Arizona Celebrates First Information Science Graduates in Kazakhstan

In 2022, the University of Arizona became the first major international university to establish a comprehensive dual-degree partnership in Kazakhstan. Four years later, that partnership reached a major milestone as the first 22 College of Information Science students graduated from M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University (NKU), earning the BS in Information Systems Management from NKU and BS in Information Science from U of A.

The commencement ceremony in Petropavlovsk celebrated more than the achievements of a single graduating class. It marked the beginning of a growing international partnership designed to prepare students with the technical knowledge, global perspective and cross-cultural experience needed to lead in an increasingly connected world. This fall, the program is expected to grow to 237 information science students across four cohorts.

“Watching these students cross the stage was a powerful reminder of why international partnerships matter,” says Kevin Carton, InfoSci manager of global and international programs. “They were the first to take this journey, and in doing so they’ve created opportunities for hundreds of students who will follow.”

The dual-degree partnership combines coursework at NKU with Arizona instruction, allowing students to earn bachelor’s degrees from both institutions. Throughout the program, students complete InfoSci courses in data science, ethics, programming, neural networks and digital engagement as part of the BSIS Data Science emphasis. The inaugural graduating class also spent a semester studying on the U of A campus in Tucson, where they worked alongside faculty and other students while experiencing American university life firsthand.

“This partnership reflects the global nature of information science,” says Interim Dean Catherine Brooks. “Information challenges and opportunities are not restricted by geopolitical borders. By bringing together students, faculty and ideas across continents, we’re preparing graduates who understand both the technologies shaping our future and the diverse people and communities those technologies serve.”
 

For many graduates, the experience extended well beyond earning two degrees. One graduate said the program helped them “discover my passion for data science, significantly boost my English proficiency and build meaningful connections while studying at the University of Arizona.” Another encouraged future students to “step outside of your comfort zone, actively improve your English and connect with as many peers and professionals as possible.”

Those connections extend beyond the classroom. Each year, InfoSci faculty travel to Kazakhstan to teach, mentor and engage directly with students. In recent years, Associate Professor of Practice Diana Daly led workshops on critical thinking and logical reasoning, while Lecturer Sarah Young spent two weeks teaching digital ethics on NKU’s campus.

“What impressed me most wasn’t just how much students had learned technically,” Carton says. “They talked about becoming more confident, seeing new possibilities for themselves and understanding the world in different ways. That’s exactly what international education should do.”

As the partnership enters its next chapter, the momentum continues to grow. Seventy-five new information science students are anticipated to join the program this fall, bringing enrollment to 237 students and further expanding the College of Information Science’s global community.

“These 22 graduates are only the beginning,” Brooks says. “They’ve helped establish a program that continues to grow, and they’ll inspire the students who follow. We’re proud to celebrate their accomplishments and excited to see how they’ll shape information science and their communities in the years ahead.”