Former Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Kazakhstan returned to Chicago

Dr Maxat Kassen from Kazakhstan presenting at Columbia College Chicago

ON APRIL 4, 2019 Dr. Maxat Kassen, a Professor of Political Science at the Eurasian Humanities Institute in Astana, Kazakhstan, visited Columbia College Chicago during a Fulbright Awards workshop led by Fulbright Chicago Chapter board member Elio Leturia.

Dr. Kassen, who came on a Fulbright Visiting Scholar to the United States in the years 2011-2012, had returned to Chicago to participate as panel chairman in the American Midwest Political Science Association annual symposium that was being held in the city, April 3-7, 2019.

More than 7,000 political scientists from universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, University of Chicago, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and other research institutions from all over the world participated in this prestigious international scientific forum.

Leturia, who is the Fulbright faculty liaison at Columbia College Chicago seized the opportunity to invite Dr. Kassen to share his experience as an international scholar with an audience of prospective Fulbright applicants at his home institution.

Besides sharing his Fulbright experience in the United States, Dr. Kassen, who is a political analyst, presented his recently published book “Open Data Politics.”

Dr. David Comp, Dr. Marcelo Sabatés, and Pattie Mackenzie from the Office of Global Education of Columbia College Chicago with Dr. Maxat Kassen and Professor Elio Leturia.

“Thanks, Elio for inviting me personally to be part of your presentation. It was both an honour and a pleasure to meet you again after so many years since I returned to my home institution. You always remain a mentor and leader for all of us, Chicago Fulbrighters!” Dr. Kassen said. Leturia and Kassen had met previously when Leturia was President of the Chicago Chapter of the Fulbright Association in the years 2011 and 2012.

“If someday you visit Astana in the future you are always welcome in my house and my institute!” Dr. Kassen said to the workshop audience, sharing his Fulbright spirit.