Kazakhstan’s Higher Education and Science: From Reform to Results

As the year draws to a close, it offers an important moment for reflection — especially for those working in science and higher education. Universities, laboratories, and classrooms are not merely places of learning; they are where decisions are made today that shape the country’s tomorrow. For Kazakhstan, 2025 has been a year when reforms in education and research began to translate into measurable results.

Over the past year, Kazakhstan’s system of science and higher education has entered a phase of practical implementation. A total of 267 scientific projects are currently under development, with 62 new commercialization contracts signed in 2025 alone. Private investment in science reached 20.4 billion tenge, signaling not a one-off contribution, but the emergence of a sustainable trend toward research-driven growth.

One of our key priorities has been strengthening the link between science and the real economy. New R&D centers have been launched, and applied research initiatives are underway across critical sectors — from metallurgy and energy to advanced materials and future technologies. The potential market value of several scientific solutions developed by Kazakhstani researchers is already estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. These outcomes demonstrate that science in Kazakhstan is increasingly competitive and globally relevant.

Universities, in turn, are evolving beyond their traditional role as teaching institutions. They are becoming centers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and regional development. This shift is reflected in international recognition: 20 Kazakhstani universities are now represented in the QS World University Rankings 2026, and Nazarbayev University has entered the global top 500 for the first time in its history.

The year marked a turning point in the integration of artificial intelligence into the education system. For the first time, AI was introduced not in isolated initiatives but as a comprehensive, system-wide reform spanning school education, higher education, and professional development for educators. Artificial intelligence became a mandatory subject across all universities, while dozens of new academic tracks in AI, data science, and digital technologies were launched for students from a wide range of disciplines.

The national AI-Sana program was introduced to promote applied learning, project-based education, and the development of practical digital skills. In parallel, a large-scale training initiative for teachers and university faculty was implemented, enabling hundreds of thousands of educators to integrate AI tools into teaching practices — from personalized learning and performance analytics to the creation of digital educational content. Schools began the phased introduction of AI fundamentals and digital ethics, laying the groundwork for the development of AI competencies from an early age. These reforms are supported by the adoption of national standards for AI use in education and by the expansion of international cooperation, including Kazakhstan’s participation in global AI education initiatives.

In parallel, internationalization remains a cornerstone of our strategy. In 2025 alone, nine branch campuses of leading foreign universities were established in Kazakhstan. Today, 33 international campuses operate across the country, integrating global academic standards into the national education system and creating new opportunities for students, faculty, and joint research.

Yet the most important element of any reform is people. In 2025, 576 young scientists received housing support, significantly improving their social stability. The number of educational grants increased to 93,000, student stipends were raised, and the construction of student dormitories continued nationwide. Sustainable reform is impossible without investing in human capital and ensuring that talented individuals can focus on learning, research, and innovation.

Universities also expanded entrepreneurship initiatives this year. Flagship programs launched late in the year included Social Startup 2025 at Nazarbayev University, providing funding, mentorship, and business training to student ventures addressing real social challenges. These programs illustrate a broader national shift toward embedding entrepreneurship into academic life, where students can transform research and creative ideas into sustainable ventures, linking innovation directly to economic development.

We are especially proud of our students. In 2025, Kazakhstan’s national student team won 23 medals at international university competitions. Their ideas, projects, and achievements are the clearest evidence that our education system is moving in the right direction.

Looking ahead to 2026, we see a year of greater responsibility and higher expectations. Our goal is to continue building an open, modern, and fair system of education and science — one that provides equal opportunities, encourages excellence, and contributes directly to the country’s long-term development.

Kazakhstan views education and research not as isolated sectors, but as strategic investments in the future. In a rapidly changing world, knowledge remains the most reliable foundation for sustainable growth, innovation, and international cooperation. We welcome dialogue and partnership with European and global institutions that share this vision.