Founders of the Mentorship Program
Zhanat Alimanov
Rashid Gaissin
Dinara Jarmukhanova
Askar Dostiyarov
Arman Tastanbekov
About program
I. MISSION
The mission is to create supportive environment in Business and Law Community for Mentors, Mentees and School of Law.
II. OBJECTIVES TO IMPLEMENT THE MISSION
(1) To find best graduates (with biggest potential for growth)
(2) To find best mentors (willing to be a part of the program with unblemished reputation and excellent
professional qualifications)
(3) To create environment (conditions) where mentees can learn from mentors and mentors can guide mentees in their professional growth
III. PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION
(1) Mutual Support
(2) Respect
IV. ROLES
A. Role of Mentors
(1) To create environment (conditions) where mentees can learn from mentors and to encourage mentees to develop to their fullest potential
(a) Internship with their organizations is highly recommended
(b) Goal setting
(c) Career planning
(d) Advice on issues of verbal communication, teamwork, planning and organizing, time-management, sustaining work-life balance, leadership, etc.
B. Role of Mentees
– To accept guidance of Mentors
V. TERMS
(1) Duration – 12 months
(2) Stages
(a) Introductory meeting
(b) Establishing agreements between mentor and mentees
(c) Implementation
(d) Closure (Mentor decides who successfully passed the Program)
(e) Remote guidance for Mentees who passed the Program
Description of the Mentorship Program:
Mentoring relationships follow this cycle: preparation, establishing agreements, enabling, and closure.
- In the preparation phase, the mentor and mentee have a conversation about their expectations, confidentiality, and the boundaries of the relationship.
- In the establishing agreements phase, the mentor helps the mentee work out a plan, with clear tasks, for achieving his or her goal.
- The enabling phase is when the work happens. The mentor supports the mentee in following his or her plan as well as provides feedback and accountability.
- Closure is a planned ending to the relationship. Closure is used as an opportunity to reflect on learning, what is it one has learned about oneself as a mentor or a mentee.
Connection duration – 12 months (either party can end the relationship, if they feel it is not working for them).
Program events – general meetings of participants of the Program are held semiannually.
- At semiannual meetings participants provide general feedback on the Program by completing and submitting Evaluation Form, discuss and vote on the Program’s important issues.
- Preliminary date for the next meeting.
- The questions and issues that have to be addressed at the next meeting include but are not limited to the following:
– Determine if participants met their goals. If not, determine why the particular goals were not met and measure whether or not the Program has been making progress toward participants’ goals achievement?
– Was the program successful in the current format?
– Does the overall program need to be adjusted or tweaked to be more successful or better meet the needs of participants of the Program?
– Identify the Program’s key performance indicators.
– What will the Program’s plan for the following year look like?
Mentors
Zhanat Alimanov
Director of KIMEP Mentorship Program
Assistant Professor, Director of KIMEP Legal Clinic and of KIMEP LLB Program in Jurisprudence
office 123, New Building | alimanov@kimep.kz
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Education:
LLM in Corporate Law from Duke University School of Law, USA in 2000.
Diploma in Jurisprudence (LL.B equivalent) with high honors from Kazakhstan University of the Humanities and Law in 1998.
Work Experience:
Zhanat has an extensive work experience in corporate and commercial law. His current research interests are in Corporate and Finance law, and Legal Ethics.
BAR admissions:
Admitted to practice in the State of New York (New York Bar Admission), USA
Askar Dostiyarov
Chairman of the Management Board, Kazyna Capital Management JSC
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Askar holds MBA degree in finance from the George Washington University (2001, USA). He is a Bolashak scholar. Ph.D. in Economics. After 10-year professional career in private equity and general management, Mr. Dostiyarov completed executive programs and awarded alumni status at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (2011-2014, USA).
Askar Dostiyarov has a 17-year experience in different industries, including private equity and telecom. Prior to career in Astana, he held various managerial positions in Kazkommerts Securities (Almaty, Kazakhstan), VISOR Investment Solutions (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Mobile Telecom-Service (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Meridian Capital investment group (London, UK and Almaty, Kazakhstan). As a shareholders representative, he was a member of the Board of Directors of such companies as Thistle Mining, Kazakhtelecom, Altel, Nursat, Karakudukmunai and others.
Since june 2013, he joined National Management Holding Baiterek group of companies. He served as the acting Chairman of the Management Board, First Deputy Chairman of Development Bank of Kazakhstan, Chief Investment Officer of Baiterek Holding. During his service, he was awarded with the State Order “Kurmet” for his contributions to the development of the State economy, Public Medals “Merey”, “Honorable finance professional”, “Finance professional of the year” for outstanding achievements in the development of financial sector of the RK.
Since February 2017, he is the CEO of Kazyna Capital Management (Fund of PE Funds. KCM family includes 13 PE Funds with usd2.4bln capitalisation).
Dinara Jarmukhanova
Managing Partner, Centil LLP
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Dinara has 16 years of extensive experience in diverse corporate and transactional works. She worked in the oil and gas, telecoms, banking, construction and other spheres. Her work includes transactional and international dispute resolution experience, along with M&A, corporate restructuring, financial transactions, joint venture agreements and investments.
Dinara was included in the UK’s Best Lawyers list of outstanding lawyers for 2015 following her work on international arbitrations in London in 2013 and 2014. In addition to the Kazakh Bar, she is admitted to the New York Bar, studied in the Duke University School of Law (USA).
Rashid Gaissin
Co-Managing Partner, INTEGRITES Kazakhstan LLP
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Rashid spent 9 years as a Managing Partner in a leading regional law firm, where he focused on, inter alia, M&A, corporate restructurings, subsurface use (oil and gas, and mining), corporate law, commercial law, and finance law. Being a Partner and Head of the legal practice of PwC, Kazakhstan, Rashid focused on PwC’s legal practices in Kazakhstan and Eurasia region (Central Asia and Caucasus).Rashid is a dual-qualified English and Kazakh lawyer. In 1998 he graduated from the Kazakh State Law University (Almaty), with a diploma in law, with distinction, afterwards he obtained his master degree in petroleum law and policy at Dundee University (1998–1999). Rashid then qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales, firstly undertaking his academic training at BPP Law School (London) and then he had two years of training at the London office of international law firm Norton Rose. Rashid is a Vice-Chairman of the British-Kazakh Law Association (BrKLA) and member of the Management Committee of Kazakhstan Bar Association (KazBar).
Victoria Simonova
Partner, Dentons LLP
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Victoria is a partner in Dentons’ Almaty office with over 20 years ‘experience and advises clients on a wide variety of Kazakhstan and international law issues, including energy, corporate, and litigation matters. Victoria is involved in complex litigation matters. She has advised clients on acquisitions of assets and other interests in companies in the oil and gas, telecommunications and construction sectors. Victoria has advised on a number of major mergers and acquisitions.
Victoria is a director at the European Business Association of Kazakhstan. Victoria Simonova is a member of the AIPN, KPLA and KazBar.
Kurmangazy Talzhanov
Co-Managing Partner, INTEGRITES Kazakhstan LLP
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Kurmangazy Talzhanov is the Co-Managing Partner of Kazakhstani Office of “ INTEGRITES ” law firm. He is the head of natural resources, corporate law/M&A, banking and finance law practices. Mr. Talzhanov has extensive expertise in such sectors of economy as fuel and energy, mining industry, real estate and construction. He is a recognized expert in the area of disputes resolution and is listed among recommended arbitrators of Kazakhstani International Arbitration. Kurmangazy Talzhanov specializes in representing clients’ interests in arbitration courts and courts of general jurisdiction.
Arman Tastanbekov
CLO, Member of the Management Committee at Astana International Exchange Ltd.
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Arman is one of the region’s leading lawyers in M&A, subsoil use, dispute resolution and capital markets. He currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel and member of the Management Committee of Astana International Exchange Ltd. in the AIFC. He has worked on projects across various industries representing domestic and multinational companies and financial institutions. Arman was previously counsel and partner with Am Law 100 firms in Almaty and Astana and regional counsel for a FTSE 100 oil & gas company. He also co-founded a boutique law firm focused on cross-border transactions in Almaty. Arman graduated with highest honors from the Kazakh State Law University and earned his LLM degree from the American University Washington College of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the Republic of Kazakhstan and New York.
Mukhit Yeleuov
Partner, Kinstellar LLP
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Mukhit Yeleuov is a Partner in the Almaty office. Mukhit has significant experience in corporate and shareholder disputes, contractual and commercial disputes, construction disputes, professional malpractice disputes, product liability disputes, employment disputes, customs and tax disputes, and other regulatory disputes. For a number of years, the international legal directories have consistently recognized Mukhit as a leading dispute resolution lawyer in Kazakhstan.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATION
– Member of the Management Counsel of the Kazakhstan Bar Association
– Member of the Committee of the Kazakhstan Bar Association and the Kazakhstan Petroleum Lawyers’ Association for the perfection of the arbitration legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan
– Member of the working group drafting the law on legal aid of the Kazakhstan Bar Association
– Member of the American Chamber of Commerce Customs and Trade Working Group
– Member of the Global Advisory Board at Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Information for Mentors and Mentees
Here is an information for Mentors & Mentees:
HELPFUL TOOLS
Mentees and mentors are strongly advised to use tools that help make mentoring sessions effective and on point and may raise productivity of the Program:
I. LIST OF THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS & MENTORS
Program Administration
Zhanat Alimanov
Founder and program director
Alina Davar
Deputy program director
Mentor’s Responsibilities:
- Facilitate career planning and development skills (targeting, networking, resume building)
- Facilitate goal-setting and being goal-oriented. Help in clarifying directions.
- Recognize mentee’s weaknesses and build on their strengths
- Serve as a role model and encourage professionalism
- Coach and develop problem solving skills
- Share experiences as learning tools
- Act as a resource for information about the profession
- Encourage introspection
- Be available, as schedules permit, to work with the mentee. Approximately 10-15 hours per mentee is recommended.
- Regular face-to-face meetings are vital to building a strong and effective relationship. An average meeting per month is 1. Consistent communication via phone or e-mail (student’s media of choice) is also an important element of mentoring.
- For distance mentoring relationships to succeed, mentor must be willing to meet face-to-face for two initial meetings with your student partner and to meet in person at least two times a month. Mentor can also meet with their student partner over summer and holiday breaks.
- Establish a regular meeting time early on. Write it down. Remember, the mentee’s schedule changes each semester, so you’ll have to address meeting times at least 2 times each year.
- Actively listen to the mentee and provide guidance.
- Provide insights and input to the Program Coordinator to help assess and improve the Mentoring Program. Provide feedback using the program’s evaluation surveys.
- Attend optional program events (e.g. discussion groups, meetings with the program coordinator).
Mentee’s Responsibilities:
- Actively engage in mentoring activities.
- Prepare the goals and objectives mentee has for their career. Mentee has to be prepared to ask for specific guidance and advice on mentee’s goals, plans and strategic ideas.
- Attend and be prepared for all meetings with mentor. Be willing to ask questions, reflect, and exchange ideas with mentor.
- Listen and respect the opportunities, limitations and format of the relationship mentor is able to provide for mentee. Always act with courtesy and respect towards mentor.
- Seriously consider all advice or suggestions given by mentor. Arguing why the mentor’s advice would not work, can be construed as rude and close-minded.
- Take the initiative to ask for feedback. Feedback is critical to mentee’s personal and professional growth and development. Accept constructive feedback.
- Always be considerate and respect mentor’s time. Be thorough, but succinct in explanations, experiences and comments.
- Give back to the Program and volunteer to become a mentor.
Feedback
For Applicants
To participate in the Program, you must:
- Be a student at KIMEP University;
- Be willing to commit the necessary time to meetings or otherwise communicating with your mentor;
- Complete one of the courses of Zhanat Alimanov/Alina Davar with “A-” and higher;
- Have GPA > 3.7; Exceptions can be made on the discretion of Zhanat Alimanov and Alina Davar.
If admitted to the Program, you will meet with your mentor several times each year at mutually agreed upon dates, times and places. If you meet at your mentor’s office, please dress appropriately.
The relationship you have with your mentor is largely what you and your mentor make it. Mentoring relationships within the Program vary greatly. Students and mentors often decide to meet more frequently than the Program requires; others decide to meet only as required. It will be regulated by Mentorship agreement. Most mentors and students begin their discussions with the Program topic, but you and your mentor can discuss any mutually agreed upon appropriate topic. For example, you and your mentor might want to discuss networking and other job related topics.
Please remember that your mentor has volunteered his or her time. Be flexible regarding your mentor’s practice obligations. And even though finding legal employment is important, do not expect your mentor to offer you a job. Your mentoring relationship is an opportunity for you to learn and develop necessary professional skills.
Recruitment to the project is carried out in two stages: submission of a CV and personal interview. It is held every Fall and Spring semester. Before submitting a CV, please read the About program tab to learn more about the Program and ensure, that you satisfy all above-listed requirements. If you do, send your CV to Alina Davar email (a.davar@kimep.kz).
It is worth mentioning that the “Mentorship” program is carried out not only for Law students, but for all students from all faculties of KIMEP University!