By Louis Theroux
Most countries are coming to the understanding that the most promising investments for the future are investments in the education system. And those who rely on the creation of investment funds aimed at financing new educational institutions or educational programs always come out on top. Fortunately, there are countries in which such initiatives are not only welcomed, but also actively supported by the government, which creates the most favorable conditions for this.
The world of high technology is becoming a universal key to success. But in order to get to this treasured key, it is necessary to educate a highly educated society that could, like an experienced mechanic, sharpen this very tool, that is, prepare the younger generation for future breakthroughs in the scientific and technical sphere. Therefore, it is not surprising that many countries today invest huge amounts of money in the development of secondary and higher education, while simultaneously creating a comfortable climate for those who would like to invest in new educational projects in this country.
Kazakhstan, a country known for its vast steppes and rich cultural heritage, is making significant strides in the realm of education. Over the past few decades, Kazakhstan has undergone a remarkable transformation in its educational landscape. So, what is the secret behind this progress?”
Over the past few years, while surfing the Internet, I have come across publications that reported on victories in various scientific competitions by schoolchildren and students from Kazakhstan, a country located in Central Asia that our comedian and cinematic rake Sacha Baron Cohen once identified as the object of his ridicule. To satisfy my journalistic curiosity, I tried to find the origins of this phenomenon, and what I managed to find out will surely surprise not only the actor who played Borat, but also all our readers.
So, in 2024 alone, investments in fixed capital in the field of education in Kazakhstan reached almost $ 1 billion, which is 69.2% more than the year before. According to Energyprom, most of the investments were from the republican budget – 5.8 times more than last year. Agree, such investments cannot but affect not only the quality of education, but also the prospects of research projects.
Investing in education in this country is an important aspect of the country’s development and includes various approaches and strategies. For example, there are government programs that offer financial assistance to students, as well as grants for research projects and the development of educational institutions. Participation in such programs can significantly improve access to education and enhance the quality of the educational process.
At the same time, the state specifically supports private investors who may consider investing in private universities and colleges with unique educational programs. It is also possible to create companies providing services in the field of higher education, such as online courses and educational platforms.
Particular attention is paid to the creation of investment funds focused on education, which can be an effective way to finance new educational institutions or educational initiatives. Attracting private investors to develop and implement new educational technologies is also an important area. At the same time, establishing partnerships with foreign educational institutions allows for the organization of student and teacher exchanges, as well as joint educational programs, which helps improve the quality of education.
Crowdfunding platforms are actively used in the country to raise funds for educational projects, such as new curricula or construction projects for educational institutions. Investing in advanced training and retraining programs for employees through higher education institutions allows improving the professional skills of employees and increasing their competitiveness in the labor market. And as a result, investing in scientific research and development conducted at universities, which lead to new discoveries and innovations.
Today, with the support of KAZAKH INVEST, two large-scale projects in the field of education are already being implemented in the republic with the participation of investors from the UAE and Singapore. Enterprising Arabs realized before Europeans that investments in this area in Kazakhstan would very quickly bring dividends, which basically happened. The Kazakh government has defined a comprehensive approach to investing in high-quality education systems as a strategic priority, with the expectation that in the post-industrial era, not material, but intellectual resources and technologies will determine the results of successful socio-economic growth and sustainable development.
