The meeting discussed approaches for further betterment of Bolashak international scholarship in accordance with the tasks outlined in "Third Modernization of Kazakhstan: Global Competitiveness" Address. The Secretary emphasized that the achievement of the goals largely depends on the quality of education. Therefore, improving the program will help increase the competitiveness of the country's human capital.
G.Abdykalikova noted that just for that purpose the Working Group had been created, and it included representatives of interested state bodies, experts in the sphere of modern international education and "Bolashak" program graduates. It developed proposals taking into account the priorities defined in the Kazakhstan-2050 Strategy and “100 Specific Steps” Nation's Plan.
In the course of the meeting the Working Group’s proposals were given consideration. Further improvement of Bolashak scholarship is seen in three directions: 1) defining and consolidating the role of the scholarship according to the strategic tasks towards the global competitiveness of human capital; 2) forming new approaches for selection of grant-holders; 3) strengthening the realization of the graduates’ potential.
It is necessary to invest in high-quality education of young people with a view of ensuring the country’s sustainable development and increasing its global competitiveness in the long term. Perfection of approaches to the program’s actualization consists in improving the criteria and selection system for applicants aimed at identifying the current and prospective potential of candidates, identifying priority areas for training and reviewing the criteria for foreign universities.
The Working Group’s proposals have been submitted for further elaboration in the Cabinet of Kazakhstan.