The head of state received the Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek
November 16, 2023
The President was informed that, in pursuance of his instructions, the Concept for the Development of Higher Education and Science for 2023-2029 had been adopted.
Sayasat Nurbek reported that from September 2023 in Kazakhstan, the amount of scholarships for undergraduate programs has been increased by 20%, for master’s and doctoral programs – by 15%. The salary of teaching staff of universities was increased from 160 thousand tenge to 350 thousand tenge, in national universities – from 228 thousand tenge to 400 thousand tenge;
➤ reported on reducing the shortage of places in student dormitories by 3 times – from 55,050 in 2022 to 17,488 in October 2023;
➤ spoke about the development of infrastructure and digital architecture of higher education, including the construction of campuses of Al-Farabi KazNU and L.N. Gumilev ENU;
➤ reported that the ministry is developing a digital university model;
➤ reported that 21 universities are included in the QS ranking, 4 universities are included in the Times Higher Education. By the end of the year, branches of 8 leading foreign universities will operate;
➤ informed that the National Council for Science and Technology under the President has begun its work. The average salary of scientists has doubled, reaching 252 thousand tenge. Direct funding has been introduced for research institutes engaged in fundamental research. The total science budget for 2023-2025 increased 3.3 times and amounted to 643 billion tenge;
➤ reported that Satbayev University scientists have developed a technology for producing selenium with a purity of 99.5%. This chemical element is widely used in medicine, electronics and glass production. Thanks to the discovery, Kazakhstan will be able to export this rare metal at much more favorable prices.
In conclusion, the Head of State gave a number of instructions to improve the level of education, stimulate innovation, improve the quality of scientific research, and reduce the shortage of places in student dormitories.