• HIGHER EDUCATION IN KAZAKHSTAN

HIGHER EDUCATION IN
KAZAKHSTAN
I. Overall description
II. Current challenges and needs
– Trends and challenges
– The Bologna Process
III. Participation in EU programmes
– Tempus
– Erasmus Mundus
IV. Bibliographical references and websites
The higher education system in Kazakhstan
 I. Overall description
1. Major characteristics of The new Law “On Education” was adopted on
tertiary education in the 27 July 2007 and takes into consideration
international standards in the field of education
country in view of Kazakhstan joining the World Trade
Organisation and integration with the Bologna
Legislation covering the field of process.
tertiary education
Types of tertiary education
The major law providing a general framework
programmes and qualifications
for the development of Higher Education in
Kazakhstan is the Law “On Education” (1999,
Higher education can be obtained by citizens
2007). In July 2004 a Law “On introducing
who have completed general secondary,
amendments and changes to the Law "On
technical and vocational education or further
Education" of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was
education. On a competitive basis, citizens
adopted. It marked an important step in
have the right to free higher education.
strengthening and improving the legislative
and normative provisions of higher and post- In accordance with the Law of the RK “On
higher education. It considerably tightened Education” (2007) the following levels and
qualification requirements for the operation of qualifications have been established:
higher education institutions and affiliated
branches. New standards were introduced for 1) Higher basic education – Bachelor
full-time staff members. programme (Bakalavriat) - with a duration
of study of 4 years;
The operation of affiliated branches was
restricted to social sciences, humanities and 2) Post-higher education includes Master
scientific disciplines only. Concerning the programmes (magistratura) in two areas:
background to these branches, in the 1990s scientific-pedagogic education with
when it was setting up private educational duration of two years of studies, and profile
institutions was permitted and when the with duration of one year of studies. Both
legislative base had not yet been stabilised areas are built on the basic higher
many new educational institutions emerged, in education, i.e. Bachelor studies.
particular, for higher education. Among them
there were many affiliated branches of HEIs 3) Doctoral studies comprising preparing
officially registered and physically located in Doctors of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctors in
other countries. The content of education was selected profiles (Doktorantura) upon
not consistent with Kazakhstani legislation and completion of Master programmes. The
normative documents. It was difficult to duration of study is a minimum of 3 years.
control the quality of services provided. To
strengthen the quality of training and to Post-higher medical and pharmaceutical
control the teaching and learning process it education includes resident, Master and
was decided to restrict the foundation of doctoral studies. Resident programmes include
affiliated branches. in-depth training in clinical specialties with a
duration of 2 to 4 years of study depending on
The requirements related to the material and the specialisation. In selected specialties of
technical base of HEIs and the availability of medical studies the duration of study
own facilities were increased. To enhance the comprises seven years, and the final year of
quality of education and strengthen state study is organised in the form of internships.
control in the system of education, the Unified Post-higher education as the senior level
National Test (UNT) and Interim State Control (cycle) of continuing education is aimed at
(ISC) were introduced. The ISC is a national preparing highly qualified scientific and
exam conducted by the National Centre of pedagogic staff. It is organised through
State Educational Standards and Testing and clinical, post-graduate, and stagiaire studies,
involves second year students of all subjects and through post-graduate work at a military
except medicine (for medicine, the ISC is academy, doctoral studies, granting research
conducted during the 3rd year of study). leaves, and so on.
The State Education Development Programme Types of tertiary education
for 2005-2010, adopted in 2004, laid the basis institutions
for introducing from 2005 the three-cycle
system of higher and post-higher education The higher education institutions (HEIs)
(“Bachelor-Master-PhD”) and a credit functioning in Kazakhstan are universities,
accumulation system. academies or institutes. Conservatories, higher
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schools and higher colleges have a similar various fields. Compared to public universities,
status. The type of higher education institution private HEIs have more operational autonomy
(HEI) is determined at the stage of licensing and greater management flexibility. While
and depends on the number of higher and public higher education institutions have their
post-higher education programmes and own budgets and freedom to spend them
orientation of research work. The type is within the parameters the ministry has laid
reasserted during state attestation and down, private institutions can purchase their
accreditation. own equipment, books and study materials.
They also can and often do pay teaching staff
An Institute (Institut) is an institution that better than the public HEIs. Private HEIs are
implements professional educational also free to choose the subjects to teach. State
programmes of higher education in one or two higher education institutions are not owners of
groups of specialties, carries out research and their land and buildings while private
pedagogic activities, up-grading of universities can be owners of their land and
qualifications and retraining of staff; buildings.
An Academy (Akademia) is an educational However many important decisions that affect
institution implementing educational the academic operation of HEIs are made by
programmes of higher and post-higher the Ministry of Education and Science (MES).
education in one or two groups of specialties, The funding of public HEIs to purchase
carries out research and pedagogic activities, equipment and provide salaries for staff is set
up-grading of qualifications and retraining of centrally. Theectors of public HEIs are
staff; appointed by the President (for national
universities), and by the government – for
A University (Universitet) is an educational other public HEIs.
institution implementing professional
educational programmes of higher and post- For both types of institutions autonomy does
higher education in three and more groups of not extend to curricula, the organisation of
specialities (medical universities – in two and teaching, admission, awarding own degrees.
more), carries out research and pedagogic For instance, public universities require the
activities, upgrading qualifications and Ministry’s permission to set up new courses.
retraining of staff, and is a leading scientific
and methodological centre in a specific area of Neither type of institution has autonomy over
activity; curricula and admissions. They also have to
fulfil state standards related to the content of
The number of HEIs has grown dramatically education, examination and graduation
since 1993 when the government legislated to standards and quality assurance procedures.
allow the setting up of non-state (private) Student entry standards are also set by the
universities. MES through UNT (Unified National Test) pass
scores.
At present there are 144 higher education
institutions (55 State HEIs and 89 private). The rectors of public HEIs are appointed by the
The number of non-state (private) institutions government. Appointment and dismissal of the
was gradually increasing until 2001 and started academic staff is the responsibility of HEIs.
to decline in 2002. Terms of service and pay are regulated by the
government, but public HEIs have the
In line with the Law “On Education” (1999), authority to adjust salaries by topping up from
selected state higher education institutions non-budget resources.
were granted the special status of “national
universities”. This status is awarded to 9 HEIs 3. Governing bodies of the
who are considered to be most capable of
leading the system in cutting-edge research Higher Education Institutions
(fundamental, applied or entrepreneurial) and
in improving teaching and learning. At present the governing body of a higher
education institution (HEI) is the Academic
(Scientific) Council, which is a collegial body.
2. Distribution of Its membership is confined to representatives
responsibilities of the academic staff, students and public
bodies, as well as of the administrative staff of
In accordance with legislation, public and the higher education institution.
private education institutions operate on equal
terms on many issues. For certain aspects of Members of the Academic Council are elected
operation they have some degree of for 3 years at a general meeting by secret
autonomy. Both public and private HEIs can ballot; the procedure depends on the
hire their own staff (except for the rector in institution. The general rule is that all
public ones), can establish direct links with subdivisions should be represented. The
national and international partners, and average number of members is 25-40 per
conclude contracts on mutual cooperation in
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university. In big universities it can be around the economy, the reproduction of qualified
100. labour resources and the intellectual potential
of society, as well as the methodological
All members of the Academic Council have the provision of the system of education.
right to vote. Voting by secret ballot is used
when issues are considered sensitive (election In other words, by means of the State
of teachers for competitive positions, awarding Education Order the state regulates how many
professorship status, and so on). When the specialists in what field should be trained.
issues considered refer to approving the While the majority of school graduates want to
curricula, methodological documents, etc., be lawyers, economists and similar, the state
voting is open. observes that there is a greater need for
teachers, agricultural specialists, doctors,
The chairperson of the Academic Council is engineers to be trained to fill in the new
Rector. The responsibilities of the Academic vacancies and replace retired specialists.
Council are: Therefore the state will allocate funds (grants)
needed for the training of the required profile
1) Creating conditions for learners and of specialists. Those who would like to choose
academic staff to enable them to prestigious jobs, which are not urgently
implement professional education needed in the labour market, have to cover the
programmes; cost of education and training on their own.
2) Providing financial support, strengthening The government annually allocates budgetary
the material and technical base of HEI; funds for education in respect of its priorities.
These priorities are defined based on the
3) Contributing to the further development country's needs in specialists. Kazakhstan has
of the HEI. introduced public educational grants which
provide selected students with access to the
The competences of the Academic Council are institution of their choice. These grants are
quite numerous. Among them are: awarded by the Ministry of Education and
Science by state orders to winners of “Altyn
1) Approving the structure of the HEI;
Belgi” (Golden) medals, winners of
international Olympiads and on a competitive
2) Introducing amendments and
basis and based on state orders for specific
supplementing the HEI Charter; Each
disciplines and languages, to students who
higher education institution has its own
have successfully passed the Unified National
Charter (Statute). The Academic Council
Test. For instance, in 2009 out of the overall
can make amendments and complement
number of 33 840 grants for training
the Charter if needed.
specialists with higher education 8075 were
3) Creating, reorganising and terminating allocated for education (teacher training), 770
HEI training and other subdivisions for humanities, 230 for law, 220 – art, 810 –
(laboratories, chairs, faculties, etc.); for social sciences and business, natural
science – 1000,technical sciences and
4) Determining the conception of the HEI’s technologies – 11465, agriculture – 1600,
development; health and social provision – around 5000, etc.
This means that the priorities in 2009 were
5) Making decisions on fundamental matters education, technical sciences and technologies,
of HEI operation (teaching, research and health and social provision (medicine).
economic activities);
Financing of private educational institutions is
6) Hearing the accounts of the Rector, carried out via the rendering (sale) of
Deputy Rectors and heads of structural educational services, the finances of their
subdivisions on various aspects of HEI founders and other sources, which are not
operations; prohibited by the legislation of the Republic of
Kazakhstan. Private organisations of technical
and vocational education and higher education
4. Financing
having passed state certification can
Article 43 of the Law "On Education” indicates participate in the fulfillment of the State
that higher education is financed based on the Educational Order through training students
State Education Order. Thus, in order to who have received state educational loans and
regulate the training of specialists, the state grants on a competitive basis.
(through the Ministry of Education and
There is a sustainable tendency of increasing
Science) draws up the Order each year. It is
appropriations for the provision of the
financed by the state and can cover the
education system. During the last five years
number of training specialists in the field of
public allocations for education have increased
preschool education, training, upgrading
in absolute terms by more than 3 times and in
qualifications and retraining of qualified
2008 made up 641 061 million tenge (or
workers and specialists to satisfy the needs of
rounded up to 641 billion tenge).
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There is an increasing share of public financing students. This means that some universities
both as a share of the state budget as well as set higher fees.
a share of GDP. At the same time this share is
still insufficient to provide sustainable A certain number of students win scholarships
development of the education system at the or find sponsorship. Those students who score
level recommended by UNESCO - 6-7% of highest in the UNT and take courses defined by
GDP. At present the share of government the government as of national or regional
funding for higher education in the overall priority receive public grants.
education budget remains low – less than
10,0%. Since 1999 Kazakhstan has introduced a new,
voucher-like, education grants system in
To compensate for the low level of public higher education. The eligibility of holders of
funding the government has adopted a multi- grants is determined by the score applicants
channel resource mobilisation strategy. In receive during the highly competitive Unified
1999 the direct recurrent budget transfer to National test (UNT), and their subject choice.
public tertiary education institutions was This replaced the previously existing university
replaced by voucher-like education grants that entrance examinations. In other words, the
beneficiary students can use to enrol in the government money (voucher) is allocated to
public or private institution of their choice. grant beneficiaries who themselves decide
what institution to choose – irrespective
At present the number of students who receive whether it is public or private. Grants are
government grants is less than 20%. mainly available for priority fields selected
Consequently the share of private payments is centrally and determined by employment
increasing and makes up over 85% of total projections.
revenues.
In addition to the education grant scheme
There is a group of higher education there are a number of incentives available for
institutions funded directly by the government students.
(e.g., conservatoires).
According to the Law “On education” of the
Along with core funding provided through the Republic of Kazakhstan, the state fully or
education grants, extra-budgetary resources partially bears the expenses for citizens who
are allocated to the public HEIs for special need social support in the period of receiving
development projects. These might be for such an education. Since 2005 the government has
purposes as recruiting foreign visiting adopted a package of measures aimed at the
professors, equipping new laboratories, etc. social support of students, including various
scholarships (stipends). Presidential
There is also one more channel of funding for Specialised Scholarships are awarded to full
public science and research. Most of the time students of public and private HEIs based
funding is disbursed by the Ministry of on their overall academic performance. If they
Education and Science to research institutes qualify, education grant holders are eligible to
and universities through direct subsidies and receive state scholarships in addition to their
the remaining part – through competitive grants. A reduction of travel expenses is
grants. available for students (for daily public
transport and twice a year they can have a
Public expenditure per student in higher reduced travel ticket for railway and intercity
education is increasing annually. In 2008 it bus communication). The latter is a very
came to 187,600 tenge (around 1,000 €) and important issue for students who come from
this was directly linked to the increase in the rural regions.
number of allocated grants (in 2007 - 33190
grants, in 2008 - 33490 grants). There are many privileges for students
available at the level of individual HEIs. To
5. Students' contributions and support and encourage students, HEIs have set
up their own grants for various selected groups
financial support
of students. For example, a reduction of fees
The ministry lays down the minimum amounts by 15- 50% for those students with high
academic performance, for two students and
universities should spend per student on
more from the same family, students from
providing courses. This amount is charged to
students by universities and varies from disadvantaged families, married students
disabled students, students who have children,
259 0001 tenge for Bachelor studies in ordinary
prominent sportsmen, etc.
universities to 505 000 tenge in national
universities in 2010. The level of grants in such
Those students who did not receive
HEIs as military, police and similar academies
government grants have to pay tuition fees.
is higher. Private universities may charge more
The amount of the tuition fee must be
if they believe they will be able to recruit
equivalent to the amount of the education
grant which is established by the government.
1
In Euro: 179,62 tenge per Euro
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6. Licensing, quality assurance content and quality, as well as to the
qualification requirements reported during the
and accreditation of institutions licensing process.
and/or programmes
Accreditation is the process by which an
The principal authority responsible for the accreditation body evaluates the quality of the
evaluation of HEIs and programmes in services provided by an HEI in order to
Kazakhstan is the Ministry of Education and formally recognise it as having met certain
Science (MES). The MES defines general policy predetermined criteria and standards. The
and strategy. The MES has established a result of this process is usually the awarding of
number of government agencies and the status of recognised body. Accreditation at
government-based committees to monitor and present is conducted by Accreditation Centres
improve the quality of the higher education – government-based or independent.
system. All of them are answerable to the MES
and whatever their functions are, the final The internal assessment of education quality is
decision is made by the MES. the responsibility of HEIs themselves and
includes a system of quality management,
In Kazakhstan a comprehensive legal various procedures of self-assessment, and
framework has been developed to address monitoring of academic achievements.
issues of higher education quality. Among Assessment of HEI operation also includes the
them are various normative documents opinion of students on the quality of the
regulating the process of external assessment: teaching process. The quality assurance
procedures and accreditation mechanisms are
- Rules on licensing education activity the same both for public and private HEIs.
approved by Government Decree, (2000);
During recent years, considerable efforts have
- Regulation on state attestation of been made to ensure the quality of HEIs and
education institutions – Government the educational services provided, moving
Decree (1999); towards a decentralised quality assurance
approach. It has resulted in the establishment
- Rules on state accreditation of education of various government-based agencies and,
institutions – Government Decree (2001). lately, the involvement of independent
agencies (e.g., Accreditation Centres). At
In addition there are a number of supporting present the move from quality control towards
documents (instructions, methodological quality assurance is gaining strength. The
recommendations, etc.). National system for Education Quality
Assessment (NCEQA) is to be fully functional
At present the evaluation of HEIs and by 2010. Its purpose is to conduct the overall
programmes is arranged through external and assessment of education at all levels.
internal assessment of education quality. Ultimately, the NCEQA intends to conduct
External assessment includes state control in research and analysis, providing information
higher education through licensing (conditions that can be used as a basis for decision making
for the educational process), state attestation processes at government and institutional
(content of education) and accreditation levels. Its operation will definitely contribute to
(results). A newly introduced tool for interim enhancing the competitiveness of the national
control is the Comprehensive National Mid- system of education based on a comparative
Term Test that all second year students (third analysis of international levels.
year students of medicine) must take. Only
those who have passed this test are allowed to
remain enrolled. Those who are able to stay
7. Admission
take a final test at the end of their courses.
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Licensing defines specific standards and guarantees citizens the right to free tertiary
qualification requirements for educational education on a competitive basis and to paid
activities by type and kind. The issue of a education provided that applicants meet the
licence indicates that the conditions are fit to established standards. Admission to HEIs is
implement activities related to higher carried out based on the Standard Admission
education. Licences are awarded by the Rules approved by an Order of the Ministry of
Committee for Supervision and Attestation in Education and Science which can be amended
Education and Science. The duration is not and complemented when necessary.
limited. It can be suspended or removed.
The admission of students leaving secondary
State attestation of HEIs is carried out once schools is based on the results of the Unified
every five years by a commission chaired by a National Test (UNT). Graduates of former
representative of the MES. Attestation judges years, graduates of initial and secondary
the effectiveness and adequacy of an HEI. vocational schools, graduates of secondary
Attestation defines whether HEIs are meeting schools who have studied abroad and some
state compulsory education standards for level, other categories must pass a Comprehensive
Test (CT) which is administered using the
6
same procedures as the UNT. All HEIs have to preferential treatment. The same applies to
comply with UNT regulations. The UNT is Kazakh children who are citizens of other
administered simultaneously throughout the countries. Grants can be awarded also to
country. Since 2007 it has had the status of a foreign citizens and persons without nationality
state secret and is treated accordingly in terms who permanently live in Kazakhstan, as well as
of security and involvement of the relevant citizens of the Russian Federation, Belarus,
structures. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz
Republic. Other foreign citizens and individuals
The content of the UNT and CT is based on the without citizenship can be admitted to HEIs in
curricula of general secondary education in 4 the order established by legislation as well as
subjects, three of which are compulsory – the by international agreements ratified by the
mother tongue, Kazakh history and Republic of Kazakhstan.
Mathematics. The fourth “profile” subject is
chosen by the student and depends on his Admission of students who are older than a
career choice. The results are evaluated based typical tertiary education student is the same
on a 100 point scale. A minimum of 40 points as for “traditional” students. I.e., they have to
is required for admission to an HEI, for pass the Comprehensive Test and then follow
medicine – 60 points. Applicants with at least the same rules and procedures. For those with
30 points can be admitted to TVET (Technical vocational/professional qualifications there are
and Vocational Education and Training) two ways. Those who would like to apply for a
colleges. state grant will have to pass the
Comprehensive Test and also participate in the
TVET colleges are institutions implementing competition. A decision on the admission of
programmes of general secondary education applicants who do not claim a state grant and
and training programmes for vocational can cover the cost of their education on their
technical and vocational post-secondary own is made based on an interview at the HEI
education. The first level is a mainly vocational where he/she would like to study. In either
programme, the second level concerns the case these applicants will be admitted to the
training of specialists for post-secondary, but second year of study if the profile of their
not higher, education. Examples are primary previous education is similar to the one of their
school teachers, dental prosthetists, etc. choice.
Students with scores of less than 30 can only
apply to the first level, hence the mainly According to the latest statistics there are
vocational programme. around 610 000 students studying in HEIs,
320 000 of them in state HEIs and 290 000 in
The admission procedure to Kazakh higher private. Around 170 000 new students are
education is carried out as follows: admitted to HEIs per year.
- Step 1: The UNT and CT are administered by 8. Organisation of the academic
the National Centre of State Standards and
Testing and marked using advanced year
information technology. Applicants taking the
UNT and CTreceive a State Certificate The Ministry of Education and Science
indicating the scores achieved. determines the beginning and end of the
academic year in educational institutions
- Step 2: A Republican Commission awards irrelevant of the form of ownership and
state education grants in selected subordination. The academic year starts on
specialisations based on the applications of HEI September 1 which is officially announced as
entrants and the scores of their State the Day of Knowledge. The length of the
Certificates. The results of the UNT are teaching and learning process in HEIs is
published in the national press and on the determined within the framework of the
website of the Ministry. academic year which consists of academic
periods (semesters), a period of interim
- Step 3. Holders of state education grants attestation/final assessment, practical work
select an HEI and apply to the HEI of their and an academic break (vacation).
choice. The university commission accepts and
registers them as students. An academic period is a period of theoretical
education which is determined by an HEI
To improve access to higher education for independently for an academic year in one of
disadvantaged groups of the population, the following forms: semester, trimester or
quotas have been established for awards of quarter. The duration of study in all study
public education grants to rural students for years, except for the final (graduation) year, is
priority social and economic disciplines, Kazakh a minimum of 30 weeks. The duration of
ethnic minorities, who are not citizens of examination sessions is 4 weeks minimum
Kazakhstan, disabled children, orphans and during one academic year. Upon completion of
children without parental support. In the case each academic period the students have
of equal scores in the UNT and CT, orphans academic breaks. The duration of vacations in
and children who need support receive an academic year is a minimum of 8 weeks.
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9. Curriculum content 10. Assessment, progression,
certification and degree
Curriculum design and delivery is normally
regulated by the Ministry of Education and Conditions for progression from one year to
Science. State standards are followed for core the next are regulated by an Order of Minister
courses in all academic programmes offered by of Education and Science. According to the
both public and private HEIs. Order it is mandatory to fulfill all the
requirements of the curriculum of the previous
State Compulsory Education Standards are
academic period and pass an interim
developed in line with the Government Decree
assessment (attestation).
“On the procedure of developing, approving
and term of validity of state compulsory When a student