Universities in Kazakhstan to be granted greater autonomy in 2016

The 2011-2020 government program on education modernization in Kazakhstan is called to create an environment for universities to be granted a greater autnonmy, Kazakh Telecommunications Agency reports referring to the Ministry of Education and Science. “Starting in 2015 more autonomy will be given to national research universities, in 2016 – to national educational institutions, and in 2018 to the rest of higher educational institutions,” a statement by the Ministry of Education reads. New principles of the university autonomy will be developed, which will include independency in undertaking educational, research, financial, international and other activities, based on the “Nazarbayev University” model. State universities will become autonomous non-profit organizations,” the press-release states. Aside from that, it is planned to introduce boards of trustees, which universities will report to, as well as mechanisms for transparency of universities’ activities. The state universities will have a more transparent system of rectors’ (same as vice chancellor) appointment.