President receives science and higher education minister Sayassat Nurbek

Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev had a meeting with science and higher education minister Sayassat Nurbek, during which he was briefed about the adoption of the 2023/29 higher education and science development concept outlining strategic goals and development indicators of the sector, Kazinform Agency cites the Akorda press service. 

The Kazakh President was briefed about the development of infrastructure and digital architecture of higher education, including the construction of campuses of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Gumilyev Eurasian National University. It was informed that the digital university model is being developed by the ministry. Students are given access to the global educational online platform Coursera, with 40 thousand learners already receiving the certificates. 100 priority courses of the platform are available in the Kazakh language.

Tokayev was reported that Kazakhstan is being actively promoted in the world educational space, as 21 of its universities are in the QS ranking and four in the Times Higher Education ranking. The offices of eight leading foreign universities are to function in the country by the yearend. Training of personnel in AI has started together with international companies. Within the Mamandygym – bolashygym project, project offices to conduct foresight studies on the regions’ personnel needs are being established.

According to the report presented to the Kazakh President, the institutional role of the National Academy of Sciences is being enhanced. The National Council on Science and Technology under the President stated its operation.

During the meeting, it was noted that the Satbayev University scholars developed the technology of obtaining selenium with 99.5% purity, allowing the country to export the rare metal at more profitable prices.

In conclusion, the Kazakh Head of State gave instructions to increase the level of education, stimulate innovations, improve the quality of scientific research, as well as reduce dormitory places shortages.