Press release available in Russian here.
Over a third of former students in Kazakhstan would be prepared to support students at their old school, new research and polling has shown.
On the United Nations’ (UN) International Human Rights Day, international charity Future First Global, which commissioned the research, is calling on schools and alumni to work together to help young Kazakhs realize their rights to education and to work.
Polling by Ipsos MORI of over 1,000 Kazakh adults nationwide revealed that over a third of adults would be willing to give back to their old schools, but on average less than two percent were currently doing so.
The data released in Kazakhstan today to mark United Nations’ Human Rights Day, uncovers significant potential benefits to schools and students offered by alumni communities, with former students able to help young Kazakhs realize their rights to education and to work.
The research, conducted with the support of The Open Society Foundations, looked at the potential for public schools to build alumni communities in Kazakhstan, one of six countries examined around the world.
“Our research exposed a strong desire among alumni to go back as role models and mentors, careers advisors and work experience providers for students at their old schools,” said Jake Hayman, author of the report and founder of Future First Global.
“With young people in Kazakhstan facing an ever changing jobs market, tapping into this significant resource should be a priority for schools,” he added.
85% of young Kazakhs confirmed their desire to engage with alumni for careers advice, mentoring and more.
One Kazakh student said as part of the study: “It’s important to hear from graduates because they sat in the same classrooms and so we’re close to them.”
Additional data from the polling and research findings in Kazakhstan are available in the report: Every school a community: the role of alumni in supporting the transition from school to work. The full set of polling data is also available to download online from Future First Global.
For more information contact: info(at)futurefirstglobal.org / +44(0)2072398214