Why are more Uzbeks choosing to study in Kazakhstan?

**Why do Uzbeks prefer to study in Kazakhstan?**

Today, getting an international education is not just an opportunity, but a conscious choice. Vice President of Nazarbayev University, Doctor of Science and international expert Asel Uvaliyeva spoke about the changes in the higher education market and Kazakhstan's role in this process.

Against the backdrop of global instability, rising education prices, tightening visa procedures and security issues, Kazakhstan is seen as a stable and favorable environment for studying.

In recent years, many families have sought to study abroad, often not considering Kazakh higher education institutions as an alternative. This is mainly due to the stereotype that the quality of local education is insufficient. The main task of higher education institutions is to eliminate this stereotype.

An example of this is Nazarbayev University (NU), which is today one of the leading research universities in Central Asia. International rankings also confirm this. According to the prestigious Times Higher Education ranking, NU rose 100 places in one year and is among the 23% of the best universities in the world. Importantly, the university was founded not hundreds of years ago, like many universities on the list, but only 15 years ago. This is a truly impressive figure for a 15-year-old university.

Students from Uzbekistan are also choosing this higher education institution to study. This year, 26 Uzbeks were admitted to NU. A special “Abay” grant has been introduced at NU for talented foreign students.

To meet market demands, NU has launched dual degree programs with The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), SOAS University of London, and recently signed a memorandum of understanding with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). At the same time, studying in Kazakhstan will be much cheaper than in London or Hong Kong.

A strong cluster of universities is currently forming in Central Asia, whose graduates are highly valued in global and local markets. According to the university, 96% of NU graduates get a job in the first year after graduation and build a career in large technology companies such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, as well as in large private and quasi-state structures of Kazakhstan. NU graduates are also accepted into grant programs at world universities such as Oxford, Harvard, Sapienza University of Rome, MIT.

Since its establishment, the university has trained more than 12,000 specialists. Among them are top managers, entrepreneurs, startup founders, representatives of science and medicine. NU graduates are startups, specialists in artificial intelligence and consulting, government officials, social entrepreneurs, and scientists working in various fields.

The average age of graduates is 30-35 years. The university does not expect outstanding achievements from graduates now, but they will definitely be in the future. It is worth highlighting the networking factor. Unlike education abroad, where connections often remain outside of Kazakhstan, NU forms a professional community within the country. Graduates not only receive education, but also establish long-term partnerships.

This is undoubtedly a good investment. NU offers one of the strongest academic products in the region. It is a research university, the mission of which is to develop Kazakhstan through world-class education, science, and innovation. This is a key difference, because it is the symbiosis of science and industry that will drive the country's development in the future.

“Our ecosystem is built in such a way that it helps research go beyond the laboratory and be applied in real life. Many startups and scientific projects created at NU are now successful market products, such as Mirai Tech and Artisan Education. Another difference is flexibility. We see global trends, understand what professions are needed, and are changing our programs to train competitive and in-demand specialists,” said Asel Uvaliyeva.

This year, the university received a record number of applications, almost 12,000 applicants expressed their desire to study at NU. At the same time, the quality of those entering is increasing year by year. The level of education of schoolchildren has increased significantly. Not everyone could get a grant, since their number is limited, but it is possible to study at the university on a fee-for-service basis and get the same education.

A lot of masters study at NU. This year, the university has allocated 200 grants for PhD students, as it intends to train doctoral candidates in a targeted manner. For them, three-year DBA and DPA programs have been launched at the Graduate School of Business and the Graduate School of Public Policy, without leaving work. Next year, the university will launch one-year Professional Masters programs for working professionals.

In addition, large transnational companies such as Google have shown interest in the university and are considering cooperation with it.

Today, the cost of studying at NU is $ 12,000 per year. At the same time, the student will receive a fundamentally different level of education: an international faculty, teaching only in English, the opportunity to engage in scientific research and publish in Q1 journals, as well as a full-fledged infrastructure and ecosystem for development - a modern library, athletics and medical centers, comfortable dormitories.

Safety remains the most important factor for parents. The university campus operates as a fully autonomous environment with a 24-hour surveillance system. All infrastructure, from dormitories to academic buildings, is connected by closed corridors, which is especially important given the climatic conditions.

“If we compare the cost of living for a student at a mid-level university abroad and the cost of studying at NU, the choice of quality education at an international level in Kazakhstan becomes clear. We are increasingly observing that students are transferred to us in the middle of the academic year, not receiving the expected quality education abroad,” says the vice-president of the university.

This is one of the main factors. NU is not only an academic environment, but also a place for personal development. The university has more than 100 student clubs, ranging from sports and robotics to cultural and creative initiatives. The higher education institution consciously strikes a balance between academic knowledge and traditional values.