Recently, Nurbank CEO Eldar Sarsenov congratulated participants of the charitable program "Ticket to Life" on receiving diplomas from Caspian Public University (CPU). This year, the university graduated 8 individuals who were supported by Nurbank throughout their four years of studies.
The project is described by its creator, Eldar Sarsenov.
When was the program launched?
- We started the "Ticket to Life" social project seven years ago. Each spring, through our numerous branches, we inform orphanage graduates about the opportunity to receive higher education in Almaty. They need to send us an essay, a video statement, and their results of the Unified National Testing (UNT) or Comprehensive Test of Applicants (CTA) proving they have passed.
Since 2014, 66 individuals have participated in the program, including nine freshmen. Participants come from East Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Kokshetau, Aktau, Pavlodar, and Nur-Sultan. They have chosen majors like psychology, architecture, software engineering, law, public law, and petroleum engineering. Newcomers get acquainted with 25 students already studying in different courses at the university.
What is the budget of the program?
- We started with 20 million, now it's over 35 million tenge per year. Organizational issues are handled by the bank's PR team: they buy tickets, meet students at the station or airport, take them to the dormitories, and help them settle in. We immediately show the children the university where they'll study. First-year students are issued Nurbank cards so they have their stipend by September 1st. Those who study well, getting 4s and 5s, receive 25,000 tenge; those with some lower grades get 15,000. Plus 25,000 tenge for groceries, and 20,000 for other expenses, totaling 70,000 tenge per month for diligent students. We maintain constant contact with them, solving any arising issues and providing laptops and other learning supplies if necessary.
The program encourages self-development - clubs, hobbies, sports activities are supported. One of our students is passionate about volleyball, and the bank pays for his training. A girl competing in fitness competitions was provided a beautiful swimsuit and had her trips to Ukraine and Italy funded, where she returned victorious.
Why did the bank choose this format of charity?
- We wanted to focus our efforts, not spread ourselves too thin - both budget-wise, as we have limited funds for charity, and in terms of direction. We decided to assist children deprived of parental care. We noticed that in orphanages, children have good conditions and receive secondary education; after graduation, they live in youth homes and wait in line for housing. But the gap lies in higher education. Our goal is to enable them to stand on their own feet despite how their life began, to become self-reliant, avoiding the habits they might acquire in orphanages, like relying on handouts or expecting entitlement.
Are they able to find jobs after graduation?
- Each summer, program participants are placed as interns. I petition for them to be accepted into large companies, which improves their resumes and provides experience and valuable connections. After they graduate, we guarantee employment - it's our standout feature. We strive to employ them within our group of companies, or if their specialization doesn't suit us, we arrange employment with other companies. In this way, we have placed over 50 individuals in jobs. Most have started families, acquired housing, and become full-fledged members of society.
Why was CPU chosen as the project's base university?
- We wanted, first of all, to work with a private university. Secondly, we analyzed ratings considering student employability, and CPU led in Almaty for that category. Thirdly, we found the "price-to-quality" ratio favorable, and fourthly, we appreciated the administrative and economic staff. Finally, the range of majors offered: from nursing to petrochemistry.
What challenges or disappointments have arisen in the program?
- It was disheartening when some participants left their studies. Some got married; others found high-paying jobs not requiring higher education. In seven years, there have been about 7 such cases. I personally spoke with each one, but not all were convinced.
Can you talk about other aspects of the bank's social work?
- "Ticket to Life" is the flagship but not the only charitable project of Nurbank; there are others. Veterans come first - every year, our branch staff's initiative groups visit war veterans and home front workers with gifts, and the bank sends monetary transfers.
Additionally, we hosted the Charity Music Run for two consecutive years (the project was interrupted due to quarantine). While Almaty has plenty of sports events, ours was unique because music bands performed every few kilometers of the route. Plus, we held it in the First President's Park, avoiding road closures. All proceeds from ticket sales and sponsors were donated to the Scientific Center of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery. We renovated a laundry room in the children's oncology and hematology ward, adding new washing machines. Proceeds from the second run funded a donor blood centrifuge.
Another initiative, "We Bring Warmth": bank volunteers deliver hot drinks and snacks during cold seasons to municipal workers who work outdoors all day. The campaign runs in several cities with our branches, expressing gratitude to those who clean our streets.
The demand and impact of the "Ticket to Life" program are confirmed by participant stories.
Third-year CPU student majoring in "Corporate Finance," Adelina Zhdanova shares that she learned about "Ticket to Life" from a classmate in the orphanage in Semey (East Kazakhstan) who enrolled two years prior.
- Initially, I was uncertain about my career choice and chose finance because I liked mathematics in school. But this year, while interning in Nurbank's risk department at the main office, entering client credit histories into the database and meeting with partners, I realized how much I liked it, - she says.
Adelina is an active student, organizing open houses and other events within the University's School of Marketing and as a club member of Eventum.
Ruslan Bakirlanov graduated this year and now works at Nurbank.
- I'm an orphanage graduate from Novaya Shulba village in East Kazakhstan region. After passing the UNT, I was planning to study in Ust-Kamenogorsk. But then the administration found out about the opportunity to go to Almaty. I was thrilled. It wasn't just an opportunity; it was an incredible breakthrough. I was the first from our orphanage to leave for studies so far away and for such a long time, - Ruslan boasts. - Everyone was happy for me, supporting me. Our director himself brought me to Almaty to ensure everything was arranged. I was warmly welcomed, shown the university right away, and assisted with the paperwork. Our bank curator frequently visited the dorm, taught us to cook, and introduced us to students from other cities. Even though I came from a small village with only two thousand residents to a huge city, I felt no discomfort.
After his third year, Ruslan interned in Nurbank's head office in the retail department, and during his fourth year, he trained in various branches of the Almaty office and the main operational risk department. He learned the specifics of each banking direction.
- I set a goal to work in Nurbank, and after graduating, I joined the SME department - exactly where I liked it most, - Ruslan happily shares. - All the employees help, teach, and explain things to me. Working with clients, conducting presentations — it's pure thrill for me!
Now, from Novoshulbinsky orphanage, new participants enroll in the program each year, following Ruslan's path.
Source: Forbes.kz