Overview: The system of science in Kazakhstan

In the Presidential Address of September 8, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev set a key national priority: to transform science, education, and innovation into the main driver of Kazakhstan’s knowledge-based economy. The National Academy of Sciences fully supports this strategic vision and is already implementing practical steps toward achieving it.

To ensure that scientific research addresses real national needs, the Academy conducted Kazakhstan’s first large-scale foresight study together with scientists, industry, and government stakeholders. As a result, 210 priority scientific and technological tasks were identified in fields such as AI, biomedicine, green technologies, and water security. These priorities must be regularly updated to guide long-term funding and policy decisions.

A crucial requirement for successful implementation is integration between science, education, and industry. We support the President’s proposal to unite innovation policy under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, enabling a continuous chain from fundamental research to applied solutions and commercialization. The Academy has already designed pilot interdisciplinary programs with clear timelines, indicators, industrial partners, and commercialization pathways.

Research universities will play a central role, especially those with strong AI and engineering schools, modern laboratories, and active technology-transfer ecosystems. Universities focused on AI should receive greater autonomy, targeted grants, access to data, computing resources, and joint labs with industry.

Human capital remains the foundation. Kazakhstan must create attractive conditions for young scientists, expand grant and housing programs, and launch initiatives to bring back Kazakh researchers working abroad while attracting leading international experts.

Effective implementation requires competent leadership. The Academy proposes expert review of candidates for rector and director positions to ensure scientific credibility and managerial capability.

The President has provided clear strategic direction. Our shared task is to turn this vision into action. Through systematic work, strong partnerships, and investment in people, Kazakhstan can build a competitive scientific ecosystem and strengthen its position as a regional leader in knowledge and innovation. source https://qazscience.gov.kz/ru/news/77

According to the Bureau of National Statistics, more than 25,000 scientists were working in Kazakhstan in 2024–2025. Of these, 48.6% held advanced academic degrees, including over 2,000 doctors of science, 4,700 candidates of science, 4,100 doctors of philosophy, and 318 professionals with field-specific doctorates. Roughly a third of all researchers (32.7%) held master’s degrees, and 28.3% were under the age of 35(figure 1).