From Kazakhstan to Arizona: First Student Cohort Marks Nation’s Education Hub Ambitions
On August 23, 2025, 29 students from Kozybayev University in Petropavlovsk arrived at the University of Arizona. Their journey marks the start of a dual-degree program that allows Kazakh students to spend a semester in the U.S. while completing the rest of their studies at home. Graduates will receive two diplomas, one from each institution. The program, launched under President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s directive, is Kazakhstan’s first large-scale partnership with a U.S. university. Fully funded by the state, it covers tuition, housing, visas, and travel expenses. Courses are offered in biotechnology, information systems, and inclusive education - fields aligned with Kazakhstan’s development priorities. Part of a Broader Strategy This initiative is not just about Kozybayev University. It is part of a broader government strategy to internationalize higher education and transform Kazakhstan into an academic hub for Central Asia. In 2022, Tokayev set a goal of opening five foreign university branches by 2025. Since then, partnerships have multiplied: De Montfort University (UK) in Almaty, MEPhI and Gubkin University (Russia) in Almaty and Atyrau, and the University of Arizona in Petropavlovsk. Others are in development, including Heriot-Watt University (Scotland), SeoulTech (South Korea), and Tianjin University (China). These ventures come with incentives. The government treats foreign universities as “strategic investors,” offering land, tax breaks, and simplified bureaucracy. In return, Kazakhstan gains access to advanced curricula and English-language teaching, while local universities benefit from joint research and faculty exchanges. Building Domestic Capacity Kozybayev University has expanded rapidly to accommodate the Arizona program: a new academic laboratory, dormitories, and upgraded infrastructure are in place. The university is also hosting students from 16 countries, including a hundred from Türkiye. This signals a shift - Petropavlovsk, once peripheral in academic terms, is now a point of attraction for international students. The government’s long-term aim is to convert more domestic universities into research-intensive institutions. By embedding foreign collaborations into the national strategy, Kazakhstan hopes to ensure lasting benefits rather than temporary prestige projects. Rising Student Mobility Kazakhstan’s pivot to become an education destination reflects changing regional dynamics. More than 31,000 foreign students now study in Kazakhstan, including over 12,000 from India in medical programs. This is a sharp rise from a few years ago and a reversal of the trend where most Kazakh students went abroad, often to Russia. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education is actively promoting the country under the “Study in Kazakhstan” campaign, targeting markets like Pakistan, China, and Azerbaijan. For many students, Kazakhstan offers lower costs than the West and the chance to earn dual degrees with reputable foreign institutions. For many international students, Kazakhstan is becoming an appealing study destination. Tuition fees are comparatively low - ranging from US $1,500 to $5,000 per year - while monthly living costs are in the U.S. $550–$750 range, encompassing accommodation, food, transport, and essentials. These financial benefits, along with government scholarships, English-taught programs, and dual-degree opportunities, make Kazakhstan an increasingly attractive option. Lessons from Abroad Kazakhstan’s ambition echoes strategies pursued by the UAE and Singapore. Dubai, for example,...
