On February 13, 2026, in Almaty, an extended board meeting of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan titled “Higher Education and Science: The Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence” was held with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva. The Chairman of the Board – Rector of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Bolat Tilep, also took part in the meeting.

At the extended board session, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek reported on the work carried out over the past year and shared the plans to be implemented in 2026. The agenda of the meeting, which specified the priority areas for the upcoming stage of qualitative modernization of the higher education and science system, covered a wide range of issues. These included the outcomes of education policy, the scientific potential of universities, international partnerships, new models of engineering education, the introduction of digital solutions, and mechanisms of interaction with business structures.

Aida Balayeva gave specific instructions on clarifying the legal status of foreign branches, ensuring the transparency and accessibility of the results of grant and program-targeted projects, accelerating the digitalization of the science and higher education system, introducing artificial intelligence technologies, and aligning educational programs with labor market requirements.

“The Head of State sets high requirements for the ministry. These include the quality of higher education, international partnership, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and the development of links between science and industry. These issues are extremely important and relevant values for our state,” said Aida Galymkyzy.

Foreign and domestic experts who spoke afterward, comparing global practices, proposed concrete measures aimed at strengthening the international competitiveness of higher education. New models of engineering education, the integration of digital technologies into the educational process, and ways to enhance effective cooperation between universities and business structures were examined.

Furthermore, the algorithm for introducing scientific research into production and developing innovative projects will be considered a key component of the state strategy. The higher education system must now become not only a platform for training personnel, but also a strategic center for innovation and technological development.

In this regard, following the extended board meeting, step-by-step tasks for the qualitative modernization of higher education and science were defined.

Media Center of Abai University