Department of Tourism and Services

Purpose of the Department

To prepare highly qualified, competitive, and in-demand professionals for the tourism, hospitality, restaurant, and service industries who possess modern professional competencies, leadership qualities, entrepreneurial thinking, innovative management skills, and the ability to work effectively in the context of globalization, digital transformation, and sustainable development.

Mission of the Department

The mission of the Department of Tourism and Service is to educate a new generation of professionals for the tourism, hospitality, and HoReCa industries through the integration of education, research, and industry practice, the implementation of innovative educational technologies, sustainable development principles, and international quality standards in education.

The Department strives to become a leading center for training professionals capable of creating competitive tourism and service products, implementing modern management solutions, promoting sustainable tourism, and delivering high-quality services in accordance with global industry trends.

Key Areas of Professional Training

1. Dual Education, ensuring the combination of theoretical studies at the university with practical training at enterprises in the tourism, hospitality, and HoReCa industries.
2. Practice-Oriented Learning, aimed at developing professional competencies through internships, industrial placements, case-study methods, project-based learning, and close cooperation with employers.
3. Development of Multilingual Education, providing students with strong communication skills and readiness for professional activities in an international tourism and service environment.
4. International Internships and Practical Training, enabling students to gain professional experience in foreign tourism, hospitality, and restaurant organizations while developing intercultural and professional competencies.
5. Engagement of Industry Practitioners, involving professionals from the tourism, hospitality, and restaurant sectors to ensure the integration of academic learning with current labor market demands and industry standards.
6. Involvement of International Lecturers and Leading Scholars, aimed at integrating global academic experience, advanced research achievements, and innovative educational practices into the learning process.
7. Development of Competencies in Digitalization and Innovative Technologies within the tourism and hospitality industries.
8. Commitment to Sustainable Tourism Development, promoting the principles of environmental, economic, and social responsibility in professional practice.

The Department of Tourism and Service was established as a result of the reorganization of the Department of Management and Tourism by the decision of the Academic Council, Minutes No. 6, dated January 31, 2022.

Main Stages of Development and Achievements of the Department

1. Over a five-year period of development, the Department has achieved significant results in educational, research, and practical activities, ensuring sustainable development and continuous improvement in the quality of specialist training.
2. Educational programs have been developed and successfully implemented, the academic staff potential has been strengthened, and cooperation with enterprises in the tourism, hospitality, and HoReCa industries has been expanded. Currently, the Department has more than 50 agreements with enterprises designated as internship and practice bases.
3. Practice-oriented training of students has been significantly enhanced through the introduction of dual education and project-based learning, as well as the development of industrial internships and traineeships. The Department successfully operates 6 branch units located at major enterprises in the tourism and hospitality sector.
4. Project-based learning is actively developing, aimed at equipping students with practical skills to solve real industry challenges, foster entrepreneurial thinking, and enhance teamwork abilities. Students of the Department have developed projects including animation programs for Rixos hotels and various informational websites aimed at promoting domestic tourism.
5. The Department actively develops international cooperation, academic mobility programs, and invites foreign lecturers and leading industry experts to contribute to the educational process.
6. Students of the Department regularly participate in international competitions and professional contests, demonstrating a high level of training and competitiveness on the global stage.
7. A significant milestone in the Department’s development was the launch of a new master’s degree program, “Business and Management in Tourism and HoReCa,” aimed at preparing highly qualified managerial personnel for the tourism and hospitality industry.
8. To enhance language training, students study English, Chinese, and Turkish, which contributes to their competitiveness and successful professional integration in the international environment.
9. Modern educational technologies are being implemented, and sustainable development principles are integrated into the learning process, contributing to improved educational quality and professional training outcomes.
10. One of the key achievements of the Department is the high employment rate of graduates, reaching 90–95%, which confirms the demand for graduates and the practical orientation of the educational programs.

At the Department of Tourism and Service, modern educational technologies are actively implemented, including digital learning platforms, interactive teaching methods, case studies, project-based technologies, and multimedia resources. This approach ensures a high level of student engagement, a practice-oriented learning process, and the development of in-demand professional competencies that meet the current requirements of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Within disciplines such as “Electronic Reservation and Booking Systems,” “Restaurant Business,” “Hospitality Management,” “Bar Operations,” and other specialized courses, modern licensed industry software is used, including R-Keeper, Opera (Protel/ProOtel), and Shelter. Their application enables students to master real digital tools for managing hotel and restaurant operations, booking systems, accounting, and service process automation. This ensures a high level of practical training, professional competence, and graduate competitiveness in the labor market.

The Department of Tourism and Service operates 6 branch units established on the basis of leading enterprises in the tourism and hospitality industry, where the dual education system is implemented.

These branch units function at major organizations such as the Rixos Hotel Group, Zhumabaktas, Touristyk Kamkor, as well as the Center for Children and Youth Tourism and Local Studies, among other partner enterprises in the industry.

These branches ensure the integration of theoretical training with practical experience, allowing students to gain professional skills directly in real production environments and contributing to the development of highly competitive specialists demanded by the labor market. The practice base includes more than 50 major enterprises in the tourism and hospitality sector. Department partners actively participate in the development and updating of educational programs, organization of industrial internships and traineeships, implementation of dual education, as well as conducting masterclasses, guest lectures, and professional training sessions. Such cooperation ensures a strong connection between the educational process and labor market requirements and contributes to the successful employment of graduates.

Faculty members and students are actively involved in research projects, conferences, competitions, publication activities, and the development of innovative solutions for the tourism and hospitality industry. This approach promotes the integration of education and science, the development of an academic environment, and the improvement of the quality of specialist training.

The Department provides training in the following educational programs:

Bachelor’s Degree Programs:

6B11127 – Tourism

Educational Program Code: 6B11127

Educational Program Name: Tourism

Brief Description: Training of qualified personnel taking into account the needs of the professional community that owns the technologies of organizing and providing tourist services, is able to take the best positions in the tourism business, national and regional tourist zones and is ready for modern challenges in the field of tourism.

Duration of Study: 3 year

Awarded Qualification: Bachelor in Services

6B11129 – International Tourism

Educational Program Code: 6B11129

Educational Program Name: International tourism

Brief Description: Training of highly qualified specialists with innovative thinking, possessing advanced technologies in the modern tourism industry, able to integrate into the conditions of the global tourism business.

Duration of Study: 3 year

Awarded Qualification: Bachelor in Services

6B11126 – Restaurant and Hotel Business

Educational Program Code: 6B11126

Educational Program Name: Restaurant and Hotel Business

Brief Description: Training of highly qualified specialists with professional knowledge of theory and practice in hotel and restaurant management, service organization, marketing and other production tasks of the hospitality industry.

Duration of Study: 3 year

Awarded Qualification: Bachelor in Services

Master’s Degree Educational Programs

7M04101 – Business and Management in Tourism and HoReCa (Scientific and Pedagogical Track)
7M04101 – Business and Management in Tourism and HoReCa (Profile-Oriented Track)

Brief description of the scientific and pedagogical track:

This program prepares highly qualified Master’s graduates capable of conducting research, managerial, and teaching activities. Graduates possess a strong understanding of scientific research methodology and are equipped with strategic management tools in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Brief description of the profile-oriented track:

This program prepares practice-oriented specialists who are able to effectively manage operational and project activities within tourism and HoReCa organizations, implementing modern innovative tools and approaches.

Duration of study:

Scientific and pedagogical track – 2 years
Profile-oriented track – 1 year

Awarded qualifications:

Upon completion of 7M04101 – Business and Management in Tourism and HoReCa (Scientific and Pedagogical Track) – Master of Science

Upon completion of 7M04102 – Business and Management in Tourism and HoReCa (Profile-Oriented Track) – Master of Business and Management

Scientific Directions of the Department

The Department of “Tourism and Service” conducts scientific research in the fields of tourism theory, economics and management, marketing, hospitality and restaurant business, recreation, socio-cultural service, digital technologies, and legal regulation of tourism activities.

Key research topics of the Department:

1.Comfort infrastructure as a factor of humanizing the tourism environment and improving the quality of travel

2.Tourism service infrastructure and service development

3.Digital technologies and innovation in tourism

4.Event, cultural-educational, and socio-cultural tourism

Publication Activity

The faculty members of the Department actively conduct research, and the results are published in leading national and international scientific journals. Over the past year, the faculty has published 15 articles in journals indexed in international databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, as well as 50 articles in journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This demonstrates a high level of scientific activity and a significant contribution to the development of tourism science and education.

Participation in Grant-Funded Research

The faculty actively participates in research projects implemented under grant funding. These studies aim to develop innovative approaches in tourism and hospitality, strengthen the department’s research potential, and address current industry challenges.

In 2025, the Department of “Tourism and Service” won an internal university grant for the implementation of the scientific startup project “Development and Testing of Tourist-Cultural Routes for Students with Different Levels of Functional Abilities: An Empirical Study,” led by PhD, Associate Professor A.S. Omarkozhayeva, with participation of second-year students of the “Tourism” program: S. Sagitzhan, D. Saparaliyeva, and M. Smaillova. The total grant amount is 2,086,800 KZT.

International Scientific Cooperation

The Department actively develops international cooperation in education and research, maintaining partnerships with foreign universities. In particular, collaboration has been established with Antalya Bilim University (Turkey), promoting academic exchange, joint research initiatives, and the expansion of international academic mobility for faculty and students.

Organization of Conferences, Seminars, and Round Tables

Each year, the Department organizes scientific and practical conferences, seminars, and round tables focused on current issues in tourism, hospitality, and service industries. These events serve as an effective platform for exchanging experience among faculty members, students, business representatives, and industry experts, contributing to the development of scientific potential and professional competencies of students.

Key events include the round table “Hospitality Trends 2026: AI and Automation,” the student science week “The Future of Service Through the Eyes of Youth,” and the round table “Problems and Prospects of Rural and Ecotourism.”

Achievements of Faculty and Students

Faculty members and students regularly demonstrate high achievements in academic, research, and project activities by participating in competitions, olympiads, and scientific-practical events at various levels. These achievements contribute to the reputation of the department and the development of research competencies and professional skills in tourism and hospitality.

1.A. Akimov, B. Rakhimbekov – awarded certificates of appreciation and diplomas for preparing students for a subject olympiad, 3rd place.

2.International Young Chefs Tournament named after Yunus Akhmetzyanov (Kazan, Russia, 2026) – student A. Aubakirov (4th year, Restaurant and Hotel Business) won 2nd place.

3.XVIII Republican Student Subject Olympiad at Academician E.A. Buketov Karaganda Research University – students of the Restaurant and Hotel Business program won 2nd place (D. Dmitrieva, A. Moldakul, K. Kuandyk), supervised by A.A. Zhanabai.

4.International competition “Green Planet: Development and Promotion of Ecotourism” – 1st place awarded to 2nd-year students of the Tourism program D. Saparaliyeva and M. Smaillova.

Student Research Competition of the Department “Tourism and Service”

The results of the student research competition demonstrated a high level of training and practical orientation of projects in tourism and hospitality. The best works were awarded prizes and recommended for further implementation and participation in scientific conferences.

1st place – “Roze Marin: Startup Model for the Production of Naturally Marinated Meat Semi-Finished Products” – M. Temirbay, K. Akhmetbekova; supervisor B. Mukanova.

2nd place – “Comparative Analysis of Restaurants in Nura District of Astana City” – students of group MIMB 241/1, K. Kuandyk, A. Nurman; supervisor A.A. Zhanabai.
– “Innovative Methods of Staff Training for Hotel Events” – RBHB 222, 4th year students; supervisor I.V. Yardyakova.

3rd place – “Qadam – Development of a Tourist Audio Guide Application Across Kazakhstan” – Tourism 241, D. Karaneeva, D. Ibrayeva, M. Egizbayev; supervisors A.Sh. Kozhanazar.
– “Opportunities for the Development of Cultural and Educational Tourism in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan” – Tourism 241, S. Ajarykova, D. Bogenbay, N. Bogembay; supervisors G.B. Akhmetova, N.N. Dzhangeldina.

The Department of Tourism and Service operates the “Kazutbtravelclub” and “Be Unique” scientific and practice-oriented clubs, aimed at developing students’ research, professional, and leadership competencies.

Scientific and Practice-Oriented Club “Kazutbtravelclub”

About the Club

The scientific and practice-oriented club “Kazutbtravelclub” brings together learners enrolled in the educational programs “Tourism”, “International Tourism”, and “Restaurant and Hotel Business”, who are interested in the development of the tourism industry, active tourism, sustainable tourism, and environmentally responsible travel. The club’s activities are aimed at developing professional competencies, enhancing research and leadership skills, and promoting the principles of sustainable development within the tourism industry.

Main Areas of Activity

- organization of tourism, sports, and educational events;

- participation in research studies and projects in the field of tourism;

- development of safe and environmentally responsible tourism practices;

- promotion of the principles of sustainable tourism and responsible stewardship of natural resources;

- participation in tourism olympiads, competitions, and professional forums;

- organization of educational meetings, training sessions, and master classes on tourism industry development;

- support for initiatives aimed at preserving Kazakhstan’s natural and cultural heritage.

Contribution to Sustainable Development

The club contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (UN) by promoting sustainable tourism, environmental awareness, the preservation of natural areas, and responsible attitudes toward tourism resources. Particular attention is paid to environmental safety, biodiversity conservation, and support for local communities.

Our Achievements

- participation of learners in scientific conferences, olympiads, and competitions in the field of tourism;

- implementation of practice-oriented projects in the tourism sector;

- engagement of learners in public and research activities;

- development of learner initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable tourism.

Club Mission

To create an active community of learners that contributes to the development of professional competencies, research potential, and environmental responsibility among future tourism industry professionals.

Scientific and Practice-Oriented Club “Be Unique”

About the Club

The scientific and practice-oriented club “Be Unique” brings together learners enrolled in the educational programs “Tourism”, “International Tourism”, and “Restaurant and Hotel Business”. The club is aimed at developing learners’ scientific thinking, practical skills, creative potential, and social engagement, as well as fostering a responsible attitude toward sustainable development and the quality of life in society.

Main Areas of Activity

- participation in research projects and academic conferences;

- organization of round tables, seminars, and educational events;

- development of teamwork and leadership competencies;

- implementation of practice-oriented initiatives in the service and hospitality sectors;

- support for projects aimed at the greening of the service industry;

- participation in social and volunteer activities;

- promotion of the principles of resource conservation and responsible consumption.

Contribution to Sustainable Development

The club contributes to the development of a culture of sustainable development among young people through educational activities, scientific research, and practical initiatives. Particular attention is paid to the greening of the hotel and restaurant industry, the digital transformation of the service sector, the rational use of resources, and corporate social responsibility.

Our Achievements

- active participation of learners in scientific conferences and public events;

- engagement of learners in research activities;

- development of practical skills through participation in projects and professional competitions;

- supporting and promoting learner initiatives aimed at addressing current social and environmental challenges;

Club Mission

To create an innovative educational environment that promotes the development of learners’ professional, research, and leadership qualities, while fostering a responsible attitude toward the sustainable development of society and the environment.