Today, at a press conference at the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek spoke about the ongoing work to open branches of foreign universities. Also present at the media briefing was Mark Biggs, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University.

The minister noted that the foreign branch of the university is a rapidly developing phenomenon in the field of transnational education.

“The head of state instructed to open at least 5 branches of prestigious foreign universities in the country by 2025. Currently, about 20 of the strongest foreign universities have been invited to Kazakhstan. In the new academic year, 8 more strong branches will be opened,” said Sayasat Nurbek.

Today, the main emphasis is on universities with international campuses, including their partnerships with Kazakh universities. A map of regional needs has been generated. When opening branches of foreign universities, 3 modules are used (opening on the basis of domestic universities, with financing through the provision of state educational grants; through a strategic partnership model by concluding an agreement with financing through the provision of state educational grants; on the basis of domestic universities, with financing from investors and providing a package of preferences).

The minister noted that a total of 14 branches and strategic partnerships have been created since 2021, and preparatory work is underway for 8. Thus, by obtaining a franchise in 2021 inA branch of the British university De Montfort University has opened in Almaty, where they study business specialties. This year, a branch of Coventry University in Kazakhstan will be created using this model.

In his speech, Sayasat Nurbek noted that work continues on the creation of branches of a number of foreign universities. In particular, the Russian Chemical-Technological University named after. D.I. Mendeleev on the basis of Taraz Regional University named after. M. Dulati for training in the field of chemistry and chemical technology; Gazi University (Türkiye) on the basis of the South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University for the training of teaching staff; Beijing University of Languages ​​and Culture (PRC) on the basis of Astana International University; Queen's University (Ireland) based at Narxoz University. Work is underway on cooperation with KAIST and Woosong University (South Korea).

During the briefing, it was also noted that it is planned to create the following branches of foreign universities aimed at training scientific and pedagogical personnel. Thus, on the basis of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, it is planned to open a branch of the Northwestern Polytechnic University (PRC) for training masters in engineering, the University of Hong Kong on the basis of the Kazakh National Research Technical University. K. Satpayev for the preparation of PhD doctors in the field of artificial intelligence.

The minister also said that this year, on the basis of ENU named after L. Gumilyov will create a second workshop Luban (PRC).

Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University Mark Bigs voiced the main goal of opening a branch of Heriot Watt University. University Heriot Watt is a university with a 200-year history. The school is currently opening its programs to the world. Of the nearly 28 thousand students, 60% studied at foreign campuses. Heriot Watt University campuses opened in Malaysia and Dubai. Thanks to such strategic programs in Kazakhstan on the basis of the Aktobe Regional University named after. K. Zhubanov, under the programs of petroleum engineering, electrical power engineering, and computer engineering, the third such initiative is being implemented.

“Two years ago we traveled the world looking for a third place. We were inspired by the ambitions of Kazakhstan. Therefore, we immediately liked it and opened a third campus here. The main goal of this partnership is to bring Zhubanov University to the level of an international university,” said Mark Bigs.

Specialists of this university will improve the quality of education at Kazakhstani universities and give priority to the training of professional specialists. The university can train 300 students per year. In the near future, students from Central Asian countries will also be able to enroll here. It is also planned to open PhD programs.

The University Heriot Watt branch was opened in 2023 on the basis of the Aktobe Regional University named after. K. Zhubanov in the programs of petroleum engineering, electrical power engineering, and computer engineering.

In general, the selection of foreign partner universities is based on personnel needs in individual industries, as well as requests and proposals of the regions. It is expected that by 2029 the branches will have trained more than 2,000 highly qualified specialists necessary for the country’s economy.

 

gov.kz

translated by Qazalem