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Labor Market

Kazakhstan Faces Shortage of Doctors and IT Specialists

Kazakhstan continues to face labor shortages in healthcare, information technology, engineering, and the creative industries, according to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection. The ministry published a list of the country’s most in-demand professions based on data from state information systems and the Enbek.kz employment portal. The most acute shortages remain in the medical sector. According to the ministry, there are only around 100 job seekers’ resumes for 469 vacancies for obstetricians and gynecologists. For pediatricians, 448 vacancies were recorded against 139 resumes, while anesthesiologists and intensive care specialists accounted for 300 vacancies and only 75 resumes. “Shortages are also observed among oncologists, neonatologists, and endocrinologists,” the ministry said. Demand also remains high for information technology specialists. More than 500 vacancies are currently open for software application developers, while around 355 vacancies are available for graphic designers. According to the Unified System for Recording Labor Contracts, more than 45,000 employment contracts have been signed since the beginning of 2026 in the country’s most in-demand professions. The largest number of contracts, around 8,000, involved software developers. Obstetricians-gynecologists, pediatricians, and application programmers were also actively recruited. The ministry acknowledged that Kazakhstan is partially addressing labor shortages by attracting foreign specialists. “To attract valuable personnel, Kazakhstan operates a simplified employment procedure for foreign specialists,” the ministry said. According to officials, the list of in-demand professions includes more than 50 occupations and allows highly qualified foreign workers to obtain permanent residence permits in Kazakhstan. This year, 55 labor contracts have been signed with foreign specialists, primarily in the automation sector. The ministry said that, overall, the domestic labor market covers demand for most key professions, although shortages in the healthcare sector remain persistent. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan’s small and medium-sized businesses are also facing a severe labor shortage.

Archaeology

Ancient Water Pipeline Unearthed on 65-Meter Hill in Tajikistan

Archaeologists in Tajikistan have uncovered a remarkable ancient water pipeline system atop a 65-meter hill at the Mugtepa settlement, believed to have been constructed approximately 1,500 years ago. The site, towering above the city at the height of a modern twenty-storey building, once hosted fortresses of the rulers of Uratyube across various historical periods. For nearly three decades, however, the archaeological site remained neglected. Construction in 2017-2018 further compromised its integrity, leading many to assume its secrets were lost forever. That changed in the summer of 2025, when an expedition from the Department of Archaeology, Ethnography, and Religious Studies at Khujand State University, led by Professor Nabijon Rakhimov, began new excavations. The project, supported by staff from the Kalai Mug Historical and Cultural Complex under Mirzo Olimov, proceeded without official funding but succeeded thanks to the contributions of students and specialists. Between June 18 and July 18, the team examined three segments of the aqueduct system. Water was drawn from a spring at the base of a nearby hill and transported via ceramic pipes known as kuburs, each approximately 40 cm in length. The pipes were joined using waterproof alabaster mortar and laid in trenches 85 cm wide and 20 cm deep. Small pools, or hauzes, were found along the route, likely used for water collection. All components of the system were uniformly manufactured, suggesting the existence of specialized production workshops. Unearthing Everyday Life In soil layers dating to the 5th to 8th centuries, researchers discovered pottery, stone grain grinders, and spindle whorls, evidence of a thriving agricultural and textile economy. Deeper strata revealed artifacts from earlier eras, ranging from the 1st-3rd centuries CE to the Achaemenid and Hellenistic periods (6th-1st centuries BCE). Notable finds included fragments of tall-stemmed goblets, cup-shaped vessels, and red-slip bowls. “Archaeological monuments are not just stones and shards; they are material evidence of our history. Without protection and careful treatment, they can disappear,” said Rakhimov. The team now plans to petition the Agency for the Protection of Monuments under the Government of Tajikistan to secure official support for continued excavations and preservation efforts at Mugtepa. Other Significant Finds in the Region This discovery follows several notable archaeological breakthroughs in Tajikistan in recent years. In 2023, a 7th-century sewer system was uncovered in Istaravshan by architect Amindjonov Khomid and Professor Rakhim Nabiev. The structure, approximately 1,300 years old, highlights the advanced engineering of the period. A rare 6th-century jug, made of concrete and coated in clay, was found nearby. In May 2025, archaeologists from the National Museum of Tajikistan discovered a Kushan-era clay vessel near the village of Sarband, inscribed in the Bactrian language. The inscription read, “This water jug belongs to a woman named Sagkina,” offering a rare glimpse into ancient literacy and social life. And in November 2024, an international team led by Professor Yossi Zeidner of the Hebrew University reported the discovery of artifacts dating back 150,000 years at the Soyi Khavzak site in the Zeravshan Valley. Finds included stone tools, animal bones,...

Higher Education

German University Launches Bachelor’s Programs in Kazakhstan

Germany’s Anhalt University of Applied Sciences has opened a branch campus in Almaty, marking a new milestone in German-Kazakh educational cooperation. The new campus, based at Energo University, is now accepting applications for bachelor’s programs in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. The initiative is supported by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the German Consulate General in Almaty. According to the ministry, the programs were selected to align with current demands in Kazakhstan’s labor market. Graduates will receive dual diplomas, one from Anhalt University and one from a Kazakhstani institution. A total of 100 state-funded scholarships will be awarded to students who qualify through a competitive selection process. The Almaty campus features modern classrooms and laboratories equipped for practical and research-based instruction in electronics, biomedical science, and information technology. “This is a large-scale initiative for young people in Kazakhstan who are eager to learn,” said Jörg Bagdahn, President of Anhalt University. “They now have the opportunity to obtain a German engineering degree without leaving their country.” Courses will be taught by faculty from Germany, and German language instruction is included in the curriculum. “Partnership with Anhalt University is a strategic step for Energo University,” said Rector Gani Cosmetology. “We are creating a platform to deliver top-tier European education locally.”