Page 840 – The Times Of Central Asia

29 Feb 2024

Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan

Most of Kazakhstan Changes Time Zone

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

From March 1st the whole of Kazakhstan will be on the time zone UTC+5.

Currently only the country’s western regions are in the UTC+5 zone, with the rest of Kazakhstan set an hour later at UTC +6. This means that at midnight on 29 February the central, eastern and southern parts of Kazakhstan will move an hour back.

Kazakhstani scientists have claimed that the UTC +6 time zone has had a negative effect on people’s biological rhythms and health, as it does not correspond to natural solar time in the country. They believe that the establishment of a single time zone will have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing.

The clock change will also eliminate time barriers between different regions, and simplify the running of transport and other communications. This in turn will benefit business, government work and emergency services.

This switch, however, has had a mixed reception. Some people are unhappy that the reduction in daylight hours will increase their electricity bills, while others are worried that lighter mornings will affect their sleep.

29 Feb 2024

Central Asia, Home, Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Features

Former President’s Daughter, Aliya Nazarbayeva, Accused of Raiding Business Worth $170 million

June 27, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

The daughter of Kazakhstan’s first president, Aliya Nazarbayeva, stands accused of seizing control of a business operation worth approximately $170 million. This comes alongside similar charges brought against Valentina Rogova, the wife of the former chairman of the Constitutional Council.

Businessman Nurlan Bimurzin broke the news during a press conference, claiming that these alleged transgressions began in 2003, when he and his operation were targeted by the financial police. He alleges that a representative of Nazarbayeva offered to alleviate the pressure in exchange for half the shares in his business. However, within a year, Nazarbayeva purportedly demanded the remaining shares.

Bimurzin asserts that Nazarbayeva resorted to kidnapping his father and issuing death threats against his family to secure the remaining shares. Consequently, in 2003, Bimurzin and his family lost their business, comprising seven oil depots and 96 gas stations. Bimurzin also implicated Valentina Rogova in the crime, suggesting she provided protection for Nazarbayeva.

For two decades, Bimurzin and his business partner, Medgat Kaliyev, kept silent out of fear for their loved ones’ safety. Now, hoping that justice will prevail, they have submitted a statement to the General Prosecutor’s Office, which has since been forwarded to the Asset Recovery Committee, Bimurzin told the press conference.

Public figure, Zharkyn Kurentayev stated that the assets, estimated at $170 million, were listed as being worth 19,000 tenge (approximately $42) in fraudulent documents. The victims claim they did not even receive this meagre sum.

In their formal petition, Bimurzin and Kaliyev requested the initiation of a criminal case against Aliya Nazarbayeva and Valentina Rogova, seeking justice for their alleged crimes. Deputy of the Mazhilis, Ermurat Bapi has also demanded that the Prosecutor General’s Office conduct a full investigation.

29 Feb 2024

Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Chinese Company to Build an Automobile Plant in Kyrgyzstan

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov attended a ceremony on February 28th to launch the construction of an automotive assembly plant in the country’s northern Chui region.

The plant which will have the capacity to produce over 80,000 vehicles -electric, domestic, and commercial – is due to open in August this year.
A joint venture between the Kyrgyz government, local enterprises, and the China Hubei Zhuoyue Group, the first stage of the project has attracted investment of $115 million.

In his speech, President Japarov expressed the government’s confidence that the project will provide significant impetus to the development of the automotive industry in Kyrgyzstan and in turn, the creation of new jobs.

The Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Du Dewen attributed the instigation of the project to a strategic partnership between the two countries. Thanking the Kyrgyz president for his personal attention and support, she expressed her hope that this project will exemplify a deepening interaction between Kyrgyzstan and China.

29 Feb 2024

Central Asia, Uzbekistan Environment, Environment, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Business & Economy, Uzbekistan Local Politics

Green Energy as a New Driver of Uzbekistan’s Economy

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

At a government meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on February 28th, it was announced that in 2024, Uzbekistan will produce 13 billion kilowatt-hours of green energy via hydro, wind, and solar power plants, to generate 15% of the country’s electricity.

For decades, natural gas, oil products, and coal have fuelled Uzbekistan’s electricity but in recent years, the country’s natural gas has severely depleted. In 2023, Uzbekistan registered a reduction in the production by more than 4.5 billion cubic meters, necessitating the need to import natural gas from Russia through Kazakhstan. Official statistics also recorded a decrease in the country’s oil production.

At yesterday’s meeting, it was stated that the country’s potential for solar and wind energy is 10-12 times higher than the current demand for electricity. In response, the government has launched major programs to create green energy with attractive packages for investors.

To date, the renewable energy sector has attracted $2.1 billion in direct foreign investment enabling the implementation of projects worth $13 billion. Solar and wind power plants are currently under construction across the country, with nine solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 1.6 gigawatts already launched in Bukhara, Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi, Samarkand, and Surkhandarya.
Rooftop solar panels with a total capacity of 457 megawatts have also been installed in commercial, public, and residential buildings. When combined, these new measures produce an additional 5 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity to the national grid and save 1.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

President Mirziyoyev confirmed that the government has commissioned the following to be completed over the next three years: 28 solar and wind power plants with a total capacity of 8 gigawatts, 944 kilometers of high-voltage power lines, six large substations and 18 energy storage facilities with a total capacity of 2.2 gigawatts.

He also emphasized that apart from the obvious benefits to the environment, the sector’s demand from local enterprises for solar panels, transformers and other related products has resulted in green energy becoming a new driver of the national economy.

29 Feb 2024

Central Asia, Environment, Tajikistan Local Politics, Tajikistan Business Economy, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Environment

EBRD Helps Increase Reliability of Tajikistan’s Electrical Grid

June 28, 2024
By Times of Central Asia

An announcement was made on February 28th that the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is to increase the reliability and sustainability of electricity supply in Tajikistan.

The national transmission network operator Shabaqahoi Intiqoli Barq (SIB) will be awarded some €31 million, comprising two EBRD sovereign loans and an investment grant of up to €8 million to help restore the existing transformer and construct a new one at the Sugd-500 substation in the north of the country.

The northern Tajikistan power system depends on the 500 kV Sugd-Dushanbe high-voltage line connected to the Sugd-500 substation. Once upgraded and expanded, the substation will allow for a more sustainable electrical grid able to meet domestic and export demands. It will also help SIB integrate up to 700 MW of renewables in line with Tajikistan’s 2030 National Development Strategy to diversify its energy production.

In 2023, Tajikistan’s energy capacity exceeded 6,000 megawatts, and electricity production amounted to 22 billion kilowatt-hours; 4.8 billion kilowatt-hours or 28% more than in 2017.
Addressing the issue last December, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon announced that the government was making sound progress in its strategy to establish a ‘green economy’.
To achieve this goal, he explained that over the next seven years, Tajikistan aims to increase electricity exports to 10 billion kilowatt-hours, and by 2030, the construction of power plants employing renewable energy sources will increase the production of green energy to 1,000 megawatts.

Looking ahead, the country aims to source all its electricity from renewable sources, primarily hydropower, by 2023.

29 Feb 2024

Central Asia, Opinion Head, Home, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan, Opinions, Features, Kazakhstan Opinions, Kazakhstan Featurees

Nurturing Global Partnerships – Opinion by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek

March 26, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

Kazakhstan, a sprawling and culturally diverse nation nestled in Central Asia, has strategically embraced a multi-vector policy across its foreign relations, economic strategies, and governance. At the heart of this strategy lies Kazakhstan’s multi-vector policy in education, a forward-thinking initiative that underscores the nation’s commitment to diversification, international collaboration, and educational modernization.

International partnerships form a cornerstone of Kazakhstan’s educational framework, enriching its academic landscape and fostering innovation. The country has established strategic alliances with prestigious universities, research institutions, and governmental bodies worldwide. Through collaborative endeavors such as joint research ventures, student and faculty exchanges, the implementation of international educational programs, and the establishment of branches of foreign universities within Kazakhstan, the nation endeavors to harness global expertise and best practices to elevate the caliber of its education system.

Multi-Vector Policy in Education

Over the past year alone, Kazakhstan has witnessed the opening of eight foreign branches, bringing the total to twelve. The first foreign university established its branch is British De Montfort University. This university opened its doors for its students in 2021, offering educational programs for more than 500 students in such fields as finance, design and business. This branch attracted 16 million US dollars from foreign investors.

Noteworthy among these initiatives is Kazakhstan’s adoption of a strategic partnership model, which has yielded tangible outcomes. Kozybayev University’s collaboration with the University of Arizona in 2022 is a prime example. With 589 students enrolled across ten specialties – spanning pedagogical, biotechnological, and IT domains – this partnership, supported by 1200 full scholarships from the government, signifies a concerted effort to enhance educational opportunities and foster interdisciplinary learning.

Similarly, the formation of a consortium in 2022 with renowned German universities, operating under the auspices of the Caspian Engineering and Technology University named after Sh. Yesenov, underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to excellence in engineering education and technological innovation. Offering a diverse array of programs encompassing engineering fields, data management, artificial intelligence, and beyond, this consortium exemplifies Kazakhstan’s proactive approach to equipping its citizens with cutting-edge skills and expertise.

Established in 2023 at Zhubanov university, the Heriot Watt University branch offers an array of programs in vital fields such as petroleum engineering, electrical power engineering, and computer engineering, boasting an impressive enrollment of 286 students from 13 Kazakhstan regions.

The Luban Workshop initiative at Serikbayev University exemplifies Kazakhstan’s commitment to advancing its automotive education and training capabilities. This initiative, supported by foreign partners, aims to establish state-of-the-art laboratories specializing in automotive transport. These facilities will serve as a platform for incorporating modern Chinese technological advancements into the curriculum, thereby enhancing the quality of education for future automotive specialists. The project also seeks to foster academic and research collaborations with esteemed Chinese educational institutions, paving the way for the development of dual-degree programs, joint research projects, and other collaborative efforts that will enrich the automotive sector’s expertise and innovation.

The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked discussions about its potential impact on the workforce and society at large. In response to this imperative, Kazakhstan has embarked on strategic collaborations with leading educational institutions and organizations to cultivate expertise in emerging technologies, particularly in the field of AI.

Kazakhstan’s collaboration with SeoulTech to establish a branch at Korkyt Ata University marks a pivotal advancement in AI education within the country. This partnership aims to develop AI specialists and enhance national competencies in this dynamic sector. The SeoulTech branch, equipped with advanced AI labs and technology, will become a hub for AI research and innovation in Kazakhstan. This initiative underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to leveraging global expertise, promoting collaboration, and positioning itself as a regional frontrunner in AI.

In line with its multi-vector policy in higher education and science, Kazakhstan has expanded its initiatives by launching branches of prominent international universities. Among these developments are the establishment of branches of the Polish University of Economics at Shakarim University and the Polytechnic University of Marche (Italy) at Zhetysu University. These endeavors underscore Kazakhstan’s dedication to broadening its educational collaborations and strengthening its scientific capabilities.

Some branches are strategically aligned with Kazakhstan’s overarching objective of cultivating scientific and teaching personnel in higher education. Specifically, the branch of the Northwestern Polytechnical University (China) at Al-Farabi University is focused on training master’s degree students in the engineering field. Additionally, the branch of the University of Hong Kong at Satbayev University is dedicated to providing advanced training for PhD candidates in the field of artificial intelligence.

Another notable initiative is the establishment of Digital Huawei Academies in collaboration with 26 universities, with plans to expand to an additional 11 universities. These academies serve as hubs for digital skill development, equipping students with the necessary expertise in emerging technologies.

Furthermore, in partnership with Binance, Kazakhstan aims to train over 40,000 specialists in blockchain technology, recognizing its significance in the digital economy. Additionally, the translation of 4,000 Coursera courses into Kazakh and the provision of 30,000 Coursera licenses signify a concerted effort to enhance access to quality digital education resources.

Moreover, Kazakhstan is prioritizing the upskilling of faculty members to generate high-quality digital content, leveraging partnerships with platforms like Coursera to facilitate this process. This initiative not only benefits educators but also positions them to contribute to the global digital education market.

Partnerships with industry leaders such as Google are paving the way for cutting-edge educational courses in artificial intelligence across 14 universities. These initiatives underscore Kazakhstan’s commitment to preparing its workforce for success in the digital age.

Nazarbayev University

Nazarbayev University (NU) stands as a beacon of higher education in Kazakhstan in practically all of the domains mentioned above. Welcoming its inaugural cohort in September 2010, NU has since been committed to fostering excellence in education. Notably, all instruction at the university is delivered in English, reflecting its international orientation and commitment to global standards.

With more than 5,600 international publications, and an impressive 13.8% of NU’s publications ranked among the top 10% most cited globally, the university has established itself as a prominent player in the international academic community. However, amidst these accomplishments lie several pressing challenges that require urgent attention and strategic intervention.

The university’s strategic objectives aimed at transforming domestic higher education, science, and healthcare systems remain unfulfilled, signaling a misalignment between vision and execution. Moreover, the localization of personnel within NU’s faculty ranks has not been adequately addressed, with a disproportionate reliance on foreign staff, undermining efforts to nurture local talent and expertise.

Furthermore, NU’s perceived isolation and detachment from industry imperatives hinder its potential to address Kazakhstan’s economic and industrial challenges effectively. A heavy reliance on state funding, coupled with bureaucratic inefficiencies and management issues, exacerbates the university’s dependency and stifles innovation and autonomy.

In a significant shift in Kazakhstan’s education financing landscape, targeted contributions and transfers will no longer be part of the funding mechanism starting next year. Instead, funding will adhere to general rules with mandatory oversight by parliament, signaling a move towards greater transparency and accountability in the allocation of educational resources.

New Regulations and Financial Sustainability

Under the new regulations, educational institutions will be required to safeguard their budgets based on common grounds, ensuring transparency in financial management. This move comes as part of Kazakhstan’s broader efforts to enhance the efficiency and fairness of its education funding system.

A key strategy to bolster the financial stability of universities, including the prestigious Nazarbayev University, is the establishment of an endowment fund. The Ministry of Higher Education and Science plans to utilize this model to enable other universities across the country to accumulate funds, paving the way for long-term sustainability and independence in financing.

In Conclusion

Kazakhstan’s transition towards a more transparent and sustainable education financing model, as well as digital transformation agenda reflects its commitment to nurturing a vibrant, resilient higher education sector that is future-ready for technologically adept workforce poised to thrive in the digital economy.

Through strategic partnerships, innovative projects, and a forward-thinking approach, Kazakhstan is charting a course towards educational excellence in the digital age.

By harnessing the potential of endowment funds and embracing principles of accountability and transparency, Kazakhstan is poised to strengthen its position as a regional leader in education and innovation and further promotes educational diplomacy through higher education.

Sayasat Nurbek is the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. One of the most prominent National-level experts on education, education management, education program design, education and labor market analysis and policies, he is a multilingual public figure, speaker, lecturer and educator with over 1,000 public lectures and talks and 100,000+ general audience on social media.