A video is circulating on social media purporting to show a lecturer at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University being dismissed during a class in front of students. The situation has sparked widespread discussion among Kazakhstanis, and the university has issued an official comment, infohub.kz reports.
According to a post by Shyndyk.kz on Threads, the lecturer in question is Gauhar Duisembiyeva, who has devoted 38 years to teaching. It is claimed that the dismissal order was handed to her during a lecture, with university administrators interrupting the class to deliver the document.
An NUR.KZ correspondent sent a request to the university's press service. Officials there said the order terminating the employment relationship with the lecturer was issued on October 2, 2026, based on a decision by the university's disciplinary commission. According to the press service, the lecturer was notified of the commission's meeting and had the opportunity to present her explanations and position, but did not take part in the meeting. After the order was issued, a copy was sent to her residential address by express delivery within the period established by law, the university says.
"As for the events of October 7, it should be noted that by that time the employment relationship with G. M. Duisembiyeva had already been terminated, and the head of the department had arranged for a replacement lecturer to ensure the continuity of the educational process. Despite this, G. M. Duisembiyeva entered the classroom on her own, demanded that the lecturer assigned to conduct the class leave, and proceeded to conduct the class. A representative of the human resources department who arrived suggested that G. M. Duisembiyeva step into the corridor to talk, but she insisted that the conversation take place directly in the classroom, in the presence of students. According to information available to the university, the video of what happened was filmed by students at G. M. Duisembiyeva's own request," the university added.
The press service stressed that the university did not initiate the public delivery of personnel documents during a class. "The current situation was the result of the actions of a former lecturer who independently began conducting a class after her employment relationship had ended. According to materials available to the university, violations of the information security requirements of the Univer system were identified during 2024–2026, including the transfer of access to the lecturer's account to students so they could perform certain teaching duties. In addition, violations of established requirements for the preparation of teaching materials, the development of examination tasks, the conduct of classes and the checking of examination papers were recorded. Some cases created risks for the timely holding of examination sessions and for compliance with students' academic rights. Of particular concern to the university were instances of the lecturer involving students, including minors, in her personal labor dispute with the university, including the preparation of materials for use in court proceedings," the explanation also said.
KazNU added that the university administration had taken measures aimed at resolving the situation and ensuring compliance with labor and teaching discipline, including awareness-raising work and disciplinary measures.