BRITISH KAZAKH SOCIETY
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES GROUP COMMITTEE
The British-Kazakh Society is pleased to announce the formation of a Creative Industries Group comprising leading professionals from the United Kingdom and Kazakhstan.
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OBJECTIVES
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Creative Industries Group committee has the objective of facilitating communication and networking for members and interested parties in the creative industries sector in Kazakhstan and in the UK.
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THE COMMITTEE
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The Committee is composed of the following individuals: Mira Abdrakhmanova, David Hardy, Indira Ziyabek, Kamshat Kumisbay, Bibigul Makazhanova. Their biographies are shown below.
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GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT ACTIVITIES & PLANS
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The committee plans to have a number of events during each year with guest speakers actively involved in this sphere.
Both Society members and non-members are invited to express their interest, in participation/joining our mailing list, to Membership Secretary (email address: secretariat@bksoc.org.uk).
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COMMITTEE MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES
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Mira Abdrakhmanova - has more than 15 years of work experience within international oil and gas companies developing and operating oil, gas, and condensate fields around the world as well as more than 5 years in the financial sector. She has worked within multinational teams in a dynamic and challenging environment on the international arena. Throughout her career Mira has successfully participated in fields start-ups, business and processes improvements, presented at various exhibitions, has won several scholarships and awards. Mira has also participated in the development of start-ups in the UAE and UK. She holds an MSc degree in Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science (UK) as well as degrees in Banking and Jurisprudence from Kazakh universities. She speaks Russian, English, Italian and Kazakh languages.
David Hardy - has worked for over 40 years in education as a lecturer, senior manager, senior civil servant, chief executive of a higher education institution and President of the rectors of Europe’s open universities. In these posts and, since 2002, as a successful international consultant, he has been responsible for major reforms to post-school education aimed at meeting the needs of employers in a modern economy. Work in Kazakhstan between 2003 and 2010 included in 2003-4 research and drafting of the Education Sector Development Strategy approved by the President. The work was included in the National Programme of Education Development 2005-2010 with recommendations for reforms within the Ministry of Education and guidance on related funding requirements. Advisor on education reform to the governments of Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russian Federation, Turkey and Romania, 2002–2015.
Indira Dyussebayeva-Ziyabek - is an independent curator and the co-founder of International Art Development Association (IADA), a non-profit organisation supporting and promoting contemporary art from Kazakhstan and other countries of Central Asia. Indira is also a founder of Ainalaiyn Space, a nomadic contemporary arts organisation based in London. Ainalaiyn Space is a space devoted to creative minds, where Learning, Research, and Experimentation are essential parts of the project. Indira holds an undergraduate degree and MA in History of Art from University College London. Her academic research explores themes including memory and psychoanalytic theory; cultural trauma; the maternal body; and the corporeal metaphorics of nomadic dwellings. These research questions are discussed in dialogue with contemporary art practices. She also holds MSc Finance from Cass Business School, City University. Indira has curated and co-curated numerous international projects, including one of the projects of the National Museum, Focus Kazakhstan: Post-nomadic Mind exhibition at Wapping Hydraulic Power Station in London 2018; the private pavilion of Kazakhstan, ONE STEP/PE FORWARD that was held during 55th Venice biennale; and the first international exhibition The Other Side of Midnight at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan - a solo show of British artist, Zadok Ben-David. .
Kamshat Kumisbay - brings over 15 years of dedicated diplomatic service to the helm of this vital cultural institution. Currently, on maternity leave, she is actively engaged in the establishment and growth of the Centre, driven by a deep passion for Kazakh culture and the promotion of the Kazakh language.
In her most recent role as the First Secretary at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK, Kamshat concluded a robust portfolio of assignments with a focus on economic affairs. She was instrumental in attracting investment to Kazakhstan, orchestrating key economic and investment forums in London, and organizing an array of cultural events that celebrate the diverse tapestry of Kazakh traditions.
Throughout Kumisbay’s diplomatic tenure, she has cultivated vast networks within both the UK and Kazakhstan’s business, government, and arts circles. This experience has established her as a linchpin in fostering bilateral cooperation and cultural exchange, a role she is committed to continuing.
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Bibigul Makazhanova - Driven by a deep passion for promoting Central Asian culture, Bibigul Makazhanova spearheaded the inception of the Central Asia Creative Hub (CACH) to complement Scotland's diverse creative landscape. Through innovative initiatives and strategic partnerships, she envisions CACH as a catalyst for showcasing the diverse talents and traditions of Central Asia on an international stage.
With a keen eye for emerging trends and a commitment to fostering inclusivity, Bibigul is dedicated to creating opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue and artistic collaboration. Under her guidance, CACH has become a beacon of creativity, offering a vibrant space for artists, designers, and cultural practitioners to connect and collaborate.
Building on her expertise and fueled by a desire to further promote Central Asian cultural heritage, Bibigul expanded her horizons by completing the Evaluation of Art and Cultural Projects course at Queen Margaret University. Leveraging this knowledge, she actively contributes to Kazakhstani projects aimed at fostering creative industries, thereby extending the reach of Central Asian culture to the global arts community