Unique Opportunities For Youth. Center for International Programs designed for Kazakhstan’s and Foreign Students

The strategy for the development of higher education and science in Kazakhstan is built on preserving its own strong academic school and actively attracting the world's best practices. In this ecosystem, integration takes place on two levels at once – through strengthening interstate partnerships and through a live, personal dialogue between students and researchers from different countries. The Center for International Programs plays a key role in implementing this course. Abay RAKHMET, Chairman of the Board of the Center, told our magazine in an interview how the organization creates new opportunities for domestic and foreign scientists and transforms international academic exchange.

– Abay Amandykovich, a powerful network of foreign universities is developing in the country, while the Bolashak program not only remains, but is expanding. Do these two directions complement each other?

– The Bolashak program and the opening of branches of foreign universities in Kazakhstan are complementary directions working towards a single strategic goal.

Branches of leading foreign universities expand access to international educational standards within the country. The Bolashak gives Kazakhstan’s citizens an opportunity to gain unique academic, professional, and cultural experience directly abroad. Their common goal is the formation of a new generation of professionals possessing modern knowledge, international experience, and an ability to respond  effectively to the challenges and dynamic changes of the global economy.

The Bolashak continues to evolve and improve taking into account modern challenges and state priorities. Today, special attention is paid to training personnel for high-tech industries that determine the country's future – artificial intelligence, the nuclear industry, engineering, medicine, and other areas that contribute to the implementation of advanced knowledge.

– Today, if a young person has financial means and language skills, the whole world is open to them. But what opportunities in getting an education at a dream university does the Bolashak program offer to talented youth without sufficient financial resources, and what obligations arise for graduates after completing their studies?

– The Bolashak international scholarship covers major expenses associated with studying and living abroad, including tuition fees, a monthly allowance, medical insurance, visa fees, travel to and from the place of study, as well as the purchase of educational literature. This program now covers bachelor's, master's, residency, and doctoral levels, providing an opportunity for our youth to study at leading foreign universities on a full-time basis.

Also within the framework of the Bolashak program, we administer internships in foreign organizations for employees whose categories are determined by the Republican Commission for Training Staff Abroad.

Today, these are workers in the engineering and technical field, agro-industrial complex, nuclear industry, mass media, culture, tourism, and sports, healthcare workers, judges and court employees, users of artificial intelligence systems, teachers of preschool, secondary, technical, and vocational education, teachers and staff of higher and postgraduate education organizations, and civil servants.

To participate in the competitive selection for the scholarship award, in addition to having an appropriate level of education, applicants must confirm proficiency in the state language at a level not lower than B1, as well as, depending on the applicant's category, meet the established requirements for foreign language proficiency and have an unconditional invitation from a foreign educational organization. For applicants for professional internships, a requirement of at least three years of work experience is provided.

In 2026, the list of recommended foreign educational organizations for academic study includes about 500 leading universities from more than 30 countries around the world.

As for the arising obligations, depending on the training category and the level of the educational program, graduates are required to carry out continuous work activity in Kazakhstan for three or five years, ensuring the practical application of the acquired knowledge and experience in the interests of the country's development.

– You also coordinate studies under international agreements. With which countries are they concluded and how do they differ from the Bolashak program?

– Unlike the Bolashak program, which is fully funded by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the education of Kazakhstan’s citizens under international agreements is funded by a receiving foreign side in accordance with the established conditions.

Today, such agreements are signed with the Republic of Azerbaijan, Hungary, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Poland, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and the Slovak Republic.

Within these agreements, educational grants are provided for study in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

Funding conditions vary depending on a country and provisions of the relevant international agreement. That is, the amount of financial support provided – tuition, stipend, accommodation costs, medical insurance, transport expenses, and other support measures – is determined by the host foreign party and the terms of a specific program.

Competitive selection is implemented in accordance with the rules of the program and the requirements of the host party, which include, among other things, an appropriate level of foreign language proficiency, grade point average of the educational document, as well as an invitation from a foreign educational organization.

An opportunity to receive an education abroad within the framework of international agreements concluded between Kazakhstan and other countries opens up broad prospects for professional and academic development for our youth.

– Can students from other countries count on a scholarship to study in Kazakhstan?

– Yes, foreign citizens and persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan have an opportunity to receive education at Kazakhstan’s universities free of charge.

Annually, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan allocates 550 grants for these categories of students of bachelor's (490 grants), master's (50 grants), and doctoral (10 grants) programs.

Competitive selection for this scholarship program is conducted based on the academic achievements of the applicants and interview results. To participate in the competition, in addition to the main documents, it is necessary to submit a motivational essay, letters of recommendation, and also proficiency in the language of instruction at a level not lower than B2.

The acceptance of documents from foreign students and persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan is carried out online from March 30 to May 31. All information about the scholarship program is published annually on the official website of the Center for International Programs (https://www.bolashak.gov.kz/en/scholarship-program).

Interest in studying in Kazakhstan is growing every year.

While in 2025 applications for participation in the program came from 57 countries, in 2026 the geography expanded to 71 countries, and the total number of applications exceeded 16,000 people. 

Most students come to us from the CIS, Central, South, and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

To familiarize foreign applicants with the opportunities that Kazakhstan provides in obtaining higher education, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with our Center for International Programs, regularly holds Study in Kazakhstan international educational fairs, presentations, meetings with foreign partners, and information campaigns. Expanding the geography of participants in the educational process in Kazakhstan and developing international cooperation with foreign universities speaks to the strengthening of the country's position as one of the leading educational centers in Central Asia, and the development of Kazakhstan as a regional academic hub.

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– Let's talk about the support that Kazakhstan’s scientists receive via the "Scientific Internships" program.

– Via this program, Kazakhstan’s scientists, scientific workers, and department members can undergo an internship at leading foreign universities, scientific centers, and research organizations lasting from 3 to 12 months, improving research competencies and mastering advanced scientific methods and technologies. And, certainly, it contributes to the development of scientific cooperation between Kazakhstan’s and foreign researchers.

The state covers the main expenses associated with the internship, including the cost of the internship itself, a monthly allowance, medical insurance, visa expenses, travel to and from the place of the internship, and several other expenses.

To participate in the competitive selection for a scientific internship, applicants must have postgraduate education, at least one year of continuous work experience in the chosen field of specialization in an accredited organization, an unconditional invitation from a foreign host organization, confirmed proficiency in the state and foreign languages, as well as at least one scientific article or review published in journals indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, or included in the established list of scientific publications.

Special attention is paid to the practical orientation of the program. Research topics and the internship program are formed taking into account the professional activity of a scientist and the needs of the sending organization to ensure the application of the acquired knowledge, technologies, and research experience after returning to Kazakhstan. The result of the internship is often the creation of new scientific links and joint international projects.

– You also received an education at leading London business schools. Would you share your personal experience of what this study gave you, how it influenced your outlook and approach to management? And what, in your opinion, is the main value of overseas education for young people?

– Studying at foreign business schools became for me not only an opportunity to gain modern knowledge in the field of management, but also a valuable life experience.

Staying in another country allows one to take a fresh look at the organization of state and public processes, get acquainted with the world's best practices, and understand how effective management systems and interaction between the state, business, and the academic community are built. Such experience forms a broader professional outlook.

An equally important component is an opportunity to build international professional connections. During studies, a circle of communication is formed with representatives of different countries, universities, and organizations, which later becomes the basis for the scientific, educational, and professional cooperation. These contacts retain their value even after completing studies, creating additional opportunities for implementing joint projects.

In my opinion, the main value of overseas education lies in the opportunity to adopt advanced international experience and adapt it to the conditions of Kazakhstan. The key idea of the international educational programs administered by our Center is the return of experts and the implementation of the world's best standards in public administration, education, science, and the economy. The acquired knowledge and competencies work for the development of our country.

Personally for me, overseas education became an important foundation in my professional activities. The gained experience helps me apply modern approaches to the management, develop international cooperation, implement the world's best practices in the work of the Center for International Programs, and increase the effectiveness of implementing international educational programs in the interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

– What is the future development strategy of the Center for International Education and its immediate tasks?

– We will pay special attention to the further development of partnerships with leading foreign universities, scientific organizations, employers, and international partners, the growth of academic mobility, the expansion of opportunities for foreign students to study in Kazakhstan, and the strengthening of the country's position as a regional educational hub.

At the same time, work will continue to ensure the openness of competitive procedures and the transparency of decision-making.

The main goal of the Center's activities remains unchanged – contributing to the training of highly qualified personnel, the development of the country's scientific potential, the internationalization of higher education, and the strengthening of international cooperation. All decisions made and the further development of programs will be based on the strategic priorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the needs of the economy, science, and the higher education system.

Interview prepared

by A. SAMSONOV

Reference

Joint-Stock Company "Center for International Programs", the administrator of the "Bolashak" international scholarship and the "Scientific Internships" program, was established in 2005 by a decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Center organizes a competitive selection of applicants, coordinates studies and internships, monitors the educational process of scholarship holders, and ensures control over the fulfillment of contractual obligations by graduates.

The Center for International Programs also organizes the acceptance of documents and conducts a competitive selection for awarding grants to Kazakhstan’s youth within the framework of international agreements and contracts, as well as under the Scholarship Program for foreign citizens and persons of Kazakh nationality who are not citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Board of Directors of the Center brings together top managers, representatives of ministries, and independent experts.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors is Ruslan Sultanov, President of the "PharmMedIndustry of Kazakhstan" Association, who has many years of experience in governmental agencies and economic policy.

The Management Board of the Center for International Programs includes specialists with an international education. The Chairman of the Management Board, Abay Rakhmet, is a graduate of the London School of Commerce, the London School of Business and Finance, and D.A. Kunaev Eurasian Law Academy. His total work experience spans more than 13 years at executive and managerial levels in state and quasi-state structures, national companies, and the private sector.

You can receive a consultation at the office of the Center for International Programs at the following address: Astana, 70 Syganak Street, "Syganak" Business Center, Floor 5.

Consultations are also provided by phone: +7 (7172) 76-90-76 (extension numbers: 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, 301).

Up-to-date information on programs, terms of participation, deadlines for document submission, and competitive selection is available on the official website of the Center for International Programs: www.bolashak.gov.kz.

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ABSTRACT

Abay Rakhmet, Chairman of the Management Board of the Center, speaks about the activities of the Center for International Programs, which since 2005 has been administering the education of Kazakhstan’s youth abroad and foreign students in universities of Kazakhstan, as well as internships for domestic scientists.