SAYASAT NURBEK MET WITH EKR RESIDENTS: AN OPEN DIALOG ON THE FUTURE OF HIGHER EDUCATION WAS HELD

Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek visited East Kazakhstan. The central point of the program was an open meeting with residents of the region, which was held at Amanzholov University.

The event demonstrates the state’s commitment to the principles of the “Hearing State” aimed at taking into account regional needs and initiatives. Strengthening the role of universities in strategically important regions, such as East Kazakhstan region, reflects the desire to support local points of growth, development of industrial and scientific potential, as well as the formation of modern educational clusters within the framework of long-term scientific and technical policy.

The meeting was attended by teachers, students, civil society and scientific community. The issues of accessibility of higher education in remote regions, support for young scientists, digitalization of education, as well as integration of science and production were among the main topics of discussion.

Special attention in this context is paid to the scientific direction – Sayasat Nurbek emphasized that quality education and developed regional science are the foundation of sustainable development of the country.

According to him, “innovations do not start in the capital, but in the university, which works in the context of real challenges of a particular region.”

-In order to double the size of the national economy by 2029, it is necessary to emphasize science and innovation. The work in this direction has already begun and will continue in an intensified mode. We have a huge responsibility to discuss all emerging issues, set realistic goals and achieve them through joint efforts,” the head of the department emphasized.

During the dialogue Sayasat Nurbek also noted the effective training of in-demand specialists for the labor market.

-Kasym-Jomart Tokayev said in his Address that first of all we have to overcome the acute shortage of sectoral specialists, such as water, construction, energy and many others, as well as to train specialists in the professions of the future,” Sayasat Nurbek said.

According to him, to date, the work is carried out in the following areas: identification of needs, forecasting and planning of training of specialists in cooperation with employers according to their requirements and demands. Creation of anchor centers of competence on the model of academic excellence. Synchronization of educational programs based on the best international practices and technologies.

It should be noted that the priority areas for training and innovation development are determined taking into account regional specifics within the framework of the project “Mamandyғym-bolashagym”. This project allows to monitor and predict changes in the labor market and promptly respond to them.

The head of the agency also emphasized the new program of training of pedagogical staff, which is especially relevant in the context of teacher shortage.

-By 2030 Kazakhstan will need more than 236,000 teachers. Now 30 innovative educational programs are being implemented in universities, teachers from 49 universities are already studying in them, and the emphasis is on research and digital competencies. In this regard, we place great emphasis on supporting higher education institutions. For example, Amanzholov University perfectly covers the shortage of such specialists. In 2023, the need for pedagogical staff in VKO amounted to 230 people. In the same year, the university graduated 689 ready specialists and fully covered the need in the region and other regions of Kazakhstan. In addition, the alma mater conducts continuous training in 32 educational programs in the direction of “Education”, – said the Minister.

In addition, he touched upon international cooperation and the entry of domestic universities on the world stage. In this direction, the speaker noted the activities of Amanzholov University together with the University of Genoa. Recall, the parties signed a memorandum, which involves the opening of a branch of a foreign university on the basis of the alma mater, joint internships, scientific events, conferences.

Also in East Kazakhstan University named after S. Amanzholov there are double-degree Master’s degree programs in several fields of study: “Sports Management”, “International Economics” with the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio and “Sustainable Tourism and Destination Management” with the University of Genoa.

During the informative meeting Sayasat Nurbek shared the main plans for the coming years, which are aimed at improving the quality of education and supporting scientific research. Thus, it is planned to increase the share of updated laboratory equipment to 20% by 2025, with further growth to 40% by 2029. Today, work is underway to create a unified e-lab portal to coordinate collective laboratory use.

Digitalization of education has not been neglected. The AI-Sana program has already started and will reach 100,000 participants, including students and teachers. The program was developed in partnership with the world’s leading universities – Stanford, Imperial College London – and is aimed at the development of artificial intelligence and new technologies.

At the end of the event Sayasat Nurbek held a personal reception of citizens, thanks to which it is possible to promptly solve specific appeals and identify systemic errors. The questions of citizens concerned educational grants, scholarships, conditions in dormitories, etc.