Science and Technology in Kazakhstan Current Status and Future Prospects (2007) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
3 The Human Resource Base
3 The Human Resource Base
Pages 56-72
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From page 56... ...
It only briefly mentions the importance of adequate secondary school preparation, although a strong primary and secondary school system is essential for providing well-qualified applicants to higher education institutions and for promoting general scientific literacy of the general population. These important aspects were beyond the scope of the study.
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From page 57... ...
At the outset, this chapter presents relevant data and general observations prepared largely by NCSTI about the education system in order to provide a context for discussions that follow in this chapter and in later chapters.2 The on-site observations of committee members and comments to them by a number of Kazakhstani specialists were consistent with the information presented in NCSTI reports and set forth in this chapter. The chapter then raises a few issues concerning the evolution of higher education institutions, the integration of education and research, the special challenges of engineering and medical education, and the importance of international educational opportunities.
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From page 58... ...
As to students studying for advanced degrees during this period, 48 governmental higher education institutions, five nongovernmental institutions, and 66 scientific research institutions, not affiliated with higher education institutions, accepted graduate students who were working toward the kandidat degree. For the doctor of science degree, 15 government universities and 23 scientific research organizations accepted scientists who were seeking to expand their education credentials.
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From page 59... ...
• Too great a dependence on correspondence students. Many recommendations have been set forth by national and international experts for raising higher education to an international level and for integrating the system with international approaches.
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From page 60... ...
While the policy of encouraging self-financing holds promise, adequate attention should be given by the government to the implementation of such a policy to help ensure that legitimate financing schemes are developed and carried out while government financing continues to provide for core requirements. Finally, as noted in Chapter 1, government-industry matching grants, perhaps encouraged by tax incentives, also should be considered in strengthening university research capabilities.
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From page 61... ...
Committee members visited several research centers of Al Faraby Kazakh National University and K.I. Satpaev Kazakh National Technical University that are reportedly among the most extensive research facilities in the country's higher education community.
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From page 62... ...
Clearly, strengthening the research capabilities of universities throughout Kazakhstan is an essential component of improving higher education in science, 4Kazakh National Technical University named after K.I. Satpaev, TOO Yevero, Almaty, obtained July 2006; Biology Faculty, Kazakh National University named after Al Farabi, Almaty, 2004.
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From page 63... ...
As discussed below, the government plans to follow several directions to deploy scientific talent and financial resources that can build on the current array of university research capabilities while also establishing new facilities that attract highly talented Kazakhstani scientists, engineers, and medical professionals. The dual effort of modernizing existing universities and establishing new education-research complexes will be expensive and will take many years to accomplish in a manner that significantly strengthens the nation's international competitiveness.
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From page 64... ...
At the same time, the government should continue its efforts to encourage through financial incentives the establishment of joint teams involving scientists from the universities and the independent scientific institutes to undertake important research problems, as has already become a tradition for a number of groups. Also, additional teaching opportunities with appropriate financial rewards should be afforded to specialists from the independent institutes.
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From page 65... ...
the government's plan to establish 15 technology-specific applied research centers at 15 universities throughout the country, and (3) a committee recommendation to establish a university hospital adjacent to one of the medical universities that will help demonstrate the importance of integrated and improved education, research, and clinical services.
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From page 66... ...
the opportunity for faculty members to design new programs that reflect modern approaches to education and research; and (3) the excitement of students who are participants in frontier research involving respected scientists from abroad working in modern facilities.
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From page 67... ...
There are too many administrative, financial, personnel, and technical issues that must be addressed -- all subject to questioning by the universities that were not selected. Illustrating the problem of selecting an appropriate university, Kazakhstan National Technical University was part of the Soviet system of polytechnical universities that were important in developing the technological strength of the USSR.
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From page 68... ...
Even assuming that the concept of engineering centers is broadened to technology centers, the committee is not able to endorse the concept of establishing in the near term 15 new centers at 15 universities to develop advanced technologies. Alternatively, it recommends that the Kazakhstani government focus its major resources on establishing or strengthening three or four centers at particularly strong universities.
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From page 69... ...
is responsible for medical education, medical research, and health care services.5 Six medical universities and 20 medical scientific centers are key components of the infrastructure of the public health sector. In the aggregate these institutions cover almost all medical and public health disciplines.
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From page 70... ...
In time the science-oriented nonmedical universities should also become important components of medical complexes. An important model for such a complex is the recently established King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid, Jordan, which is on the same campus as a medical school and other departments of the Jordan University of Technology and Science.
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From page 71... ...
One of the major attractions of the advanced technology university to be established in Astana is the opportunity for rapid professional advancement, and government authorities are considering whether housing incentives can be offered. While success of this university is important, the problem of placement of talented young scientists extends across the country.
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From page 72... ...
. But these mechanisms, however well designed, will be useful only if significant research activities are integrated into the education system and if competitive technologies are developed that are of interest to the commercial sector.
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