language;
• Professionally Oriented Foreign Language;
• Physical Education.
Master’s level
• History and Philosophy of Science;
• Foreign Language for Professional Purposes;
• Higher Education Pedagogy;
• Management Psychology.
Doctoral level
• Academic Writing.
The courses develop analytical and critical thinking, academic and language proficiency, professional communication, intercultural competence, research skills and the responsible use of contemporary digital technologies.
Teaching and Curriculum Development
Faculty members regularly update course syllabi, teaching and learning resource packages, lecture materials, independent study assignments, assessment materials and digital learning resources.
Teaching and learning approaches include:
• problem-based and project-based learning;
• case studies;
• discussions and debates;
• individual, pair and group work;
• research and creative assignments;
• interactive language learning methods and technologies;
• digital learning platforms;
• approaches to developing academic writing and public speaking skills;
• artificial intelligence tools used in accordance with the principles of academic integrity.
The Department develops massive open online courses (MOOCs), video lectures, digital learning materials and practice-oriented assignments.
Research
The Department conducts research in the following areas:
• the history of Kazakhstan and world history;
• philosophy and the methodology of scientific inquiry;
• cultural studies and national cultural heritage;
• political and social processes in contemporary society;
• higher education pedagogy and psychology;
• philology, linguistics and intercultural communication;
• contemporary educational and digital technologies;
• contemporary global challenges.
The Department hosts an annual international conference on research and practice. It also organises research seminars, roundtable discussions, guest lectures, masterclasses and teaching development events. Faculty members participate in national and international conferences, carry out research projects, publish their findings and prepare textbooks, study guides and teaching materials. Research priorities include increasing faculty publication activity, preparing articles for national and international scholarly journals, participating in competitive research grant calls and expanding international research cooperation.
Student Research
Students from all of the University’s degree programmes are encouraged to participate in the Department’s research activities. They take part in academic conferences, subject olympiads, competitions, roundtable discussions, knowledge-based games and research projects, deliver presentations and prepare scholarly publications.
The Department helps students develop skills in:
• finding and critically analysing scholarly information;
• working with historical, scientific and literary sources;
• academic writing;
• developing research projects;
• public speaking;
• presenting and defending a reasoned position;
• observing the principles of academic integrity.
Language Education
Developing language and communication skills is one of the Department’s priorities.
Its curricular and extracurricular activities include language weeks, open classes, conversation sessions, debates, knowledge-based games, competitions, film screenings, themed meetings and creative projects in Kazakh, Russian and English. Foreign language teaching is practice-oriented and develops professional communication, academic writing, spoken and written language skills, presentation skills and intercultural interaction. Particular attention is given to professionally oriented foreign language teaching for undergraduates, foreign language teaching for professional purposes for master’s students, and academic writing for doctoral students.
Student Clubs and Academic Associations
The Department hosts the following clubs and associations:
• Speaking Club;
• Academic Writing Club;
• «Сөз құдіреті» Club;
• «Өлкетану» Local History Club;
• «Атамекен» Club;
• «Сократтың балалары» Philosophy and Discussion Club;
• Public Speaking Club.
Club activities develop students’ language proficiency, academic writing, public speaking, research abilities, critical thinking, creative initiative, leadership and civic engagement. Activities take the form of discussions, debates, training sessions, knowledge-based games, creative meetings, research projects and public presentations.
Student Development and Group Mentoring
The Department’s student development activities promote patriotism, civic responsibility, respect for the law, academic integrity, ethical values and appreciation of Kazakhstan’s historical and cultural heritage.
Faculty members organise group mentoring sessions, cultural and educational events, excursions, themed meetings, essay and poster competitions, charity initiatives and volunteering activities.
Particular attention is given to:
• helping students adjust to university life;
• maintaining academic discipline;
• encouraging a responsible approach to learning;
• preventing misconduct and harmful habits;
• preventing online fraud and students’ involvement in money mule schemes;
• developing legal, financial and digital literacy;
• promoting respectful interethnic and interfaith communication;
• involving students in the University’s research, cultural, sporting and community activities.
The «Әділетті Қазақстан – Адал Азамат» Centre
The Department hosts the «Әділетті Қазақстан – Адал Азамат» Centre (Just Kazakhstan – Responsible Citizen). The Centre promotes honesty, fairness, responsibility, diligence, respect for the law, patriotism and service to society among students. Its activities include roundtable discussions, debates, educational meetings, and social and civic projects addressing academic integrity, legal awareness, national values, the prevention of corruption and responsible citizenship.
International and Interuniversity Cooperation
The Department develops research, educational and teaching cooperation with educational and research institutions in Kazakhstan and abroad.
Key areas of cooperation include:
• organising joint conferences, seminars and roundtable discussions;
• arranging guest lectures and masterclasses;
• involving faculty members and students in research projects;
• sharing teaching materials, methods and pedagogical experience;
• developing academic mobility;
• implementing joint cultural and educational activities.
The Department cooperates with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and other higher education and research institutions.
The Department’s principal aim is to ensure high-quality teaching in the social sciences, humanities and languages, advance research, and develop students’ civic responsibility, academic culture, critical thinking, and language, communication and digital competencies.
Mission
The Department’s mission is to provide the humanities, language and cultural foundations that support the professional education of future engineers, technologists, economists and managers. It contributes to the development of knowledgeable, responsible and competitive professionals who can work effectively in multilingual, intercultural and digital environments, combining professional expertise with humanistic, civic and national values.
• ensure the quality of teaching in the social sciences, humanities and languages;
• improve teaching materials and support for learning;
• introduce contemporary teaching, research and digital technologies;
• develop students’ language, communication, humanities and digital competencies;
• advance student research, academic writing and a culture of inquiry;
• increase faculty engagement in scholarly publication and research projects;
• produce textbooks, study guides, teaching materials and digital learning resources;
• support the professional development of early-career lecturers;
• expand international and interuniversity cooperation;
• strengthen student clubs and academic associations;
• improve the effectiveness of student development and group mentoring;
• promote academic integrity and the responsible use of artificial intelligence;
• implement civic, patriotic, cultural, educational and social projects;
• strengthen the academic reputation and public profile of the Department and the University.
