Foreign student count in Kazakhstan hits an all-time peak
Kazakhstan is making strides in attracting international students, aiming to reach a record-breaking 100,000 foreign students by 2028. This ambitious goal is being pursued through a strategic approach that includes the "Study in Kazakhstan" campaign, partnerships with foreign universities, and government support.
Key Components of the Strategy
- Study in Kazakhstan Campaign: This initiative, designed to popularise education in Kazakhstan, focuses on attracting talent and enhancing the country's international academic reputation. The campaign targets students from diverse regions, particularly Asia, where Indian and Chinese students now outnumber those from CIS countries.
- Partnerships with Foreign Universities: Kazakhstan is expanding its partnerships with academic institutions worldwide. The government offers incentives such as free land for foreign universities to build campuses, which is expected to attract more international institutions.
- Government Support: The Kazakh government is actively involved in promoting education as part of its broader internationalization strategy. This includes specific measures to support the growth of international student numbers, demonstrating a commitment to establishing Kazakhstan as a significant educational hub.
Progress
Last year, Kazakhstan achieved a record enrollment of 31,500 foreign students, marking an all-time high and reflecting the success of its efforts so far. The student body is becoming more diverse, with students from Asia, particularly India and China, leading the growth. There is also a notable increase in students from countries like Russia.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Attracting More Foreign Institutions: Offering incentives like free land for foreign universities is crucial to expanding partnerships and attracting more students.
- Competition from Other Educational Hubs: Kazakhstan faces competition from established educational centers around the world, requiring continuous innovation and promotion of its unique offerings.
Kazakhstan's strategy is focused on leveraging its unique cultural and academic strengths, combined with strategic partnerships and government support, to achieve its ambitious target by 2028. The country's demographic boom and the growing demand for higher education are further catalysts for this ambitious endeavour.
Over the past three years, Kazakhstan has opened five branches of foreign universities, including Coventry and De Montfort universities in the UK, Cardiff University, Wusong University, and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea. To attract more foreign students and meet the demand for higher education in Kazakhstan, the state is expanding international cooperation in this sphere. The focus is on the Eurasian region, where youth under 25 years old makes up more than half of the two-billion population.
The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and Nazarbayev University (NU) have launched a joint project, considered a "jewel," to develop scientific potential and postgraduate programs at NU and attract foreign faculty. The authorities of Kazakhstan aim to increase the number of international students to 100,000 by 2028. The strategy to achieve this goal includes the development of transnational education (TNE) and the launch of the "Study in Kazakhstan" project. The main goal of these programs is to attract talent and establish Kazakhstan's international academic reputation.
The Eurasian educational landscape is being reshaped due to geopolitical changes. This year, residents of Asia, particularly India and China, studying in Kazakhstan outnumbered those from the CIS countries. Foreign universities in Kazakhstan are entitled to all tax exemptions and receive material support for 5-10 years to ensure financial stability. The growing demand for education in Kazakhstan among Russians is influenced by geopolitics, as Russia withdrew from the Bologna Process two years ago and Ukraine is no longer an academic magnet in the region.
- The "Study in Kazakhstan" project, a key component of the strategy, aims to attract talent and enhance Kazakhstan's international academic reputation, focusing particularly on students from Asia, including India and China.
- Kazakhstan's ambitious goal of reaching 100,000 foreign students by 2028 is not only about education; it's also a significant move in the country's politics and self-development, as stated in its broader internationalization strategy, which includes fostering political ties through educational collaborations and promoting general news about Kazakhstan's educational growth.
