The Best Teacher Award goes to Saniia Toktogazieva

June 6, 2018

Congratulation to Saniia Toktogazieva with The Best Teacher Award based on student votes, in recognition of Excellence in teaching and dedication to the growth and enrichment of AUCA.

Saniia shares her impressions, “Thank you! It is truly a great honor for me, especially taking into consideration that this year the award was based on student voting. It is the best reward that any professor can get and at the same time best motivation and encouragement to move forward! I feel very happy, blessed and motivated!”

Saniia Toktogazieva is currently Assistant Professor of Law Division and Coordinator of the Human rights program.  She is also a very proud alumnus of Law Program (IBL) in AUCA. She pursued her LLM in Human rights in Central European University and currently enrolled in doctoral studies (SJD/PhD) in Comparative Constitutional Law in Central European University.

“I think that it was the best decision in my life to choose to become a lawyer and that I have applied to law program in AUCA not to any other university in Kyrgyzstan. I am truly thankful to all my professors in AUCA who are currently my colleagues in the Law Division.

I am very passionate and committed to principles of rule of law and constitutionalism. I believe in democracy and universality of human rights. I also believe that principles of good governance and system of checks and balances shall be reflected not only on governmental level but in all spheres of our lives in institutions, businesses, universities, schools and corporations”- tells Saniia.

How long you are teaching here? What courses?

 I have been teaching in AUCA since 2012 and I have taught (co-taught) following courses: Introduction to law, Constitutional law of the KR, International Criminal law, International Public Law, International Human Rights law, Legal Skills, Thesis Research Seminar, Visual legal advocacy: human rights in digital world, Democracy in Dark and LLM course Advanced issues in Public International law. I guess every professor has its own favorite course. In my case it is definitely Constitutional law and International Criminal law.

What is teaching for you?

I love teaching and it is definitely more than just a simple work for me, I take it very seriously and I understand that it is a huge responsibility and commitment. Teaching for me is already a style of my life! There are some days when I feel discouraged (especially when students are unprepared) but yet I cannot imagine my life anymore without teaching. It takes a lot of energy, time, nerves, small sacrifices every single day but at the end of the day I know that it worth it, especially when you feel the support of your students and when you see that your students upon graduation became leaders and change makers!

What qualities should a modern teacher develop?

It is indeed getting more and more challenging to be a teacher, especially now in the era of digital world. We as modern teachers should compete with gadgets, internet, and social media and with this entire world of technology. However, there is one thing that this world of technology cannot teach - the ability to think! This is a great advantage that any teacher has and I believe no matter how advanced the technology gets it will never be able to substitute teachers who truly care and cherish in their students ability to THINK! My teaching philosophy and all courses are designed in a way to make students to think. There is no necessity of memorizing the material; your smart phones can do it for you. However, your smart phone will never be able to teach you to see the global picture, to sort and digest the information, to think critically and beyond the box. Being a modern teacher is also a great and wonderful opportunity to influence our next generation, to build in them sincere commitment to universal values. I try to use this opportunity to the best of my abilities in every single class. I do my best to cherish in them the will and commitment to such values as rule of law, respect for human rights, democracy and constitutionalism.

What qualities do you value in students?

I value the most and I love when students are motivated and eager to learn, when they are curios and when they ask many questions. I love seeing when students are passionate about their studies.

What would you wish to future AUCA students?

There is one distinct and important thing I would call the spirit of AUCA- academic freedom! We as faculty and all students value it the most and do our best to keep it and strengthen it. If you want to experience it you should definitely apply to AUCA. Once you are accepted and join our AUCA family my wish for you would be to cherish the academic freedom and enjoy it to the best of your abilities!

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