Professor Randall Filer from the City University of New York visited Narxoz

Narxoz University proudly hosted Professor Randall Filer, a distinguished economist from City University of New York and President of EFI (Economics Fundamentals Initiative), for a visit from October 22 to October 24, 2024. Invited by the PhD department of the university, Professor Filer’s visit marked a significant opportunity for academic exchange and collaboration, aligning with Narxoz University’s mission to enhance its global partnerships and elevate educational standards in Kazakhstan.

On October 22, Professor Filer met with the President of Narxoz University to discuss potential avenues of cooperation, notably the prospect of Narxoz University’s involvement in the International Economics Olympiad in partnership with the Economics Fundamental Initiative (EFI), an organization led by Professor Filer. This collaboration holds the potential to position Narxoz University as a hub for talented school graduates from Kazakhstan who are interested in economics, creating opportunities to attract and nurture the nation’s brightest young minds in the field.

As part of his visit, Professor Filer conducted a two-hour webinar for PhD students, titled "The Publication Game: How to Maximize Your Chances," where he shared his expertise on navigating the academic publication process. In this interactive session, he offered strategic insights on choosing the right journals, managing submissions, and responding to referees’ feedback. He highlighted common challenges and mistakes encountered in the publishing journey, equipping students with practical tips to improve their chances of acceptance in leading journals. The event was highly informative and provided valuable guidance for emerging scholars at Narxoz.

On October 24, Professor Filer delivered an in-depth research seminar on "Endogenous Remittances and Impacts on Those Remaining Behind," co-authored with Yali Ozer. This seminar offered groundbreaking perspectives on the socioeconomic impacts of remittances within households, using unique Albanian data to explore how remittances influence household spending on education, healthcare, and housing. His findings revealed that remittances lead to increased investments in children’s education and health, while also improving living conditions for the families left behind. The seminar was well-received by faculty and students alike, enriching Narxoz University’s academic environment and stimulating interest in economic research related to migration and household welfare.

Throughout his visit, Professor Filer’s engagements and thought-provoking discussions made a profound impact, leaving the Narxoz community inspired and motivated to pursue excellence in economics and research.