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19 Sep 2025

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From Astana to the World: Kazakhstan Expands Academic Frontier

September 22, 2025
By Aliya Haidar

Kazakhstan is rapidly establishing itself as a regional center for higher education, attracting students from around the world. The number of branches of foreign universities operating in the country is steadily increasing, complemented by a growing domestic academic base, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence. Today, Kazakhstan is viewed as a viable regional alternative to Russia, which has long been considered a destination for affordable, high-quality education.

Expanding Options for Students

In June, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan unveiled a map of foreign university branches operating in the country. The government is positioning Kazakhstan as a leading academic hub in Central Asia by enhancing international cooperation and expanding opportunities for students.

Partnerships have already been established with 39 foreign universities. Currently, 23 branches of institutions from the UK, Italy, China, Russia, the U.S., France, and South Korea operate in Kazakhstan.

Map of foreign university partnerships; image: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan.

Seven more branches are expected to open in the 2025-2026 academic year, namely Coventry University, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in Astana, Gazi University in Shymkent, Woosong University in Turkestan, Anhalt University in Almaty, Politecnico della Marche in Taldykorgan, and Dong Eui University in Kostanay.

A standout example of this strategy arrived in early September:

Notably, on September 3, Cardiff University opened its first campus outside the UK in Astana. It is also the first member of the prestigious Russell Group to begin operations in Kazakhstan. The Russell Group comprises 24 leading UK universities responsible for two-thirds of all research grants and contract funding in the UK, and 56% of doctoral degrees awarded. Cardiff University Kazakhstan is now accepting students for four-year bachelor’s programs in computer science, business management, civil engineering, and geology and mineral exploration.

Kazakhstan has witnessed a surge in the establishment of foreign university branches since 2021. These include the Peking University of Languages and Culture at Astana International University, and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russia) at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Additional branches include the University of Lorraine (France) at the Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abai, and the University of Anhalt (Germany) at the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications named after Gumarbek Daukeev.

Other notable branches include the University of Hong Kong at Satpayev University in Almaty, Berlin Technical University in Aktau, De Montfort University (UK) in Almaty, and Queen’s University Belfast (Ireland) at Narxoz University, among others.

These branches offer programs in mining, water resource management, and mineral exploration and extraction, along with biotechnology, electrical engineering, energy, mechatronics, logistics, chemical technology, robotics, and related disciplines.

In 2023, Korkyt Ata University in Kyzylorda launched an Institute of Artificial Intelligence, in partnership with Seoul National University of Science and Technology. It currently offers programs in computer science, cybersecurity, software development, and information systems.

An Ambitious Vision

Observers note that Kazakhstan’s education drive is unfolding amid growing global competition for international students. Neighboring Uzbekistan has also launched partnerships with European institutions, while Turkey and the Gulf states are actively courting students from Asia and Africa. By moving early and offering relatively low tuition, Kazakhstan hopes to secure a durable niche in this crowded market.

Kazakhstan is aiming to become the top education destination in Central Asia. The government is working with globally recognized universities to align its education system with international standards. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek has stated that Kazakhstan aims to attract 150,000 foreign students by 2029, nearly five times the current number.

The country offers several advantages: a strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, political and economic stability, and lower tuition fees compared to Western countries and Russia. “Kazakhstan is not only a leader in education in Central Asia; we are becoming a new Eurasian center,” said Nurbek. “Our partnerships with global universities and the growth in world-class campuses show that students no longer need to leave the region to access international-quality education.”

To support this goal, the government is providing tuition grants, building new dormitories, and investing in research clusters. Thirty-five Kazakhstani universities have been included in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and Satpayev University are ranked among the top 100, reflecting growing international recognition.

Officials emphasize that attracting students requires more than campuses and programs. Work is underway to improve dormitory conditions, expand visa services, and create cultural integration programs. Several universities now run orientation courses for foreign students, including Kazakh language basics and intercultural workshops, aimed at easing adjustment and retention.

Building an AI-Ready Future

Kazakhstan has also made significant investments in AI infrastructure. In May 2025, the country acquired the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia, with a processing capacity of approximately two exaflops. Based on NVIDIA’s H200 graphics chips, the system is available to government agencies, universities, and startups.

The country has also established partnerships with Huawei, Coursera, and Astana Hub, supporting a practical and applied approach to education. AI studies are being integrated across higher and secondary education curricula.

The government also sees higher education as a tool for economic diversification. By training specialists in AI, engineering, and energy, officials hope to reduce reliance on extractive industries and foster a knowledge-based economy. Analysts argue that international campuses can serve as incubators for research partnerships, tech startups, and innovation clusters that will spill over into broader economic growth.

A Competitive Alternative

For decades, Russia was the primary destination for students from the post-Soviet space. That dynamic is shifting, not only due to the war in Ukraine, but because Russia’s withdrawal from the Bologna Process has complicated degree recognition in Western countries.

Kazakhstan is well-positioned to fill the gap. It offers a Russian-speaking environment while increasingly improving English and other foreign language instruction in its universities.

As a result, Kazakhstan is attracting more students from countries such as China, India, Pakistan, across Asia and Africa, Eastern Europe, and even Russia and other post-Soviet states. This trend is supported by deliberate government policies, expanding global university partnerships, and growing international awareness of Kazakhstan’s academic strengths. Whether this momentum can be sustained will depend not only on Kazakhstan’s ability to attract prestigious partners, but also on how its institutions deliver. For now, as new campuses open and domestic programs grow, Kazakhstan’s higher education system is entering a decisive phase in its evolving regional role.

18 Sep 2025

Central Asia Deepens Trade Links with India Amid Growing Economic Ties

December 1, 2025
By Jonathan Campion

Trade between the countries of Central Asia and India is growing, edging closer to the $2 billion mark and signaling a new phase in cooperation across the Eurasian continent. According to data from the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), this surge reflects the expanding economic footprint of both regions.

Nikolay Podguzov, Chairman of the EDB, emphasized that Central Asia and India are not only continental neighbors but also markets with significant untapped potential. Of the bank’s seven member states, four — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan — form the heart of Central Asia. Their growing engagement with New Delhi is now setting the tone for broader regional cooperation.

Strong Growth as a Foundation

The economic fundamentals supporting this trend are healthy. Central Asia has maintained steady growth of around 4.5% annually, while India’s economy continues to expand even faster, at roughly 6% per year. But despite this positive backdrop, there are still logistical hurdles. Trade routes between India and Central Asia must pass through intermediary countries such as Iran, Russia, or Azerbaijan — each adding layers of bureaucracy, customs costs, and delays.

Experts argue that overcoming these transit bottlenecks will be crucial if India and Central Asia are to unlock the full potential of their partnership. New initiatives like the International North-South Transport Corridor and discussions on India’s role in developing Chabahar Port in Iran reflect ongoing efforts to make these pathways more efficient.

Kazakhstan: The Leading Partner

Kazakhstan is India’s largest trading partner in Central Asia, with bilateral trade crossing $1 billion — more than half of the region’s total trade with India. Astana supplies uranium, which is important for India’s civilian nuclear energy program, along with crude oil and steel products. In return, India exports pharmaceuticals, textiles, and consumer goods, with exports valued at around $260 million.

The two countries also collaborate in strategic sectors such as energy security and defense. In 2022, India and Kazakhstan conducted joint military drills under the Kazind exercise, which reflects a broadening relationship beyond commerce.

Uzbekistan: A Growing Market

Trade with Uzbekistan has risen steadily, approaching $500 million in bilateral turnover, while India’s exports to Uzbekistan are valued at around $1.3 billion. Pharmaceuticals, machinery, and agricultural products dominate New Delhi’s exports, while Uzbekistan provides fruits, minerals, and cotton to the Indian market.

Uzbekistan and India recently increased engagement through forums like the India-Central Asia Dialogue, where issues of connectivity, counterterrorism, and energy cooperation are regularly discussed.

Tajikistan: Small but Strategic

Although trade volumes with Tajikistan hover around $100 million, the partnership has strategic importance. Aluminium from Tajikistan’s massive TALCO smelter is a key export, while India provides medicines and consumer goods to Tajikistan. Beyond commerce, Dushanbe is a vital security partner for New Delhi. India operates a military facility in Tajikistan — the Farkhor Air Base, its only such presence abroad.

Kyrgyzstan: Modest Trade, Strong Ties

Kyrgyzstan’s trade with India is relatively small, at about $50 million, but the relationship is significant in the context of regional institutions like the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The two nations also cooperate in education and tourism, with thousands of Indian students studying medicine in Kyrgyz universities. These people-to-people connections are seen as a foundation for stronger economic engagement in the future.

Looking Ahead

The trajectory of India-Central Asia trade is clear: while current figures remain modest compared to India’s dealings with other global partners, they are trending upwards. Both sides see opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and digital technology. Yet the success of this partnership will depend on how effectively they address logistical challenges, and diversify beyond traditional trade items.

For Central Asia, closer ties with India offer a chance to balance relationships with traditional partners such as Russia and China, while tapping into India’s massive consumer market.

18 Sep 2025

Environment, Kazakhstan Environment, Kazakhstan

Astana Forum Signals Growing Momentum for Green Projects

September 19, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a regional hub for green energy, with hydrogen emerging as a central focus. This direction was highlighted at the Second Central Asian and European Forum on Decarbonization Diplomacy, where hydrogen featured prominently on the agenda.

At the forum, the Ministry of Energy presented an updated Concept for Hydrogen Energy Development aimed at attracting investment and laying the groundwork for the country’s first large-scale hydrogen projects.

“By the end of this year, we expect to adopt legislation that will provide the foundation for hydrogen energy development in Kazakhstan. For us, this is not merely a goal, it is a strategic choice, just like green energy more broadly. Forums like this one help transform ideas into tangible partnerships,” said Deputy Energy Minister Ilyas Bakytzhan.

The central question raised at the forum was how to convert growing interest into actual investment. Institutions including the World Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) expressed willingness to consider pilot projects in Kazakhstan. However, experts warned that financial commitments will depend on the establishment of long-term hydrogen supply contracts and a transparent certification framework.

Deputy Energy Minister Bakytzhan Ilyas, @gov.kz

While viable business models are still evolving, Kazakhstan has the potential to become a key hydrogen supplier to Europe and Asia. In the early stages, however, building domestic demand, in sectors such as metallurgy, transportation, and energy, will be critical. A balanced strategy that prioritizes both export orientation and local industrialization is seen as essential for long-term project sustainability.

Forum participants identified several key challenges:

High capital requirements and extended payback periods
Integration with renewable energy infrastructure
Exposure to volatile global pricing and certification standards
The need for green financing tools and risk insurance mechanisms

A significant development at the forum was the signing of a cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy and the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office (H2-Diplo GIZ). The agreement provides access to European technical expertise and advisory support, including the design of financing structures.

Experts agree that the next few years will be decisive. Kazakhstan must show that it can provide a stable and predictable investment climate. The Astana forum made clear that international institutions and private investors are already showing interest. The determining factor now will be the quality and credibility of the regulatory framework the country establishes.

18 Sep 2025

Business & Economy, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy

Uzbekistan Aims to Cut Poverty Rate to 6% by End of 2025

September 18, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan aims to cut its national poverty rate to 6 percent by the end of 2025, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at the opening of the third international forum From Poverty to Prosperity in Namangan on September 17.

The forum brought together representatives from more than 30 organizations and approximately 200 experts, including Islamic Development Bank President Muhammad Al-Jasser, Asian Development Bank Vice President Yingming Yang, Japan International Cooperation Agency Senior Vice President Sachiko Imoto, United Nations Special Representative for Central Asia Kaha Imnadze, and World Bank Global Director for Poverty Reduction Luis Felipe López-Calva.

Mirziyoyev warned that the world is entering a period of increasing instability, citing climate change, water scarcity, pandemics, and slowing economic growth. Since 2015, global economic growth has averaged just 3 percent annually, while the number of people living in poverty has risen from 650 million to over 800 million.

In Uzbekistan, poverty reduction has become a national priority. Over the past eight years, government reforms have focused on human rights, employment, and income generation, supported by international institutions such as the World Bank and the United Nations. According to official data, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, bringing the national poverty rate down to 8.9 percent in 2024. “By the end of this year, we aim to reduce it further to 6 percent,” Mirziyoyev said.

Uzbekistan’s economy has doubled in size in recent years, with per capita income projected to reach $3,500 by the end of 2025. Growth has been driven by targeted social programs, mahalla-based community initiatives, and land reforms. During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 2 million families received social assistance, while the redistribution of 235,000 hectares of farmland provided an additional source of income for 800,000 families.

“Every neighborhood is becoming a hub for business, and every family is seeing the benefits of prosperity,” Mirziyoyev said. He added that Uzbekistan is on track to halve poverty by 2030, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and could eradicate absolute poverty by the end of the decade.

The president also called for a “new financial architecture” to mobilize global resources for sustainable development. He proposed hosting an international conference in Khiva in 2026, with the participation of donor organizations, financial institutions, and partner governments.

“Uplifting human dignity through decent living conditions and poverty reduction lies at the heart of all our reforms,” he concluded.

18 Sep 2025

Kazakhstan, Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Life & Culture

Kazakhstan Football’s European Breakthrough Amid Grassroots Struggles

September 18, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan’s football is undergoing a pivotal transformation. While FC Kairat made history this year by qualifying for the UEFA Champions League group stage and is set to face Real Madrid later this month, youth and grassroots football remain critically underdeveloped, according to a recent analysis by Ranking.kz.

Mass Participation, Mixed Results

Football remains the most popular sport in Kazakhstan. In 2024, approximately 1.5 million people played the game, accounting for a quarter of all those involved in organized sports. These figures exclude informal games played on streets or university campuses.

There were 18,600 football groups and 8,100 futsal groups across the country in 2024, reflecting year-on-year growth of 5% and 26.8%, respectively. The number of coaches also rose, reaching 7,400 in football and 2,400 in futsal.

Despite these numbers, development at the youth level remains modest. Only 43,500 young players trained in sports schools, and fewer than 1,000 achieved a first-class sports rank. Not a single Kazakh footballer earned the title of International Master of Sport in 2024. Women’s football continues to decline: the number of girls enrolled in sports schools dropped by one-third to 155, while the number of coaches fell from 11 to just eight.

Structural Deficiencies

Experts highlight a shortage of qualified coaches and inadequate training infrastructure as major barriers. Only two-thirds of current coaches have formal sports education, and just four nationwide hold the highest coaching category. Winter training remains especially problematic, with many teams forced into small gyms or school halls due to the lack of proper facilities.

As of 2024, Kazakhstan had only 220 football arenas and 28 stadiums. Following the national team’s recent defeat to Belgium, Kazakhstan Football Federation (KFF) President Marat Omarov acknowledged the long-standing infrastructure issues. “My responsibility is to develop systemic football. For many years, infrastructure has been the main challenge, and I am responsible for addressing it,” he said.

According to a 2024 Youth Research Center survey, 15% of urban youth and over 25% of rural youth do not play sports due to a lack of nearby facilities. Nevertheless, grassroots football remains vital for developing elite talent. FC Kairat academy graduate Dastan Satpayev is expected to join Chelsea in 2026, Nuraly Alip currently plays for Zenit St. Petersburg, and 14-year-old Nurkanat Nurmakhanuly from Turkestan region has received an invitation to join Atletico Madrid’s academy.

State and Private Sector Engagement

Youth sports in Kazakhstan remain predominantly state-funded, but private investment is increasing. In summer 2025, Alatau City Bank became the general sponsor of the KFF, title partner of the Premier League, and official sponsor of national teams, covering league operations and supporting youth football development.

Kazakhstan has also become a focus for international partnerships. It is one of 11 countries selected by FIFA for the FIFA Arena project, which aims to build 100 modern mini-football pitches in schools across the country.

Kazakhstan’s breakthrough in European football marks a visible success for a sport on the rise. Yet experts note that lasting progress will require systemic investment: training qualified coaches, expanding infrastructure, and making the game accessible to all. Only then can today’s street matches evolve into tomorrow’s Champions League campaigns.

18 Sep 2025

Home, Tajikistan International Affairs, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan International Affairs, International Affairs, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan Features, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan International Affairs, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Opinion: Ex-U.S. Ambassador Warns Washington Has Ceded Information Space in Central Asia

September 26, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Former U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Daniel Rosenblum, has warned that Washington has “surrendered” its influence in Central Asia’s information sphere, allowing Russia and China to dominate the narrative. His remarks were reported by the Yale Daily News following a lecture at Yale University on September 15.

Rosenblum, who served as U.S. ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2019 to 2022 and to Kazakhstan from 2022 to 2025, delivered a speech titled “Battling the Firehose of Falsehood: Confronting Russian Disinformation in Central Asia.” He described how Russian disinformation campaigns frequently portrayed U.S. diplomats as destabilizing actors. In one example from 2023, Russian outlets falsely claimed a NATO base had opened in Kazakhstan. “While it is easy to joke about such an absurd idea,” Rosenblum said, “the intent behind such Russian information operations is deadly serious.”

Rosenblum noted that U.S. embassies attempted to counteract these narratives by highlighting tangible achievements, including COVID-19 health initiatives, agricultural partnerships, and academic exchange programs. However, he argued that much of this work has unraveled since 2023, citing the dismissal of over 1,300 State Department personnel, the elimination of USAID programs in the region, and recent cuts to Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. “Eight months into the second Trump administration, it seems clear that the information war is over in Central Asia, not because the Russians won. We have simply surrendered,” he said.

Rosenblum also emphasized China’s expanding influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, observing that Beijing “was doing a pretty good job of winning friends and influencing people” via infrastructure investment and cultural outreach.

In a post-lecture interview, Rosenblum underscored that the challenge is now largely domestic. “The biggest challenge today is ourselves,” he said. “We have to decide as a country, do we want to be engaged in the world or not? If we cut ourselves off from the world, we will ultimately be less secure and less prosperous.”

This concern was echoed in earlier analysis for The Times of Central Asia by Arman Amini, a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow. “Over the past decade, China has steadily expanded its presence in Central Asia, not through military force, but by building roads, trade corridors, and digital infrastructure,” Amini noted. “As the United States scaled back its regional footprint following its withdrawal from Afghanistan, Beijing moved quickly to fill the void. Today, China has positioned itself as the region’s dominant external power, while the U.S. risks being left on the sidelines.”

The lecture was attended by approximately 80 people in person and online. It was organized by the Central Asia Initiative of the MacMillan Center, the Edward J. and Dorothy Clarke Memorial Fund, and Asian Crossroads, a student group dedicated to raising awareness of Central Asia.