Higher Education - The Times Of Central Asia

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TCA Interviews

Why More Students in Kazakhstan Choose to Study Abroad

An increasing number of students in Kazakhstan are considering education abroad. For some, it offers access to high-quality academic programs; for others, it provides opportunities to gain international experience, learn new languages, and improve career prospects. Interest in foreign universities is growing among school graduates and their parents, who increasingly view overseas education as an investment in their children’s future. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, 678,100 students were enrolled in higher education institutions in Kazakhstan at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. At the same time, data from the International Trade Administration indicate that more than 90,000 Kazakhstani citizens are currently studying abroad. Sanzhar Uvashev, an employee of InterPress Abroad, a company that assists applicants seeking admission to foreign universities, spoke about the factors influencing students’ choices and the opportunities offered by international education. TCA: Tell us about your work. What does your organization do? Uvashev: Our company helps students apply to universities abroad. We support applicants in selecting academic programs, preparing documents, and navigating the entire admissions process. One of our distinguishing features is that we are not limited to a specific list of partner institutions or countries. We can assist students in applying to a wide range of universities, depending on their individual preferences. TCA: Which countries are currently the most popular destinations? Uvashev: We work with a broad range of destinations, particularly the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, as well as countries across Europe and Asia. Recently, students have shown greater interest in exploring multiple options rather than focusing on a single country. Some prioritize studying in an English-speaking environment, others seek more affordable tuition, while some focus on scholarship opportunities and employment prospects after graduation. TCA: What opportunities exist today for students from Central Asia to study abroad? Uvashev: Opportunities are expanding. Many universities are paying closer attention to applicants from Central Asia, as international students contribute to a more diverse academic environment. As a result, institutions are offering scholarships, tuition discounts, and preparatory programs. Awareness of the region is growing, and with it the range of options available to students. TCA: Why do students continue to choose the U.S. and other destinations? Uvashev: The U.S. remains one of the most popular destinations because of its strong universities and perceived career opportunities. At the same time, countries such as Italy, Austria, and China are also attracting interest. Italy and Austria appeal to students because public universities there can offer relatively affordable, and in some cases almost free, education. China has gained popularity due to the quality of its universities, their rising positions in global rankings, and the availability of scholarships for international students. TCA: Are there programs that allow students to study free of charge? Uvashev: Yes. Students often inquire about scholarship schemes that significantly reduce tuition fees or cover them entirely. Examples include the Bolashak international scholarship program, Stipendium Hungaricum, and Erasmus Mundus. These initiatives provide talented applicants with real opportunities to obtain an education abroad, provided they are well...

Education

Opinion: Examination Reform – An Effective Assessment Tool in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Kazakhstan’s decision to reform and expand assessment beyond the Unified National Testing (UNT) system marks a significant shift in how the country identifies talent and prepares young people for a rapidly changing world. Recently reported by Times Higher Education, the reform recognizes a growing reality: traditional, memory-based exams are no longer enough in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, automation and constant technological change. For more than two decades, the UNT has provided a standardized and transparent route into higher education. It brought clarity and fairness at scale, and for that, it deserves credit. Yet its core limitation has become increasingly clear. By focusing largely on the reproduction of subject knowledge, it leaves little room for students to demonstrate analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, or the capacity to work across disciplines. In practice, it rewards exam technique and memorization over deeper understanding. This matters because the skills now demanded of graduates are changing fast. Across the global labor market, employers are placing greater value on adaptability, technical literacy, and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings. International organizations have been clear on this point. The OECD’s Future of Education and Skills 2030 framework argues that education systems must develop cross-cutting competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and self-direction. The World Economic Forum has made a similar case, urging a move away from static, theoretical learning towards transferable, future-facing skills. As artificial intelligence becomes embedded across industries, assessment models need to keep pace. Evaluating what a student can recall under exam conditions is no longer a reliable proxy for how they will perform in complex, technology-rich environments. Research increasingly shows that standardized tests capture only part of an applicant’s potential, a point widely discussed in international higher education policy debates and assessments such as the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment. They can also reinforce socio-economic inequalities, as access to preparation resources often matters as much as ability. The result is a system that measures how well students survive exams, rather than how well they think. Kazakhstan’s new modular examination model is designed to respond directly to these challenges. Instead of testing knowledge in isolation, it aims to assess functional literacy, logic, analytical reasoning and critical thinking alongside mastery of the school curriculum. This more practice-oriented approach offers a fuller picture of a student’s readiness for higher education and, ultimately, for professional life. I see this shift every day in my work within Kazakhstan’s education ecosystem. The new test does not stand alone; it forms part of a wider effort to build coherence across schools, universities, policymakers and philanthropic organizations. Real, lasting change depends on alignment around shared goals, rather than on pilots or isolated initiatives. At the NNEF Public Foundation, established by the renowned educator Dinara Kulibayeva, this principle has guided our work for nearly three decades. Through a network of affiliated schools, universities and developmental programs - including Astana IT University, which I am proud to lead - we have helped young people across Kazakhstan learn, grow and realize their potential. Thousands...

Meruyert Bizhanova

From Fairy Tales to Oxford: The Academic Path of Meruyert Bizhanova

Education can change the course of a person’s life, shaping dreams and opening new horizons. The story of Meruyert Bizhanova, a young scholar from Kazakhstan who entered a doctoral program at the University of Oxford at the age of 24, is a striking example of how curiosity, determination, and mentorship can lead to remarkable achievements. A Passion for Learning from an Early Age Bizhanova’s love for learning began in early childhood. She recalls that by the time she was five years old, she had already read every fairy tale available in her school library. Reading stories and writing short narratives fascinated her, and books soon became her closest companions. Her academic development later flourished at Nazarbayev University, where supportive professors encouraged her intellectual curiosity and motivated her to pursue opportunities abroad. She particularly acknowledges the influence of mentors such as Vice-Provost Loretta O’Donnell and professors Tursonjan Tokay, Thomas Duke, Warren Rocco, and Marilyn Plumlee. According to Bizhanova, these mentors taught her the importance of discipline, dedication, and sincerity in academic work. Graduate Studies in the United States After completing her undergraduate education, Bizhanova decided to continue her academic journey internationally. She chose the University of Pennsylvania for her master’s studies, aiming to gain globally recognized academic training and deepen her research in the field of higher education. The University of Pennsylvania is widely known for its strong academic tradition in higher education policy and leadership, which closely aligns with her research interests. During her master’s program in educational leadership, Bizhanova studied international education policy, governance of higher education systems, research methodology, and leadership strategies. Beyond classroom learning, the university provided opportunities for internships, research collaborations, professional networking, and career development. Studying at one of the world’s leading universities also gave her access to a global academic community and opened new professional possibilities. [caption id="attachment_45030" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Image: personal archive[/caption] Why Oxford? For Bizhanova, the University of Oxford had long symbolized academic excellence. From childhood, she had heard of it as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Admission to Oxford’s doctoral programs is highly competitive, and thousands of candidates apply each year, but only a small number are admitted. For example, the DPhil in Education, which Bizhanova is studying for, has approximately 200 applications per year, out of which around 38 students are selected. Being accepted into Oxford’s doctoral program, Bizhanova says, is both an honor and a responsibility. When considering where to pursue her PhD, she realized that several Oxford scholars were conducting research closely related to her own academic interests. Her professors at the University of Pennsylvania were also familiar with these scholars and encouraged her to apply, recognizing Oxford as one of the leading centers for research on higher education. Researching the Future of Universities Bizhanova’s doctoral research focuses on universities in post-Soviet countries and how they attempt to balance teaching responsibilities with the development of scientific research. Many universities in this region inherited complex institutional traditions and governance structures from the Soviet era. Today,...

Higher Education

American AI Company to Help Kazakhstan Develop University Admissions Exam

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the AI-based education company ETS say they are developing a new university admissions exam, the Admissions Insight Test (AIT), as part of a partnership launched in November 2025 to modernize the country’s national admissions system. Officials say the test is also meant to support the international recognition of results in future. “The Admissions Insight Test represents a decisive step forward for Kazakhstan’s higher education system,” said Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education. “By building this new admissions exam in partnership with ETS, we are strengthening trust, fairness, and global alignment in how students enter our universities. This work positions Kazakhstan to lead in education innovation while ensuring our students are prepared for success in a rapidly changing, international, and AI-driven world.” ETS, which is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey with offices worldwide, said the AIT would be modular. “Subject Modules” would align with the school curriculum and a student’s intended field of study. Separate “Skills Based Tests” would measure critical thinking, academic writing and research skills, communication, quantitative and digital literacy, and creative or design thinking. The ETS Research Institute is expected to work alongside Kazakhstan’s education leaders and National Testing Center specialists, using AI and advanced analytics to streamline development and deepen the insights universities get from results. Kazakhstan already uses nationwide testing as a central gateway into university, and policymakers have linked admissions changes to a broader push to become a regional education hub. “Around the world, governments are rethinking how education systems measure readiness for the future and they are turning to ETS because trust, rigor, and global expertise matter,” said Kadriye Ercikan, Senior Vice President of Global Research at ETS. “Our work with Kazakhstan reflects the same responsibility we bring to partnerships with education systems worldwide: applying the strongest measurement science, responsible innovation, and AI-enabled approaches to help countries build assessment systems that are fair, credible, and internationally respected.” The project sits alongside Kazakhstan’s higher education transformation and its decision to join OpenAI’s Education for Countries program as officials look to prepare students for an AI-shaped economy.

Higher Education

Tajikistan Admits Over 600 Students Following Expulsion or Entry Denial in Russia

More than 6,000 applicants from Tajikistan were admitted to Russian universities in 2025, signaling that Russia is still the primary destination for Tajik students pursuing higher education abroad. The figures were announced by Tajikistan’s Minister of Education and Science, Rahim Saidzoda, during a press conference, according to Russia’s state news agency TASS. Saidzoda reported that during the 2025-2026 academic year, a total of 6,665 Tajik applicants enrolled in foreign universities. Of these, 551 chose destinations other than Russia, while more than 6,000 began their studies at Russian institutions. Admissions took place both through government-allocated quotas and standard entry procedures. At the same briefing, Deputy Minister of Education Lutfia Abdulholikzoda stated that over 600 Tajik students that had previously been expelled or denied entry to Russia in 2025 were subsequently admitted to universities in Tajikistan. She did not elaborate on the reasons for their removal but confirmed that they had been able to resume their education at home. Russian education remains highly popular among Tajik students. Each year, Russia allocates approximately 1,000 government-funded study placements for Tajik nationals. In October 2025, Russia’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Semyon Grigoryev, said that out of 43,000 Tajik students studying abroad, more than 30,000 were enrolled in Russian institutions. Russian higher education is also present within Tajikistan. The Russian-Tajik Slavonic University enrolls over 6,000 students, while local branches of Moscow State University, the National University of Science and Technology MISIS, and the Moscow Power Engineering Institute collectively educate more than 8,000. In addition, several schools in Tajikistan operate entirely in Russian, and five Russian-funded schools built in 2022 follow Russian educational standards.

Higher Education

From Central Asia to the World: How a U.S.-Raised Kazakh Founder Is Using AI to Unlock Global Education

For many talented students across Central Asia, admission to the world’s leading universities remains an elusive goal, not due to a lack of ability, but because of complex application procedures, and expensive consulting services. A new AI platform, yoonee.ai, is working to change that. At the heart of the initiative is a woman bridging continents and reconnecting with her cultural roots. One of the platform’s co-founders is ethic Kazakh Gulmira Sage, who was adopted and raised in the United States. Despite growing up in America, she says her connection to Kazakhstan never waned. Last year, her journey back to Kazakhstan to meet her biological mother captured national attention. Now, she is once again in the spotlight, this time for launching a project that promises to reshape access to global education. “Coming back to my homeland after many years felt like reclaiming a missing part of myself,” she says. That personal journey now underpins the mission behind yoonee.ai: a platform designed to help students from Central Asia navigate international higher education systems with greater ease and confidence. From Aviation to AI Before venturing into the tech sector, Gulmira worked as an analyst at Delta Air Lines, one of the world’s largest carriers. There, she worked with complex datasets, financial models, and global logistics, skills she says sharpened her systems thinking. “My background is actually in aviation. I worked as an analyst at one of the biggest airlines in the world, dealing with complex data, financials, and the global logistics that keep an airline moving,” she explains. “Aviation connects people physically, and IT does the same thing electronically. Technology connects them digitally.” That experience fueled her belief that digital tools, and AI in particular, could help eliminate long-standing educational barriers. Together with her co-founders, Feruza and Aidana, she began building yoonee.ai, drawing on their shared academic and professional experiences in the U.S., France, and Kazakhstan. How the Platform Works Yoonee.ai allows students to upload academic documents directly into the system. Using AI, the platform translates them with academic accuracy and converts grades into internationally recognized formats. For instance, GPA scores from five-point or 100-point systems are standardized to U.S. benchmarks, allowing students to assess how competitive their profiles are for specific universities. The platform also offers a “match score” that estimates a student’s compatibility with selected institutions. According to the founders, many qualified applicants are rejected not for academic shortcomings but due to formatting errors or unmet technical requirements. “Geography Should Not Decide a Student’s Future” The team sees its mission as the democratization of global education. Their goal is to eliminate what they call the “geographic tax” – the added financial and informational burden on students from developing regions. This is especially relevant in rural parts of Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, where access to U.S.-trained admissions consultants is limited and often unaffordable. To improve accessibility, the platform will be available in Kazakh, Russian, and Uzbek, allowing students to explore global university options in their native languages, directly from their smartphones. Cultural...