An exhibition of foreign university branches, jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Akimat of the Karaganda Region, was held in Karaganda. This event was an important step in helping school graduates choose their future careers and find the best path to higher education.
The exhibition brought together representatives of the education sector, including Nurzhan Ilyash, Head of the Youth Policy Department of the Karaganda Region, Ruslan Emelbayev, Adviser to the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Nauzhan Didarbekova, Deputy Director of the National Testing Center, Bakhytzhan Zhumashov, career guidance specialist, as well as representatives of the country’s leading universities. The speakers provided school students and their parents with information about the possibility of obtaining an international diploma without leaving Kazakhstan.
“Today’s exhibition allows graduates to explore the educational programs of foreign universities that have opened branches in Kazakhstan. At present, strategic partnerships have been established with 23 foreign universities, and negotiations are underway with 11 more. This expands the educational horizons of Kazakhstani youth, as such universities offer access to international education standards with the support of state grants,” noted Ruslan Emelbayev, Adviser to the Minister of Science and Higher Education.
Foreign university branches are being opened in line with regional needs. The exhibition featured universities tailored to Kazakhstan’s labor market and industrial sector. One of the most popular among applicants was the Scottish HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY, which has been operating since 2022 at Zhubanov University in Aktobe. Currently, about 600 students are studying at this university, which attracts applicants with its high ranking and accessible admission requirements.
“To enroll at HERIOT-WATT UNIVERSITY, the results of the Unified National Testing (UNT) are sufficient, and English proficiency can be confirmed through an internal exam instead of IELTS. This significantly simplifies the admission process for Kazakhstani applicants. Additionally, our students can study and gain experience at the university’s branches in Malaysia, Dubai, and Edinburgh,” said Askarbek Imansheyev, lecturer at the Department of Mathematics at Zhubanov University.
The exhibition generated great interest among school students and their parents, as it provided them with up-to-date insights into opportunities for obtaining an international education in Kazakhstan.
“I learned about the possibility of obtaining a dual degree and discovered opportunities I hadn’t known about before. It was especially useful to explore universities offering physics and mathematics programs. Now I have a clearer understanding of the direction I want to take,” shared Anar Alzhappar, a high school graduate.
In addition to university booths and meetings with representatives, the exhibition featured master classes, interactive games, and quizzes, which helped applicants better understand their interests and aptitudes for certain professions.
It is worth noting that the exhibition, which started today in Karaganda, will continue for 15 days, traveling to Astana, Almaty, Taraz, Shymkent, Turkestan, and Kyzylorda. This is just the first phase, with similar events planned for other regions of Kazakhstan in the future.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University for helping organize the event. In their view, such initiatives help school graduates make informed decisions and find the best opportunities for their future education and career paths.