To encourage critical thinking, promote cultural exchange and highlight English language programming in Kazakhstan, the U.S. Mission hosted a debate competition conference on May 23-25 in Astana at Nazarbayev University that featured 38 Kazakh university students currently being taught by American exchange participants.

1st year students - Eldana Agzamova, Bakdaulet Nurgaliev, teachers of English at the Center of Language Competencies - Colin Lamphier and Indira Kalelova represented the EKTU team.

The team successfully passed all rounds of debates, participated in conference seminars, evening cultural events, gave interviews to the press, where all team members shared their impressions about this event.

At the conclusion of the debate conference, all participants of the team received certificates of participation, which were presented by the US Ambassador Mr. Rosenblum, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.