Sayasat Nurbek on the role of universities: Anchors of community, economy, and research
Nazarbayev University hosted a discussion on university leadership and financing within the NUARC-2024 scientific and practical conference, dedicated to the 125th anniversary of Kanysh Satbayev, the founder of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences. Minister of Science and Education, Sayasat Nurbek, opened the session highlighting the evolving role of universities both locally and globally. His remarks centered on the "third mission" of universities, focusing on their impact beyond education and research, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
The minister discussed a transformative initiative, referring to it as the "third mission" of universities. While traditionally universities focus on education and research, he pointed out that they are increasingly playing an important role in social services and community development.
“They're now becoming economic anchors, research anchors, social anchors, apart from their traditional mission of giving education”, the minister said.
Nurbek cited the example of the Silver University project, initially launched at a regional university in Kokshetau, where older generations are taught new skills, such as programming and English. This initiative saw significant engagement from senior citizens, leading to unexpected positive outcomes.
“They started to engage more with their grandchildren's education. Silver University results show that academic performance of their senior citizens became more active. They wanted to engage, created several councils, started helping the local governor's office, they got their second chance to become more actively engaged in local communities," he said.
The program's success has spread, with 73 universities across Kazakhstan now adopting similar models to offer reskilling and upskilling programs to older generations. These efforts have transformed universities into an important part of local community development, providing social services and fostering intergenerational learning.
Sayasat Nurbek also emphasized the economic importance of universities. He cited as an example a successful partnership with the University of Arizona, which opened a branch in Petropavlovsk. This project led to a significant influx of students from different regions of Kazakhstan and Russia, which had a positive impact on the local economy.
"First year, 148 students from 8 regions of Kazakhstan were admitted for bachelors. Second year, students came from 18 regions of Kazakhstan. The very first time in many years and decades, students started coming through this partnership," the minister said.
The influx of students not only benefits local businesses but also spurs regional development. He highlighted how universities are being redefined as "economic anchors", attracting investments and creating jobs in their communities.
Nurbek also spoke about universities’ role in regional research and development. He emphasized how research institutions are now working closely with industrial enterprises.
“We bring all our universities and research institutions, and we run industrial research hackathons. We put our researchers within these industrial factories, where they stay for about a week. Section by section there is progress. We are trying to find solutions that industry, factories and plants have never had the time, resources or desire for,” he pointed out.
The minister underscored that universities in Kazakhstan are not only advancing education and research but are also providing economic and social value to their regions, helping to solve local industry problems and contributing to the overall development of the country.
