At the Government Session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Talgat Yeshenkulov presented a report on the current state of higher education in Kazakhstan, the start of the Unified National Testing (UNT), student support measures, and allocated scholarships.

According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, 122 higher education institutions currently operate in the country, including 10 research universities and 23 branches. In the 2024–2025 academic year, over 680,200 students are enrolled in civil universities, including 624,500 in undergraduate programs, 39,200 in master’s programs, 7,600 in doctoral programs, and 8,900 in residency training.

The largest number of graduates are in the following fields: education – 48,400 students; business, management, and law – 24,600; engineering – 24,300; information and communication technologies – 13,400; healthcare – 10,300; and agriculture – 1,800.

This year, the total number of graduates is 177,586. The number of international students is 31,500. For the first time, the number of students from Asian countries has exceeded those from CIS countries: 17,456 from Asia and 12,816 from the CIS.

Student employment programs such as Zhasyl El and construction brigades are being implemented across the country, involving more than 30,000 students. In addition, academic and industrial internships will be provided to around 140,000 students. During their internships, students perform job-related tasks that count toward their work experience.

The UNT for university applicants is being held from May 16 to July 7 at 46 regional centers across the country.

According to the Ministry, the regional centers are located in 8 cities of national significance, 16 regional centers, 18 large district centers, and 4 cities of regional importance. The centers are equipped with 5,800 computers, uninterrupted internet access, video servers, mobile signal jammers, metal detectors, surveillance cameras, facial recognition tablets, security alarms, VPN channel switches, and power generators.

The National Testing Center’s information systems meet cybersecurity standards. The Cyber Attack Response and Coordination Center (CARC) ensures the functioning of the Security Operations Center and provides rapid response to incidents.

“Applicants choose the date, time, and testing center themselves. They have the opportunity to take the UNT twice during this period and submit their best score for the scholarship competition. In 2025, around 217,000 school graduates are expected to finish school, and 183,000 have registered for the UNT. Compared to last year, 30,000 more students are taking the test. After completing the UNT, graduates will be able to review both their correct and incorrect answers, as well as access a detailed analysis of their results,” Talgat Yeshenkulov stated.

Regional commissions have been formed, comprising representatives from local executive bodies, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, universities, and education departments. These commissions ensure public safety, fire protection, anti-terrorism measures, and provide medical and psychological support. The Ministry of Digital Development ensures uninterrupted internet access at testing centers during the UNT period.

According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, applications for the scholarship competition will be accepted from July 13 to July 20, and results will be announced by August 10. University enrollment will be completed by August 25.

The current academic year will conclude by July 10, and preparations for the new academic year are already underway.

“Over the past five years, the number of scholarships in Kazakhstan has increased by 1.4 times. For the 2024–2025 academic year, 93,116 scholarships have been allocated. In addition, starting from September 1 of this year, student stipends will be increased. The stipend for undergraduate students will be 52,372 tenge, for master’s students – 117,098 tenge, and for doctoral students – 262,500 tenge. This means that the stipend for undergraduates will double compared to 2020, and for master’s and doctoral students it will increase by 1.75 times,” Talgat Yeshenkulov stated.

Under the instruction of the Head of State, a law has been adopted to introduce the unified voluntary savings system Keleshek. This will become an additional mechanism to improve access to higher education and will combine existing support measures. As of today, 102,000 individual savings accounts have been opened.

Significant progress is also being made in infrastructure development. The shortage of dormitory beds has decreased from 82,500 in 2019 to 14,873 in 2024. For children with special educational needs, the public service for dormitory placement is provided proactively.

#Education #Government session

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