Education - The Times Of Central Asia

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Education

China’s Luban Workshops in Kazakhstan: Skills-Building or Strategic Leverage?

At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin, China inaugurated two new vocational centers in Kazakhstan under the Luban Workshop initiative. The move highlights the growing emphasis on technical education and skills development across the region. Kazakhstan’s first Luban Workshop was launched in 2023 at Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, creating a platform to advance engineering and technical training. The program has since expanded with a second workshop at the Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana and a third at the Academy of Logistics and Transport in Almaty. This China-led program aims to share China’s educational expertise and technical resources with partner countries, with a particular focus on cultivating a new generation of skilled workers in developing economies. The workshops are not only a vehicle for workforce training but also a symbol of the Belt and Road Initiative’s people-to-people exchange dimension. By encouraging social and educational connections, China is seeking to complement government-to-government cooperation with deeper societal ties. The choice of Tianjin for the ceremony is not a coincidence. The Luban Workshop concept originated in this city and has been actively promoted by the Tianjin municipal government. Equally notable is Kazakhstan’s central role in the program’s expansion. The Kazakh government has expressed consistent support for Chinese-led educational partnerships, underlining the importance of vocational training to its national development agenda. During his visit to a Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan in February 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev praised the initiative, saying, “I am deeply appreciative of the contributions made by Chinese universities. They have executed exemplary work. I hope to see more workshops like this in Kazakhstan.” The expansion of China’s Luban Workshop initiative offers distinct benefits for both China and Kazakhstan. For China, the workshops help shift perceptions of its educational initiatives. Unlike the Confucius Institutes, which focus on cultural and language promotion, the Luban Workshops emphasize practical, in-demand skills in fields such as manufacturing and technology. This approach allows China to project a more pragmatic and development-oriented image, fostering goodwill in a way that is less vulnerable to geopolitical criticism. A second key benefit lies in the realm of soft power. By delivering tangible skills and opportunities, Luban Workshops can positively influence public attitudes toward China in Central Asia. In Kazakhstan, such initiatives not only support technical education but also help frame Chinese investments as beneficial for local communities. Over time, this contributes to strengthening government-to-government ties and broader people-to-people connections, enhancing China’s long-term influence in the region. For Kazakhstan, the Luban Workshops provide benefits by helping to build a pool of technically skilled human capital. This directly supports the country’s industrial goals and broader economic development agenda. A more qualified workforce also enables local citizens to participate more actively in Chinese-backed projects in Kazakhstan, thereby boosting local employment. One of the recurring criticisms of China’s overseas investment projects has been the limited transfer of knowledge and skills. In many cases, local workers are confined to low-skilled, manual roles, while Chinese nationals occupy managerial and technical positions. The Luban Workshops...

Education

Kazakh and Chinese Universities Sign Over 20 New Cooperation Agreements

At the Kazakhstan-China Business Council meeting held in Beijing on September 2, leading universities from both countries signed more than 20 new agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in education, science, and innovation, according to the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The wide-ranging agreements span areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, water resource management, and dual degree programs, highlighting the growing strategic role of academic and research collaboration in the Kazakhstan-China partnership. Among the most significant developments was the establishment of the Kazakh-Chinese Scientific and Technological Alliance on Spatio-Temporal Artificial Intelligence. The alliance includes the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Zhejiang University of Technology, and Zhejiang Zhonghe Technology Co., Ltd. A joint laboratory will also be launched as part of the Belt and Road Initiative. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) signed an agreement with Chinese investment and development firm Yuan Zhen to jointly design and produce unmanned aerial vehicles. KazNU also partnered with Jiangsu Huibo Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. to inaugurate the International Institute of Digital Technologies and Robotics, along with a Robotics Center dedicated to training the next generation of engineers. In Almaty, the Technological University signed an agreement with Beijing Technology and Business University to create the Kazakhstan-China Center for Technology and Innovation Development. Meanwhile, the Kazakh National University of Water Resources and Irrigation and the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU) agreed to collaborate on sustainable water management. In the digital sphere, Astana IT University signed a memorandum of cooperation with Tus-Holdings, a science park affiliated with Tsinghua University, focusing on information technology, artificial intelligence, and startup incubation. Multiple institutions expanded joint academic offerings. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University, ALT University, and Uzbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University all signed agreements with top Chinese universities to launch dual bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. In the energy sector, the Atyrau University of Oil and Gas and Liaoning Petrochemical University will establish the Kazakhstan-China International Engineering School and a joint international laboratory. Additionally, Astana International University and Beijing Language and Culture University agreed to open a branch campus of the Chinese university in Kazakhstan. These agreements underscore the strategic role of higher education and scientific cooperation in advancing Kazakhstan-China relations, particularly within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Education

Knowledge Day in Central Asia: What’s Changing in Schools This Academic Year?

Secondary schools across Central Asia are embracing modern teaching methods and aiming to elevate the status of teachers, as the new academic year begins with a wave of reforms. Kazakhstan: AI in Classrooms and Teacher Protections In Kazakhstan, the academic year begins on September 2, as Constitution Day on the 1st is a national holiday. Over 370,000 first-graders are expected to enter school this year. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, significant reforms are underway in the country’s education system. Amendments to the Law “On the Status of Teachers” will shield educators from non-teaching duties and protect them from undue legal responsibility. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized that educators should not be held accountable for incidents involving children that occur outside school or due to parental negligence. New “personal safety” lessons will also be introduced across all educational levels, from kindergartens to colleges. These age-appropriate classes will cover topics ranging from water safety and interaction with strangers to cyberbullying, financial literacy, and legal awareness. Schools and colleges are also rolling out DosbolLIKE, an anti-bullying initiative piloted in 50 schools last year, designed to curb bullying in student communities. Artificial intelligence will be introduced into the curriculum via “Digital Literacy” and “Computer Science” classes. AI-focused online courses called Day of AI are now available for grades 1-11, with training programs also developed for teachers. Despite the construction of 1,200 new schools accommodating over a million students in recent years, the high birth rate continues to strain infrastructure. In Almaty alone, the shortage exceeds 34,000 school places. Uzbekistan: Ivy League Aspirations and Civic Values In Uzbekistan, school also starts on September 2, a customary date. The first lesson will be conducted under the motto: “In the name of the Motherland, in the name of the nation, in the name of the people!” According to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, 738,000 first-graders will receive gifts from President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. An international school is set to open this September, initially enrolling 60 top-performing graduates of the 8th grade. The curriculum will include leadership and social activism training, with a focus on preparing students for admission to Ivy League universities. A nationwide talent identification and development program is also in development. The weekly Kelazhak Soati (“Hour of the Future”) class will debut this year, aiming to strengthen students’ moral values and encourage reflection on their future roles in society. Kyrgyzstan: Transition to 12-Year Education This academic year marks Kyrgyzstan’s official transition to a 12-year education system. The reform affects lesson structures, curricula, and textbooks. The transition, to be completed by 2028, includes the redistribution of students across grade levels. For example, third graders born in 2015 will skip to fifth grade, and sixth graders born in 2012 will advance to eighth grade. Further shifts are scheduled for the next two academic years. While the extended education model is expected to allow deeper learning and skills development, the transition period may cause confusion among students, parents, and educators. Adapting to new...

Education

Kyrgyz Schools Face Persistent Shortages of Teachers and Textbooks

Kyrgyzstan continues to face serious shortages of qualified teachers and school textbooks, according to Deputy Minister of Education Nadira Jusupbekova, who addressed the issue during a recent press conference in Bishkek. Teacher Deficit in Key Subjects As of the end of the last academic year, schools across the country were short 947 teachers, Jusupbekova reported. The most acute gaps are in mathematics, Russian language, and history, though a shortage of history teachers is a more recent development. “The lack of mathematics teachers is particularly severe, especially in Bishkek,” she said. “Russian language comes next. We currently have teachers from Russia assisting us, and we’ve requested universities to increase training for mathematics and Russian language specialists.” Ongoing Textbook Shortage In addition to staffing challenges, many schools still lack adequate textbook supplies. Last year, the Ministry of Education admitted that general education schools were only 50% stocked with textbooks, forcing many students to rent materials. This year, 744 million KGS (approximately $8.5 million) was allocated from the national budget for textbook production. These funds have been used to publish new English language textbooks for grades 3-9, with a total print run exceeding 1.9 million copies. Among them are 158,700 textbooks for grade 4, printed with support from the British Embassy. Mathematics and science textbooks for grades 1-2 (over 1.2 million copies) have already been printed, with additional sets for grades 5 and 7 scheduled for release soon. Textbooks for Russian language and literature, adapted by a working group in Kyrgyzstan, will be printed in Russia. They are expected to be delivered by October 2025. Digital Platform Offers Interim Relief To address the immediate textbook shortage, the Ministry has launched the Okuu Kitebi online platform, which provides access to all school textbooks in digital format. Future updates will integrate the platform with other educational systems, enabling students and teachers to download and use materials offline. According to Okuu Kitebi Publishing House, the goal is to meet 110% of textbook demand in schools by 2030, with funding to continue coming from the national budget.

Education

South Korea to Support Health and Nutrition in Kyrgyz Schools

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving health and nutrition in schools by incorporating locally produced agricultural products into school meals. According to KOICA’s Kyrgyzstan office, the project will directly benefit approximately 16,000 students and local farmers across the regions of Osh, Jalal-Abad, Chui, Naryn, and Batken. The project aims to enhance children’s health through fortified school meals, upgraded school infrastructure, and capacity-building programs for school personnel. With a total budget of $10 million, the program will run until 2028. It will support the renovation of kitchens and dining areas, the construction of toilets, the installation of handwashing stations, and the delivery of educational programs on healthy eating, meal procurement, health, and hygiene in approximately 40 schools. In addition, the project includes training for local agricultural cooperatives on crop cultivation, post-harvest handling, and operational management, alongside the development of model farms. A key component of the initiative is expanding access to clean water and ensuring that hygiene and sanitation services are adequate, inclusive, and gender-sensitive. This is not KOICA’s first investment in Kyrgyzstan’s development. Earlier, The Times of Central Asia reported on a separate $10 million project launched by KOICA to improve air quality in the country, with a particular focus on Bishkek.

Education

Kazakhstan’s Gumilyov Eurasian National University Opens Branch in Kyrgyzstan’s Osh

Kazakhstan’s L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) has opened a new branch at Osh State University in Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, Osh. The new branch will offer training in ecology, information and communications technology (ICT), and the service sector. Students will also study Russian language and literature, translation, foreign languages, journalism, and physics, earning dual diplomas from both ENU and Osh State University. ENU Rector Yerlan Sydykov said that the new branch would help strengthen regional human capital and “create a strong intellectual foundation for the sustainable development of Central Asia.” ENU currently collaborates with 16 Kyrgyz universities through academic mobility initiatives and dual-degree programs.