Higher Education and Sustainable Development in Kazakhstan

Abstract

In recent years, the understanding of the global economy has shifted. As economies across the world continue to rapidly develop, it has become clear that reliance on natural resource exploitation for growth and development is unsustainable. An essential part of developing a new model for development for any country will be reforming the education system of that country to meet the needs of a changing economy. This article analyzes the case of Kazakhstan and the steps it has taken to reform its education system in the context of sustainable development. Kazakhstan's experience reflects challenges and attempted reforms throughout the post-Soviet space. The reforms enacted by the Kazakhstani government have taken initial steps towards shaping its education system to support a new economy, though many challenges remain to be addressed