Triple Milestone: UTEP Education Professor Selected for Rare, Third Fulbright Award to Share Expertise in Kazakhstan
Two-time Fulbright Scholar transitions to Specialist program to support Kazakhstan’s higher education, research
EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 3, 2026) – Mourat Tchoshanov, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Education at The University of Texas at El Paso, has been selected for a Fulbright Specialist engagement in Kazakhstan.
Building on his previous background as two-time Fulbright Scholar, Tchoshanov will partner with Kazakhstan higher education institutions to share his scientific expertise and foster international research collaboration. Tchoshanov’s project is called, "Crossing boundaries with STEM Education in the era of AI.”
Tchoshanov will travel to Kazakhstan in November 2026 to conduct a two-week-long seminar at the Eurasian Humanities Institute in Astana as a Fulbright Specialist. The specialist program sends U.S. faculty to serve as expert consultants to academic institutions abroad.
“During the seminar, I plan to help the faculty at the host institution build expertise in digital STEM education with the effective and responsible use of generative AI. This will involve such aspects as designing effective digital learning environments, constructing digital assessments, and, overall, assisting local faculty in systemic implementation of digital technologies,” Tchoshanov said.
The project builds upon his previous Fulbright experience with Kazakhstan in 2023-24.
During his previous visit to Kazakhstan, Tchoshanov visited the Eurasian Humanities Institute to meet with administration, faculty and students where he found great interest in continuing collaboration and strengthening the partnership with UTEP.
For example, this past summer, a doctoral student from Kazakhstan visited UTEP for a month-long internship. She worked closely with some of the TLC (Teaching, Learning and Culture) doctoral students on STEM education related projects. This led her to present her research at the newly established STEM Academic Research Center (STEAM-ARC) in the College of Education.
Tchoshanov’s latest project will prepare educators to effectively use digital tools and empower teachers to engineer highly effective learning environments.
“The core claim of human-centered design is that no tool, no matter how intelligent it is, will ever replace a human. So, what should never change about teaching is the presence of a human in this process. Remember the first stage in human-centered design – empathy. This critical socio-emotional component is irreplaceable in teaching.” Tchoshanov said. “Moreover, humans should control tools, not the other way around.”
Tchoshanov added, “Our collective progress through this change depends on how productively we adapt our thinking to the new situation.”
Last Updated on September 03, 2026 at 12:00 AM | Originally published September 03, 2026
By MC Staff UTEP Marketing and Communications
