Residence hall getting demolished, science building complete, round building work planned
This year, KIMEP University has taken a hammer to campus, spending millions of dollars to improve the campus. The administration built a new Computer Science, demolished the interior of the round building, and now plans on razing the residence hall and building a new on campus home for hundreds of students. While the renovations aim to elevate the student experience, the timing and disruptions have raised concerns among the university community.
The Chill Zone renovation is a significant part of the campus improvements. The temporary displacement of furniture into main corridors has caused inconvenience for students. Esma-Vildan Barach, a third year BAJ student, expressed hope for the project’s outcome. “I hope that after the renovations are done there will be new machines and new furniture,” Barach said. She said that she hopes administration would add a little more sofas, since there are many more students now, and people want to sleep on breaks.
Another key project is the construction of the new Computer Science building.
“The new Computer Science building will be complete by the end of January,” said Dr. Timothy Barnett, provost and general deputy to the president. This facility is expected to provide state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and collaborative spaces for students and faculty.
The university has also initiated the interior demolition of the round building, a structure that has stood on campus for decades. According to Barnett, this phase is set to be completed by July. The redevelopment of this space is anticipated to better serve the needs of students and staff in the long term.
One of the most ambitious projects is the decision to construct a brand-new residence hall instead of renovating the existing one, Barrnett said.
This initiative reflects the growing demand for student housing.
Baiansuluu Sharsheeva, a third-year student and dormitory resident, welcomed the news but remained concerned.
“I am glad that renovations are taking place and finally there will be many amenities for students,” Sharsheeva said. “As a resident of the dorm, I hope they will come up with an alternative to housing for next year, as more than 400 students will have to look for housing.”
With the opening of Valikhanov Gate and serving as the primary entrance to campus, the university will close the arch gate, Barnett said.
“The student parking lot is now open and students with displayed KIMEP parking permits can park there,” he said.
Welcome news for commuting students.
While some students have voiced frustrations about the disruptions caused by these projects, others remain optimistic about the long-term benefits.
“Of course, it’s great that they decided to update the chill room for students,” said Diana Baltabayeva, a third year student. “But this caused inconvenience in the corridor. All the furniture is there now, but in the last two years the number of students has increased, and it is sometimes difficult to walk through the corridor on normal days, not to mention the furniture standing there.”
The chill room on the ground floor of the Valikhanov building, which is getting new carpeting installed, is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.