Foreign student count in Kazakhstan hits new peak
Kazakhstan is making a bold move to boost its higher education sector and attract global talent. The country's strategy, focused on expanding capacity, improving academic reputation, and fostering partnerships with foreign universities, aims to increase the number of international students to around 100,000 by 2028.
Expanding Higher Education Capacity
The Ministry of Higher Education in Kazakhstan is planning to accommodate about 150,000 international students by 2028-2029. This significant scale-up in educational infrastructure and programs is a clear signal of the country's commitment to attracting foreign students.
Attracting Branch Campuses and Partnerships
There has been a surge in overseas branch campuses from universities of several major countries establishing or planning campuses in Kazakhstan. Institutions like Coventry and De Montfort Universities from the UK, Cardiff University, Wusong University, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) from South Korea have already set up their branches in the country.
Enhancing International Academic Reputation and Practical Learning
Kazakhstan's strategy emphasizes hands-on, globally relevant education, with immersive real-world experiences and international networking opportunities. Programs are designed to appeal to global talent, with a focus on balancing theory and practice, similar to those offered elsewhere.
Leveraging Geostrategic Location
Kazakhstan's geostrategic location, particularly its role as a regional hub, is an advantage in attracting international students. Improvements in China-Europe trade routes, for example, enhance the country's attractiveness by improving connectivity and business opportunities, indirectly supporting student attraction efforts.
Current Trends
This year, residents of Asia, particularly India and China, surpassed those from the CIS countries in the number of students coming to Kazakhstan to study. Unfortunately, Ukraine is no longer a significant player in the Eurasian educational landscape due to its withdrawal from the Bologna Process two years ago.
The "Study in Kazakhstan" Project
The "Study in Kazakhstan" project has been launched to attract international students. The Kazakhstani government offers reciprocal incentives to foreign universities, such as free land for universities building full-fledged campuses in Kazakhstan, and material support for 5-10 years to help ensure the financial sustainability of their branches in Kazakhstan.
One significant part of the strategy is the joint project between the American Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and Nazarbayev University (NU), aimed at developing scientific potential and postgraduate programs at NU and attracting international faculty.
The main goal of the program is to attract talent and establish an international academic reputation for Kazakhstan. As geopolitics continues to shape the Eurasian educational landscape, students are seeking alternatives to traditional academic magnets like Russia and Ukraine, and Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a viable option.
[1] Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021). Strategy for the development of the transnational education market in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2025. Retrieved from https://www.gov.kz/ru/government/activity/readdoc.htm?id=54537
[2] Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021). Strategy for the development of the transnational education market in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2025. Retrieved from https://www.gov.kz/ru/government/activity/readdoc.htm?id=54537
[3] Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021). Strategy for the development of the transnational education market in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2025. Retrieved from https://www.gov.kz/ru/government/activity/readdoc.htm?id=54537
[4] Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021). Strategy for the development of the transnational education market in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2025. Retrieved from https://www.gov.kz/ru/government/activity/readdoc.htm?id=54537
[5] Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2021). Strategy for the development of the transnational education market in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2025. Retrieved from https://www.gov.kz/ru/government/activity/readdoc.htm?id=54537
In the pursuit of strengthening its international academic reputation and attracting global talent, Kazakhstan is planning to establish branch campuses from global universities, such as Coventry and De Montfort Universities from the UK, Cardiff University, Wusong University, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) from South Korea.
The "Study in Kazakhstan" project, initiated by the Kazakhstani government, is leveraging reciprocal incentives, including free land for universities building full-fledged campuses and material support for 5-10 years, to attract international students and enhance the country's general news and education-and-self-development landscape.
