VICE MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION MEETS WITH RESIDENTS OF NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION

Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Gulzat Kobenova held a meeting with residents of the North Kazakhstan region to discuss the development of science and higher education. The event took place at Kozybayev University.

Gulzat Kobenova informed the public about the Concept for the Development of Higher Education and Science for 2023–2029. She placed particular emphasis on ensuring access to higher and postgraduate education, advancing internationalization, implementing forward-looking workforce training, developing university infrastructure and digital architecture, and strengthening the engagement of universities in the social life of the region. In addition, in line with the directive of the Head of State, the Ministry is implementing the innovative artificial intelligence program AI-Sana, under which 569,000 students have already completed training, and 119 AI agents have been developed and deployed.

The Vice Minister noted that 93,232 grants have been allocated for the current academic year, and student scholarship amounts have been increased by 20%. A total of 21 Kazakhstani universities were included in the prestigious QS World University Rankings, while 35 universities made it into the QS Asia rankings.

Thanks to the establishment of 33 branch campuses of foreign universities in the country, the number of international students has increased, reaching 31,500 today. The first such collaboration in Kazakhstan was the strategic partnership between Kozybayev University and the University of Arizona. This project gave a new boost to the development of the northern region and attracted hundreds of young and promising students to Petropavl. Currently, approximately 1,000 students from all regions of Kazakhstan, as well as from the USA, China, and Russia, are enrolled in dual degree programs at the university.

At the meeting with residents, Guldana Maksat, a first-year student in the dual degree Biotechnology program and a kandas (ethnic Kazakhs from abroad) from China, addressed a question to the Vice Minister:

“Currently, I am studying on a state-funded grant under the quota for kandas. This opportunity has been extremely valuable for me: the program helped me adapt, improve my academic skills, and successfully begin my studies in the chosen program. Before enrollment, I completed a one-year Foundation program at Kozybayev University. I would like to know if there are plans to continue supporting and further developing this initiative for the education of kandas in the future?”

Gulzat Kobenova noted that the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan is consistently working to ensure that kandas have access to quality education and that conditions are created for their successful integration into the country’s academic environment.

The meeting also featured questions regarding the work of Regional Scientific Councils, support for young researchers, plans for implementing artificial intelligence in universities, university facilities and equipment, and the development of student self-governance bodies.