This academic year, Senior Lecturer Deokjae Lee joined the Department of Software Engineering at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Energy and Information Technologies of KRU.
His arrival has become a significant reinforcement for the department, as it is here that students of the double-degree educational program “Computer Science” study.
As a reminder, students of this program will receive two diplomas — from KRU and the University of Minnesota Morris (USA). One full academic year of study will take place in the United States.
That is why special emphasis in the program is placed on English language proficiency alongside professional competencies.
Students not only undergo intensive training through free courses offered by KRU, but also study specialized disciplines in English. For example, Deokjae Lee teaches his subject entirely in English.
For him, IT is not just a profession, but a lifelong calling.
Deokjae Lee moved to Kazakhstan last year. The decision was a family one: his wife is a citizen of Kazakhstan. After nearly ten years of living in South Korea, the family decided to change their usual pace of life.
“Seoul is a city of great opportunities, but also constant pressure. Everything moves very fast, with intense competition and stress,” the lecturer explains. “Korean culture is also quite complex — strict hierarchy and many unspoken rules, which are especially difficult for foreigners.
In Kazakhstan, life feels simpler and calmer. I feel more comfortable here, both in daily life and in communication with people.”
Initially, the family considered moving to Astana, but the capital reminded them of Seoul with its fast rhythm. Eventually, they chose Kostanay Region. Rudny is his wife’s hometown.
“Here, we found a good balance between work and personal life,” he notes. “In April 2025, I applied for permanent residence, then returned to Korea to complete all necessary matters, and on August 21 I moved to Kazakhstan permanently.
I did not initially plan to work at a university, but my master’s degree and more than ten years of experience teaching IT disciplines in South Korea played a decisive role. After contacting the university and receiving a positive response, I started working at KRU in September 2025.”
Today, Deokjae Lee not only delivers lectures but also shares international academic experience — and KRU students have pleasantly surprised him.
“I see a strong desire to learn and grow. In Korea, many students gradually lose focus, while here students are more disciplined and responsible.
The only thing that concerned me a bit was studying in two languages at once. I wondered whether it would be too difficult. But the feedback has been encouraging: students are active, engaged, and ask questions. They are motivated — and that is the most important thing. I can see that bilingual education is absolutely manageable for them.”
The lecturer also points out differences between the education systems of the two countries. In South Korea, greater emphasis is placed on projects, teamwork, and presentations, whereas in Kazakhstan written examinations are more common.
“The best results come from combining theory and practice. KRU is actively developing in this direction, and it is very promising,” he believes.
At the end of the conversation, Deokjae Lee emphasizes that he is not a supporter of excessive academic pressure:
“Student years are not only about studying, but also about life. This is the beginning of what is most important for you. You need to learn, develop, and not be afraid of challenges. If students make the effort and move forward, I will do everything on my part to provide them with high-quality knowledge.”
