The Rector of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University (Abai KNPU), Bilyalov Darkhan Nurlanovich in Almaty Kazakhstan inaugurated Dr. Gulzhaina Kassymova, Ph.D on March 30, 2022. This graduation is a dual degree program with a Doctoral Program in Technology and Vocational Education, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta(UNY). Gulzhaina Kassymova completed her dual degree doctoral program at UNY and Abai KNPU during the 2017-2020 period. Currently, she teaches at Satbayev University, Abay University, and Suleiman Demerel University.

The Head of the Doctoral Program in Technology and Vocational Education of UNY, Prof. Bruri Triyono said the dual degree activity aimed to develop student competitiveness. In addition, the program also provides opportunities to interact with students abroad and have the chance to learn and have socio-cultural experiences in the association between nations.

Abai KNPU is one of the largest and leading universities in Kazakhstan. The university has 786 lecturers with 54 doctors and many professors. Many leaders and community leaders have occupied notable roles and contributed to the development of Abai KNPU. Abai KPNU has collaborated with universities in 23 countries, where 20 of them are in the TOP 500 of the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), such as Cambridge University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Sussex, Beijing United University, and Sorbonne Paris Cité University. (Dedy, Tj. Lak)