Tengrinews.kz - Senator Saken Arubaev has raised concerns over Kazakhstan's water sector, warning that the country could face a 50% water shortage by 2040.
Citing UN forecasts, Arubaev highlighted key issues, including aging infrastructure, 40% water loss in agriculture, and a lack of qualified personnel.
"70% of industry workers lack specialized education, and many have no higher education at all. Although 300 students train in the sector annually, only 20% find jobs in their field," he noted
Despite the creation of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the establishment of the Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation, the institution faces challenges such as outdated facilities, a lack of laboratory equipment, and insufficient staff and students.
To address these problems, Arubaev proposed increasing government grants, raising salaries for water sector professionals, expanding academic exchange programs, and granting the university the authority to design and assess water infrastructure projects.
Previously, the Kazakh government announced it would be developing a concept for establishing science cities ("naukograds"), focusing on regions with a high concentration of research institutes and innovative industrial enterprises.