A New Time Requires New Specific Actions from Society and the State

A New Time Requires New Specific Actions from Society and the State

Response to the Speech of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on January 28, 2025

I read with great interest the speech of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, at the expanded meeting of the Government on January 28, 2025.

Today, time is changing rapidly, with fundamental changes occurring worldwide related to new technologies. All areas of society are being digitized, information is spreading at unprecedented speeds, many professions may lose their relevance, and new professions directly related to informatization have emerged. It is also important to note that new threats directly related to globalization have emerged.

Let us turn our attention to the system of higher education. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is the flagship of higher education in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The university operates 16 faculties, with more than 28,000 students. By the Government decree of July 25, 2022, KazNU was granted the status of a research university. According to the QS international ranking, Al-Farabi KazNU ranks 163rd among the world’s top 800 universities.

It is essential to maintain the pace and quality of reforms in the field of science and higher education. One important direction is the differentiation of the educational order depending on the university rankings. It is necessary to ensure the clear and targeted use of allocated funds. We agree with the President’s statement that budget funds should only be received by those universities, institutes, and researchers who are actually conducting high-quality and in-demand research.

Doctor of Law, Professor

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

Ibrayeva Alua Salamatosovna