Pedaling Toward Academic Dominance in Central Asia
American, South Korean, and Kazakhstan universities strengthen collaboration in research initiatives.
Kazakhstan's commitment to academic collaborations with leading U.S. universities is on the rise, as evidenced by a series of recent agreements aimed at launching research projects and expanding partnerships. During a whirlwind visit to the States, the Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek revealed plans for Arizona State University to set up shop at Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University in 2026.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Expanding Horizons with American Universities
The University of Arizona, already making waves at Kozybayev University in Petropavl, is gearing up to delve into bioinformatics, water management, and sulfur-based polymer production.
A planned technical university in Zhezkazgan, in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines and Kazakhmys Corporation, isn't far behind.
Nurbek also locked horns with the Educational Testing Service, a renowned test development company responsible for the TOEFL, PISA, and SAT, during a Washington meeting. Expect a significant partnership agreement in the near future, focusing on overhauling the national testing system, developing tests, and switching to certificates.
"We'll pen a major partnership agreement in the realm of transforming our national testing system, developing tests, and switching to certificates. A passing grade on the test secures admission to any university," Nurbek proclaimed.
A research project with Harvard University and Boston's Davis Center is also in the works. The collaboration in library science intends to craft a cutting-edge digital platform that facilitates the digitization of rare, priceless manuscripts written in Chagatai and ancient Chinese, dating back to the 12th to 17th centuries.
According to Nurbek, a whopping 37 international universities have pledged to establish a presence in Kazakhstan. This academic year welcomed nearly 31,500 foreign students hailing from Down Under, China, India, Mongolia, Russia, Africa, and more. Investments of over 30 billion tenge (US$58.7 million) have been attracted, and the influx of students has helped generate approximately 40,000 jobs.
By the 2028-2029 academic year, Nurbek aims to crank out a staggering 100,000 foreign students annually, which he believes will funnel billions of tenge in investments and create an astounding 130,000 jobs.
Central Asian Edu-Hub in Sight
On April 28, Nurbek was joined by South Korean Deputy Minister of Education Oh Seok-hwan in Almaty, and their conversation revolved primarily around Kazakhstan's aspirations to emerge as the crown jewel of Central Asian education.
Woosong University is slated to open a branch in Turkistan this year with 110 scholarships earmarked for its inaugural students. Additionally, mechanical engineering training is in the works with Dong-Eui University, dual-degree programs are on the horizon with SeoulTech, and a rare earth processing center is under development with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
"I'm mightily impressed by the way higher education is evolving in Kazakhstan. I'm convinced that with such a robust foundation and strategic approach, Kazakhstan will undoubtedly command the top spot in the educational markets of Central Asia," Oh Seok-hwan mused.
Sources:
- Kazakhstan and Harvard University Partner for Digital Platform That Digitizes Valuable Handwritten Manuscripts
- Kazakhstan Aims to Become Central Asian Educational Hub
- Kazakhstan: Foreign Students Bring in More Than 30 Billion Tenge in Investments and Create 40,000 Jobs
Kazakh students in bioinformatics might benefit from the expansion of partnerships between Kazakhstan and leading American universities by 2029. The ambitious plans of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, include an education-and-self-development focus with online-learning opportunities as well.
The influx of international universities into Kazakhstan, such as Woosong University and Dong-Eui University, is expected to provide scholarships and dual-degree programs for students, contributing to Kazakhstan's aspiration to become a central hub for education in Asia.
By 2029, it is envisioned that these educational ventures will not only attract substantial investments but also create numerous job opportunities, potentially reaching 130,000 jobs annually.
Online education and learning platforms could play a significant role in enhancing the quality and accessibility of education in Kazakhstan, ultimately shaping the future of its students and the country itself.
