In D. Serikbayev EKTU held its work a 2-day international seminar "Involving employers in the development of educational programs: models and strategies of cooperation." The conference was initiated jointly with the national office of the Erasmus + program in Kazakhstan. Erasmus + is a European Union program aimed at promoting the modernization and sustainable development of the education system, vocational training, youth policy and sports. The conference is attended by rectors and representatives of more than 40 universities in the country. The seminar is held in a mixed mode and in compliance with all security measures. The bulk of the participants, due to the situation with the pandemic, connected to the conference online.

The conference began with the Ulba Metallurgical Plant of Ust-Kamenogorsk, where a meeting of the Academic Committee for the development of educational programs at the enterprise was held. On the agenda is the issue of strengthening the relationship between industrial institutions and higher education. In other words, the skills of the graduate must meet the current market requirements and, first of all, the needs of the university's partner enterprises. Further, within the framework of the conference, a tour of the university was held for the participants. The guests got acquainted with the technical equipment of the university and the work of scientific workers.

The second part of the seminar took place in the Column Hall of the VKTU. The plenary part of the event was opened by the rector of D. Serikbayev EKTU Zhasulan Shaimardanov. Among the speakers, it is worth noting an international expert, head of the qualifications service of the Agency for Quality and Qualifications of Ireland Brian Maguire, who participated in the seminar remotely.

He acquainted the participants with the European experience of long-term relations between enterprises and universities based on a culture of partnership, the use of the National Qualifications Framework in the formulation of learning outcomes based on descriptors and assessment of competencies, develop proposals for developing a model of interaction between universities and enterprises in the implementation of educational programs.

After the plenary session, the participants listened to the reports of the speakers, including the head of the HR department of KAZ Minerals Aktogay LLP Bauyrzhan Abylkasymuly. The topic of his report is "Securing the demand and supply of qualifications between the university and the enterprise." The head of the emergency prevention department of the Emergency Situations Department of the East Kazakhstan region Alexey Shtykel also spoke, sharing with the main areas of cooperation between the university and the Emergency Control Department of the East Kazakhstan region. Vice-rector for scientific work and innovations of EKTU Oleg Gavrilenko spoke about the role of the university in the introduction of high technologies in the regional economy. Vice-rector of S. Amanzholov EKU Dosym Erbolatuly in his report touched upon the topic "Interaction of research centers and departments of the university with enterprises in the region." It should be noted that this is not a complete list of speakers.

In general, the participants of the seminar discussed topical issues regarding cooperation between enterprises and universities in determining the content of education and assessing the training of graduates.