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Universities in central Asia?
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Spionen



Joined: 24 Mar 2010
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:41 pm    Post subject: Universities in central Asia? Reply with quote

I'm curious about future opportunities to work at a university in central Asia. I just signed a two-year contract with a university elsewhere, so I'm not asking about current job postings, just wondering if anyone has any insight into the scene there in general.

I have a BA in an unrelated field, a Pass A on the CELTA, three-ish years of experience in language schools in various countries so far, and will by then have an additional two years at the university level. I may also pursue an MA in TESOL or the DELTA.

I'm interested in any of the -stans.

Thanks in advance!
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Dedicated



Joined: 18 May 2007
Posts: 972
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Central Asia is a vast area including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and even possibly several former Soviet states on the periphery, such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.....

I think you would be more likely to get useful information if you homed in on a more specific area where somebody might have been/worked.
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 11:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Moldova? Asian? Of any description?
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Dedicated



Joined: 18 May 2007
Posts: 972
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 1:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I did specifically say 'on the periphery' as similar to other ' -stans', Moldova was able to achieve independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
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Sashadroogie



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Central Asia is a vast area icluding XYZ, and even possibly former Soviet states such as Moldova. I dunno. Sounds like Moldova is in Asia...
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Spionen



Joined: 24 Mar 2010
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Wed Aug 05, 2015 2:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dedicated wrote:
Central Asia is a vast area including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and even possibly several former Soviet states on the periphery, such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia.....

I think you would be more likely to get useful information if you homed in on a more specific area where somebody might have been/worked.


You might be right, but I'm really interested in any of the above and thought I'd cast a broad net. I don't want to ask about Uzbekistan specifically when it might discourage someone who knows about Kyrgyzstan from replying, since I'm equally interested in Kyrgyzstan (as an example).
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kona



Joined: 17 Sep 2011
Posts: 188
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2016 9:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This is a bit old, but since I've been looking for jobs in the same place, I'd thought I'd share what I've found. As far as I can tell, the only upper-tier university jobs I know about are:

Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan.

American University of Central Asia, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (I'm guessing this would be tough to get into, but you never know).

I remember seeing an ad for a Korean university in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and I think I saw that on dave's Korean job board.

I wouldn't be surprised if these positions require an MA TESOL + experience (especially AUCA), but apply anyways, who knows, you might be able to get in. I've heard Kazakhstan has made the visa process even more of a pain, and it's not exactly in a desirable location weather-wise either, so they might be more inclined to compromise on certain qualifications.

If your goal is to learn some Russian, I've heard Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (especially Bishkek) are both good places; however, you might be stepping on some nationalists toes if you don't make an effort to learn one of the respective local, turkic languages.

If you're planning on teaching long term, it definitely pays to up your qualifications.
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nomad soul



Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2016 9:55 pm    Post subject: Re: Universities in central Asia? Reply with quote

Spionen wrote:
I have a BA in an unrelated field, a Pass A on the CELTA, three-ish years of experience in language schools in various countries so far, and will by then have an additional two years at the university level. I may also pursue an MA in TESOL or the DELTA.

Ditto about upgrading your qualifications; your unrelated BA wouldn't get your CV a second look.
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twowheel



Joined: 03 Jul 2015
Posts: 753

PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2016 11:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sashadroogie,

Where are you?!?

twowheel
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danshengou



Joined: 17 Feb 2016
Posts: 434
Location: A bizarre overcrowded hole

PostPosted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kona wrote:
Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan. I've heard Kazakhstan has made the visa process even more of a pain, and it's not exactly in a desirable location weather-wise either, so they might be more inclined to compromise on certain qualifications.


For teaching basic EAP in the FYP (that's right, Foundations Year), this is what they want: "Reporting to the Coordinator for EAP, you will be responsible for planning, delivery, evaluation and assessment of your modules, ensuring that they align with the broader program objectives. You must be a highly experienced professional with good interpersonal and organisational skills, be self-confident and an effective communicator. In addition to having excellent proven teaching experience, you should be a strong specialist in your subject area, with significant teaching experience, particularly in an international context. A PhD qualification or equivalent experience would be desirable."

I guess they are feeling pretty confident about what they are selling Smile
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kazpat



Joined: 04 Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Kazakhstan

PostPosted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 12:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kona wrote:
I've heard Kazakhstan has made the visa process even more of a pain,


The MFA wants diplomas to be apostilled to get a visa reference number these days, anything else that you have heard?

Quote:
If your goal is to learn some Russian, I've heard Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (especially Bishkek) are both good places; however, you might be stepping on some nationalists toes if you don't make an effort to learn one of the respective local, turkic languages.


In Kazakhstan locals expect expats to speak Russian as it is the official language for inter-ethnic communication, however, they are pleasantly surprised if a foreigner speaks Kazakh.
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kona



Joined: 17 Sep 2011
Posts: 188
Location: USA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 12:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry for the late reply, somehow missed this.

I thought I read a thread on here that said it was unnecessarily bureaucratic and policies change frequently, but I can't seem to find it; if it's just a matter of getting a few documents apostilled, that's not too bad. Are you still in Kazakhstan? What documents does a person need to get a work visa beyond apostilled degrees? National or local CBC? I'm trying to apply to KIMEP (website is being uncooperative), but still wondering what documents should I should prepare in the meantime.
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kazpat



Joined: 04 Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Kazakhstan

PostPosted: Tue Oct 25, 2016 10:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A new teacher just joined our school and he only had to have his diploma and teaching license apostilled. I work at a secondary school. I have heard of teachers being requested to have transcripts apostilled but no one that I work with has had to do that. I think complaints about red tape come from the fact that it seems like different institutions have different processing times for the visa reference number and work permit (if applicable) through the ministry. You are required to have a national background check as well and it should not be more than six months old.
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kona



Joined: 17 Sep 2011
Posts: 188
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 26, 2016 9:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm guesing the CBC needs to be apostilled too. All seems reasonable tbh, thanks for the info!
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kazpat



Joined: 04 Jul 2010
Posts: 140
Location: Kazakhstan

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2016 4:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You are correct about the apostilled CBC. By the way, Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program (NUFYP) recently posted an advert for positions.
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