On December 5, 2024, at the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, a seminar on the topic "Anti-corruption Culture, Legal Principles of Counteracting Corruption" was held, dedicated to the International Anti-Corruption Day. The event was organized with the support of the Department of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty, as part of the comprehensive plan for fostering an anti-corruption culture among the academic staff, administrative personnel, and students for 2023-2024.
The International Anti-Corruption Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2004, is observed annually on December 9. The organizers and participants of the event informed the attending academic staff, administrative personnel, and students about the negative impact of corruption on all aspects of society, which threatens socio-economic development and undermines democratic institutions and the rule of law.
During the seminar, the Head of the Anti-Corruption Service of Almaty, Arman Rakhimov, emphasized that combating corruption is a shared responsibility that requires the efforts of the entire society. In his speech, he stated: "We are working to ensure transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the activities of government agencies and the quasi-public sector. Our mission is not only to detect and prevent corruption but also to create conditions for the development of principles of integrity in society." He also shared details about the preventive and proactive measures, which play a key role in preventing corruption.
The Chairman of the Board — Rector of the university, Bolat Tilep, noted that the relevance of this topic is due to the complexity and multifaceted nature of the concept of corruption. He stated, "Combating corruption has become a special type of anti-corruption policy, representing a set of consistent measures implemented at all levels of government." He highlighted the successes in the implementation of anti-corruption policies at the university and reminded the staff of their responsibility based on the principles of integrity, honesty, and fairness.
During the event, the Head of the University’s Anti-Corruption Compliance Service, Kurmangazy Madiev, pointed out that the sources of corruption in society can be diverse: economic, spiritual, moral, and social factors, as well as the lack of anti-corruption culture, which is formed in the family, school, and higher education system. He explained that to protect the organization and prevent possible risks, a system of anti-corruption measures is in place, which includes monitoring, analyzing corruption risks, fostering culture, adhering to anti-corruption restrictions, and resolving conflicts of interest. He also clarified who the subjects of corruption offenses are and what measures are taken against violators. He presented the results of the anti-corruption work at the university.
The culmination of the event was the performance by the university’s student theater, "URKER," whose actors staged the social drama "Kör," focusing on anti-corruption themes, dedicated to the International Anti-Corruption Day.
After the event, a ceremonial awarding ceremony was held to honor individuals who had made significant contributions to the formation of an anti-corruption culture at the university.