The Student-As-Consumer (SAC) Approach in Higher Education in Kazakhstan: Theory and Practice

Abstract

After joining the Bologna process in 2010 the Kazakhstani system of education has transformed into 3 cycle training: Bachelor – Master – PhD. The process of integration of Kazakhstani universities into the international educational space has also begun. One of the main points of transformation was the attitude towards a student, which is declared by the student-based approach of the Bologna process, humanistic bases of modern theories of education and «student-as-consumer» approach (SAC). The article is aimed at detailing the features of a modern trend of promoting the concept of SAC (student-as-consumer) in the Kazakhstan, and the existing contradictions, or pressure, to grip the students' view in a time frame of 30 years of a new system of higher education, to propose recommendations for overcoming them in line with global trends and experience. Research methods: literature analysis and a survey of teachers and students. The article offers an overview of the «student-as-consumer» approach, which is associated with the emergence of market relations and the increase in personal financial contribution of students to their higher education. The focus of the study is to identify how students perceive current higher education and whether universities are in line with the «student-as-consumer» approach. The survey indicates that the attitude of a student as a consumer of educational services is still at the stage of formation. It also discusses the consequences of the «student-as-consumer» approach for both universities and students.