jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people
  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Career Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • Advertise a Job
  • Recruiters
  • Your Account

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

Secondary Sidebar

jobs.ac.uk Career Advice

  • CV and Cover Letter Advice
    • CV Tips
    • Free CV Templates
    • Cover Letters with Examples
    • Personal Profiles
    • CV Resources
  • Jobseeking and Interview Tips
    • Jobseeking Tips
    • Academic Interviews
    • Professional Interviews
    • Jobseeking and Interview Resources
  • Career Development
    • Academic Careers
    • Research Careers
    • Career Progression Stories
    • Professional Careers
    • Working in Industry
    • Career Development Resources
    • Global Careers
    • Working From Home
  • Women in Higher Education
  • FE Career Advice
    • FE CV & Interview Tips
    • Working in FE
    • Managing your Career in FE
    • FE Jobs Profiles
  • Resources
    • Academic Case Studies
    • Professional Case Studies
    • Job Profiles
      • Biological Science Jobs
      • Health and Medical Jobs
      • Engineering and Technology Jobs
      • Computer Science Jobs
      • Physical and Environmental Science Jobs
      • Professional Service Jobs
        • Business Development Manager Jobs Profile
        • Chef Jobs Profile
        • Civil Service Jobs Profile
        • Email Marketing Jobs Profile
        • SEO Jobs Profile
        • Office Admin Jobs
    • Vlogs
  • Webinars
  • Country Profiles
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Ghana
      • Kenya
      • Nigeria
      • South Africa
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • United States of America
    • Asia
      • Bahrain
      • Brunei
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Malaysia
      • Qatar
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Dubai
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Work in Vietnam – Country Profile
      • Work in Uzbekistan – Country Profile
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
  • PhD and Studentship Advice
    • PhD
    • Studentship Resources
    • Vlogs
  • Need help advertising a job?
  • About jobs.ac.uk
  • Ask A Professional
  • Academic Spotlight Interviews
  • Menu
    • CV and Cover Letter Advice
      • CV Tips
      • Free CV Templates
      • Cover Letters with Examples
      • Personal Profiles
      • CV Resources
    • Jobseeking and Interview Tips
      • Jobseeking Tips
      • Academic Interviews
      • Professional Interviews
      • Jobseeking and Interview Resources
    • Career Development
      • Academic Careers
      • Career Progression Stories
      • Research Careers
      • Professional Careers
      • Working in Industry
      • Career Development Resources
      • Global Careers
      • Working From Home
    • Women in Higher Education
    • FE Career Advice
      • FE CV & Interview Tips
      • Working in FE
      • Managing your Career in FE
      • FE Jobs Profiles
    • Resources
      • Academic Case Studies
      • Professional Case Studies
      • Interview questions tool
      • Vlogs
      • Job Profiles
        • Biological Science Jobs
        • Health and Medical Jobs
        • Engineering and Technology Jobs
        • Computer Science Jobs
        • Physical and Environmental Science Jobs
        • Professional Service Jobs
        • Civil Service jobs
    • Webinars
    • Country Profiles
      • Africa
        • Work in Egypt – Country Profile
        • Work in Ghana – Country Profile
        • Work in Kenya – Country Profile
        • Work in Nigeria – Country Profile
        • Work in South Africa – Country Profile
      • Americas
        • Work in Canada – Country Profile
        • Work in the United States of America – Country Profile
      • Asia
        • Work in Bahrain – Country Profile
        • Work in Brunei – Country Profile
        • Work in China – Country Profile
        • Work in Hong Kong – Country Profile
        • Work in India – Country Profile
        • Work in Japan – Country Profile
        • Work in Kazakhstan – Country Profile
        • Work in Malaysia – Country Profile
        • Work in Qatar – Country Profile
        • Work in Saudi Arabia – Country Profile
        • Work in Singapore – Country Profile
        • Work in South Korea – Country Profile
        • Work in Turkey – Country Profile
        • Work in United Arab Emirates – Country Profile
      • Dubai
      • Europe
        • Belgium Country Profile
        • Work in Denmark – Country Profile
        • Work in Finland – Country Profile
        • France Country Profile
        • Work in Germany – Country Profile
        • Work in Ireland – Country Profile
        • Work in Italy – Country Profile
        • Work in the Netherlands – Country Profile
        • Work in Norway – Country Profile
        • Work in Russia – Country Profile
        • Work in Spain – Country Profile
        • Work in Sweden – Country Profile
        • Work in Switzerland – Country Profile
        • Work in the United Kingdom – Country Profile
      • Oceania
        • Work in Australia – Country profile
        • Work in New Zealand – Country Profile
    • Studentship Advice
      • PhD
      • Studentship Resources
      • Vlogs
    • Need help advertising a job?
    • About jobs.ac.uk

Academic Case Study: Ronald Voogdt, Dean of International Business School Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

Why did you choose to work in Kazakhstan?

Because of private reasons – my wife is Kazakh. We met during our studies in the UK in 1994. We were classmates in the Master of Organisational Analysis and Behaviour at the Lancaster University Management School. After that my wife moved to The Netherlands. We lived there for 9 years. My wife worked in the head office of ING Bank and was asked to head the ING Bank representative office in Almaty. We moved to Kazakhstan at the end of 2003. I was a Senior Management Consultant in The Netherlands. In Kazakhstan, I came into contact with the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) in Almaty. They asked me to join them to launch the London School of Economics (LSE) franchise programme at KBTU. In 2004, I became the Foundation Dean of the International School of Economics (LSE) at KBTU and successfully launched the LSE franchise in 2005.

What appeal does Kazakhstan hold for western academics?

Several things. First of all, the warmth and hospitality of the Kazakhstani people. Secondly, the country is developing fast, the mood is positive. Although with the crash of the oil price the economic circumstances and mood became less positive, I’m sure soon Kazakhstan will be on track again to develop further. Thirdly, the breath-taking nature surrounding Almaty, the beautiful mountains especially. And Almaty itself is a very pleasant city to live in, it has all you need, nice opportunities for going out.

How did you prepare for the move?

Because my wife is Kazakh, we had visited Kazakhstan since 1995 regularly. Thus, the country and the people were not new to me. Of course, living in another country is different from visiting it. But I am very close to my wife’s family. And we had many joint friends already before we moved. What is important is to work and meet new people yourself – as a foreigner. My first job in Almaty at KBTU was very helpful to find my own way here.

How does the work differ from that in a European university?

Education in Kazakhstan had (from 2004 on), and still has, many traits of the old Soviet school of education: root learning, bid distance between the teacher and the students. Also, the administrative part of organisations still have quite some traits of that time. That is not always easy. But things are changing step by step into more international practices, especially in the classroom. And students are very positive about these changes, which creates a positive work environment.

How does Kazakhstan university teaching differ from Europe?

When bachelor students start at the university, they need to adjust from root learning to critical thinking. The first year especially is challenging in that respect. But students adjust fast and are eager to learn to contribute to class discussions.

How did the visa process go?

In the past, I was dependent on a visa. That was not always easy, regulations changed often and were not always “logical”. Since I got my residence permit, I no longer need a visa. This made things a lot easier, both concerning visa and work permits.

What was it like during the first few days and weeks?

Since I had visited Almaty many times before we moved and my wife is Kazakh – we have her family in Almaty and many friends – it was not that hard to adjust. When I started working, I had to get used to many practices I was not familiar with. But since I worked in a part of the organisation that was more international, it was not difficult to find my way.

What about the language barrier?

I learned a bit of Russian before I moved to Almaty and a few Kazakh phrases. That is highly appreciated. However, my language capabilities developed quite slowly unfortunately. My Russian is still intermediate. With young people that is usually not a problem, they often speak English. With others I try to speak in Russian as good as I can. At work, most of the colleagues I work with directly can also communicate in English, that is not a barrier.

How has working overseas helped your career?

I have worked and lived in Kazakhstan for 13 years now. I have made a good career here, both in higher education and in the business sector (PwC, AIG Insurance).

Have you got any advice for other academics planning to work overseas?

It is very enriching to work and live in a country and environment other than your native place. You learn other cultures, understand your own culture in a different way and see things from different perspectives. I highly recommend this to anyone. It is also very rewarding to – on a small scale of course – contribute to the development of an emerging country. Once you arrive in a new country, try to focus on making friends with people from that country and don’t rely too much on other expats. The experience is much more enriching when you immerse yourself in the local communities.

Business & Management Studies Jobs

What did you think of our article? - please rate

5 / 5. 1


Share this article

Reader Interactions

You may also like:

  • Audience at the conference hall.

    Writing Abstracts for Conferences

  • Professor Herman Grobler Case Study Career Advice Thumbnail

    Professor Herman Grobler

  • Building resilience as an employee

    Building resilience as an employee | Webinar summary and recording

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 × five =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow us

Searching for a job in the United Kingdom

Latest Jobs

  • Dean of the School of Business and Law

    School of Business and Law, AFG College with the University of Aberdeen

    Location: Doha

    Salary: Not specified


  • Dean of the School of Computing and Technology

    School of Computing and Technology, AFG College with the University of Aberdeen

    Location: Doha

    Salary: Not specified


  • Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Business

    AFG College with the University of Aberdeen

    Location: Doha

    Salary: Not specified


  • Assistant Professor in Sustainable Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Dubai)

    Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham

    Location: Dubai

    Salary: Competitive. Grade 8


  • Professor in Business Administration

    Business School, University of Nottingham Ningbo China

    Location: Ningbo

    Salary: Negotiable


  • Language Lecturer in Chinese

    School of Languages, Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University

    Location: Jiangsu

    Salary: Competitive


Footer

jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people
  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Career Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2025

  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Careers Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2025