The Faculty of Innovative Education is one of the leading faculties of H. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University with a history spanning nearly 70 years. The faculty provides training for highly qualified specialists in pedagogical, special, and social fields who carry out professional activities in personal development, upbringing, and education, while implementing inclusive policies within the multicultural environment of the region.

The faculty was established in the 1959–1960 academic year and has played an important role in training future teaching professionals throughout its formation and development. Its history is the history of many generations and a living connection of time. The name of the faculty has changed in accordance with the strategic development of the university.

More than 70 professors and lecturers work at the faculty, including 3 Doctors of Pedagogical Sciences, 3 PhD holders, 15 Candidates of Pedagogical Sciences, 2 Honored Coaches of Kazakhstan, as well as master’s degree holders and senior lecturers.

Since the establishment of the faculty, the position of dean has been held by well-known scholars in different years, including Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Academician Askhat Salimuly Imangaliev (1986–1989), Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Academician Ghalymzhan Zhumabayuly Nuryshev (1989–1994), Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Aliya Mendeshkyzy Mukhanbetzhanova (1994–2001), Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Bakyt Telzhankyzy Barsai (2001–2008), Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences Nursaule Sailaukyzy Sailauova (2008–2011), Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Gabit Bakhytzhanuly Bazargaliyev (2011–2013), and Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Lyaylya Yerbolatkyzy Koishyglova (2013–2018).

Since 2018, the faculty has been headed by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, and graduate of the international “Bolashak” program, Akmaral Utepbergenkyzy Mukhanbetzhanova.

The faculty carries out tasks related to updating the content of higher and postgraduate education in line with global trends, creating conditions for the commercialization of scientific research results and technologies, and improving the management and development monitoring of higher and postgraduate education.

The faculty’s three departments - Preschool and Primary Education, Psychology and Pedagogy, Physical Education and Initial Military Training - implement educational programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels:

1. 6B01101 - Pedagogy and Psychology
2. 6B01901 - Speech Therapy
3. 6B03101 - Psychology
4. 6B01102 - Psychology IP
5. 6B01902 - Special Pedagogy IP
6. 6B01201 - Preschool Teacher and Methodologist
7. 6B01301 - Primary Education Teacher
8. 6B01302 - Primary Education IP
9. 6B01402 - Teacher of Initial Military and Technological Physical Training
10. 6B01401 - Physical Education Teacher and Coach in the Chosen Sport
11. 6B01407 - Physical Education and Sports IP
12. 7M01101 - Pedagogy and Psychology
13. 7М01103 - Education Management and Leadership
14. 7M01301 - Management in Education

The main areas of activity of the departments include training future specialists within the framework of updating the content of primary education in the Republic of Kazakhstan; preparing future preschool education specialists for multicultural and inclusive environments; scientific and practical aspects of psychological services in educational and industrial institutions; issues of communication psychology in the social environment; scientific foundations and methodology for the use of interactive and information technologies in teaching pedagogical disciplines; motivating students to engage in physical education and sports, as well as diagnosing their general physical fitness. The competencies outlined in all pedagogical educational programs are adapted in accordance with the “Professional Standard of the Teacher.”

The faculty employs professors who have won the “Best University Teacher” competition: L. Koishyglova (2016), A. Mukhanbetzhanova (2017), Zh. Sabirova (2018), Sh. Dzhanzakova (2019), and G. Shugaeva (2020). This competition is held to assess the pedagogical and scientific excellence of university faculty members, enhance the prestige of the teaching profession, and encourage further professional development.

The faculty has established close cooperation with Simon Fraser University, Kokand University, Astrakhan State University, Kalmyk State University, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, Kyrgyz International University, Ege University, Nigde University, and other international scientific institutions. Faculty members actively participate in international and national conferences, promoting pedagogical and psychological research abroad.

The faculty conducts research in pedagogy, psychology, inclusive education, early career guidance, the development of functional literacy in primary schools, and current issues in primary education. Faculty scholars and professors G.K. Shugaeva and L.E. Koishyglova are members of a targeted program grant project funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Faculty members also lead several university and social grant projects. From 2021 to 2024, professors Zh.N. Sabirova, G.K. Shugaeva, L.E. Koishyglova, and A.U. Mukhanbetzhanova worked on the international project “Comparative Study of Educational Practices for Children with Special Educational Needs” under the supervision of Robert Williamson, PhD and Professor at the Faculty of Education of Simon Fraser University.

Thanks to its focus on active learning, student responsibility, independence, reflective approaches to the educational process, and close interaction between students and teachers, the faculty has achieved significant success. Within the student-centered learning system, specialists are trained with modern thinking, humanistic ideas, moral values, innovative approaches, continuous self-development, and orientation toward the needs of the new educational system.

The faculty pays special attention to supporting talented students. In recent years, sponsored scholarships have been awarded to students. Every year, tuition discounts are provided to more than one hundred high-achieving students from socially vulnerable groups and children of employees. Numerous activities are carried out within the framework of the “Asu Umit” innovative social project aimed at developing students’ spiritual culture, resulting in positive changes and high recognition. Each department successfully operates student scientific clubs such as “Young Psychologist,” “Young Scientist,” the “Sarmat” club, and a Volunteer Group. Opportunities are also provided for students and master’s degree candidates to improve their foreign language proficiency and deepen their theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The departments of the faculty closely cooperate with a number of affiliated institutions. Educational organizations of the region and city serve as practical training bases for students.

The faculty’s material and technical base meets modern requirements. Laboratory classrooms that comply with educational program standards are equipped with advanced technologies. The Faculty of Innovative Education of H. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University is a scientific and methodological center that occupies a special place in the development of the regional educational environment. The faculty makes a significant contribution to improving the quality of education in the country by effectively implementing modern educational processes and training professionally competent and competitive teaching specialists. Combining innovation and tradition, the faculty serves as a reliable foundation for the spiritual, moral, and intellectual development of future generations.