Kazakhstan Reinforces Collaborative Academic Ties with U.S. and South Korean Educational Institutions
Hustle in Astana: Kazakhstan's Edu-Boom with Leading Global Universities
A flurry of agreements signed with top-tier American unis sees Astana kick-starting three new research initiatives and beefing up partnerships. During his recent Stateside jaunt, Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, spilled the beans about Arizona State University setting up shop at Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University in 2026.
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.
Linking Arms with US Universities
The University of Arizona, already onboard at Kozybayev University in Petropavl, is gearing up for research in bioinformatics, water management, and sulfur-based polymer production.
Speaking of new horizons, a tech university is under construction in Zhezkazgan with the Colorado School of Mines and Kazakhmys Corporation. In other news, Nurbek chatted up the titan of test development, Educational Testing Service, over a potential revamp of Kazakhstan's testing system.
"We aim to ink a game-changing partnership deal in overhauling our national testing system, test development, and shift to certificates. Test-takers will bag certificates, guaranteeing entrance to any uni," said Nurbek.
The minister also shared plans for a joint research project with Harvard University and the Davis Center in Boston, focusing on creating a digital platform for digitizing precious handwritten manuscripts in Chagatai and ancient Chinese script, dating from the 12th to 17th centuries.
Nurbek shared that a whopping 37 foreign universities are jumping on the Kazakhstan bandwagon. Welcoming almost 31,500 international students this academic year, these students brought in approximately $58.7 million in funds and spawned 40,000 jobs.
"By the 2028-2029 academic year, we aim to educate 100,000 foreign students annually, generating a staggering $130 million and creating 130,000 jobs," he said.
The Central Asian Education Gold Rush
On April 28, Nurbek locked horns with South Korean Deputy Minister of Education Oh Seok-hwan in Almaty, discussing Kazakhstan's vision of becoming the hub of Central Asian education. This year will witness Woosong University opening a campus in Turkistan, showering its first 110 students with scholarships. Other collaborative efforts include mechanical engineering training with Dong-Eui University, dual-degree programs with SeoulTech, and a rare earth processing center with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
"I'm floored by the rapid progress of higher education in Kazakhstan. I'm convinced that with such a powerful setup and methodical approach, Kazakhstan will inevitably lead the Central Asian educational charge," said Oh Seok-hwan.
[1] Data from Information- focused news agency, Kazinform, available at https://en.kazinform.kz/news/37-foreign-universities-to-open-their-branches-in-kazakhstan-minister-of-science-and-higher-education-24956557.html
[2] Insight from The Astana Times, available at https://www.astanatimes.com/2022/07/azeri-university-to-open-first-international-branch-in-kazakhstan/
[3] Details from University World News, available at https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=202303242051272
[4] Information from the Kazakh-American Business Association, available at https://www.kaba.org/events/auezov-a-,seminars-andloyalties/
[5] News from The Press Republic, available at https://thepressrepublic.com/international-university-of-sarajevo-and-international-information-technology-university-from-kazakhstan-sign-mou-23654/
Technology plays a significant role in these collaborative efforts, as the Colorado School of Mines and Kazakhmys Corporation are constructing a tech university in Zhezkazgan. Education-and-self-development opportunities are also expanding, with the minister discussing potential partnerships with the Educational Testing Service to revamp Kazakhstan's testing system and shift to certificates.
