Education - Kazakhstan-World Bank Joint Economic Research Program

Introduction -In 2006 the Republic of Kazakhstan declared that a key goal of the country was to become one of the world's 50 most competitive economies by 2015. This goal, while challenging, is within the realm of possibility for Kazakhstan given that Kazakhstan is ranked 56 on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) - not far from the top 50. Nevertheless, higher education Kazakhstan currently ranks at number 51 whereas on innovation, another pillar, its ranking is 70th. This breakdown offers insight into areas were Kazakhstan will have to make the most far-reaching reforms in its higher education and national innovation systems to achieve its objective by 2015. As part of the agenda of achieving the status as one of the 50 most competitive economies, the Republic of Kazakhstan is developing a new scientific and education complex entitled the University of Astana. The goal behind the development of this new institution is to establish a university which will be part of elite universities worldwide that lead the way in excellence in education and research that are critical in incubating knowledge economies... >> More

In the last decade Kazakhstan has seen the growth of its higher education sector with an expansion of existing institutions and increased number of newly established private universities. Currently there are 177 universities in Kazakhstan, 68 public and 109 private with 5 branches of Russian universities. In 2004/2005 there were approximately 750,000 students enrolled in higher education out of a population of over 15 million. Kazakhstan has entered the Bologna process and the government has prioritized international accreditation of universities, institutional capacity building, and greater access of tertiary education to overcome regional inequalities. Kazakhstan's legacy from the former USSR is a strong one. In 1990, Kazakhstan was an important part of the Soviet scientific research community and is the most industrialized of the former Soviet republics in Central Asia. The first decade of transition saw the higher education sector suffer but since 2000 the Government has given this sector increasing priority on its agenda. The country has high levels of literacy (97%) and has achieved near universal primary education. Eleven years of schooling are mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 17. In 2005 participation rates stood at 99.3% for 7 to 10 years old, 99.8% for 11 to 15 years old, and 86.7% for 16 to 17 years old. All education from primary to tertiary is free or financed by grants provided by the government.

The challenge for Kazakhstan is to modernize its higher education sector particularly if the University of Astana is to deliver on its ambitious objectives. The challenge is to ensure that the university is launched and administered under an institutional structure which offers the dividends from a knowledge economy. This requires developing a modern administrative structure, innovative curricula, quality assurance practices, rules of engagement for universities and industry, as well as twinning arrangements with top-rate universities around the world. The challenge is particularly imminent as the first students admissions to the University of Astana are expected in 2009.

The World Bank received a request by the MOES Government of Kazakhstan for technical assistance on the establishment of the University of Astana. The technical assistance is being financed under the umbrella of the Kazakhstan World Bank Joint Economic Research Program (JERP.) JERP is a package of reimbursable technical assistance to the Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) of Kazakhstan. The objective of the technical assistance is for the World Bank to contribute to the design and implementation of the new University of Astana within the framework of broader quality reform of the higher education sector. This requires the development of a modern administrative structure, innovative curricula, quality assurance practices, rules of engagement for universities and industry, as well as twinning arrangements with top-rate universities around the world.

The World Bank’s program of technical assistance is composed of three elements:

- Workshop on the Strategy for the University of Astana
- Partnership Development Tour (PDT)
- Partnership Development Forum (PDF)

WORKSHOP ON STRATEGY FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ASTANA

A Workshop on Strategy for the University of Astana, Kazakhstan was held in Astana on December 16-17, 2008 under the umbrella of the Kazakhstan World Bank JERP. The Workshop was held in response to a request by the MOES, Government of Kazakhstan for technical assistance on the establishment of the University of Astana, which is a new institution being established as part of the Kazakhstan’s goal of achieving the status as one of the 50 most competitive economies in the world. This workshop was led by the World Bank to provide the global knowledge necessary for the successful design and implementation of the new university within the broader development of a National Higher Education Strategy. This goal is to help the University of Astana develop a clear, strong governance structure, financing plan, quality assurance framework, and internationalization strategy.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TOUR

The Partnership Development Tour (PDT) is an opportunity for a high level delegation from the Kazakh Ministry of Education and Science (MOES) to meet with academics and administrators from higher education institutions in the United States, Singapore, Qatar, and the UK to better understand the challenges in launching a new public university in the capital city of Astana. The high-level delegation will see first-hand a range of governance structures, financing mechanisms, quality assurance systems, internationalization strategies and curriculum development at established, top-ranked universities on the one hand, while gaining exposure to the recent experiences of young, emerging universities on the other. The objective is to apply the lessons learned to the establishment and expansion of the new university of Astana. The tour hosted institutions to learn about the concept and strategy of the University of Astana. The Executive Secretary of Education and science, Mr. Farkhad Kuanganov, led the delegation from Kazakhstan. The tour took place from February 5 to March 2, 2009.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FORUM

This is the third element of The World Bank JERP. The Partnership Development Forum (PDF) will be held on April 23th-24th 2009. The objective of the PDF will be to invite key potential partners and friends of the University to Astana for an opportunity to see the project itself and to brainstorm on different elements of strategy. It will also give the MOES an opportunity to build on relationships established during the PDT and to finalize MOUs for which they hopefully laid the groundwork during the PDT. The current proposed format of the PSF is a two day workshop with a narrow focus on a number of critical issues facing the university. Room will be provided within the format for bi-lateral discussion to finalize partnering relationships. The MOES has agreed to undertake the arrangement for this workshop.

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Kazakhstan-World Bank Joint Economic Research Program