Downsizing Higher Education in Kazakhstan: Will It Boost Competitiveness?

Abstract

The paper examines the expected impact by the current policy approach taken by the Ministry of Education and Research in Kazakhstan (KZ) that seeks to decrease the number of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in this country. This policy approach is carried out through a set of specific policies (steps) affecting Higher Education (HE) market operators. These policies aim at raising HE standards and overall competitiveness of KZ HEI. This exploratory study seeks to examine the underlying assumption about the causal relationship between a smaller number of stricter HE policy-compliant HEI and the resultant competitiveness of the national HE. As an outcome, the paper produces a summative view of HEI's perceptions and attitude toward the current set of HE policies intended to reduce the supply-side size of HE market in KZ. The study also provides the findings regarding assessments by HEI-based stakeholders in Kazakhstan regarding the relative effectiveness of each of those policies as well their perceptions of the forthcoming reforms in the area of Academic Liberty (Self-governance) in KZ.