Kazakhstani Medical College Governance and Leadership

In partnership with Nazarbayev University College of Medicine and its Graduate School of Education, Penn AHEAD is developing and delivering a series of professional development programs (PDP) for senior and mid-level medical college administrators. The aim of the PDP was to enhance the leadership skills linked to the reform efforts propagated by the Ministry of Health with a focus on three areas:

• Autonomy
• Academic Freedom
• Research 

The workshops result not only in new skills and knowledge for the participants, but also in action plans for each medical university and a series of recommendations to the Ministry of Health to advance autonomy, strengthen research, and improve the leadership of medical universities. 

To create effective learning experiences for participants, we use case studies from Kazakhstan and from the U.S.; simulation activities to convey concepts; and action-learning and reflective practitioner activities to explore and apply concepts to their participants’ specific situations. Drawing on an understanding of the sector and its leadership and governance needs, we develop and deliver workshops and sessions on the following topics over two weeks:

• University organizational dynamics;
• Decision making and problem framing;
• Power and influence;
• Collaboration;
• Change management;
• Strategy, missions and planning;
• Governing boards for autonomy;
• Leadership and management;
• The art of persuasion;
• Managing meaning in organizations; and
• Assessing change and progress.