Kazakhstan and the European Union will strengthen cooperation in educational technologies

The Forum held in a hybrid format (offline and online), and was supported by the Bureau for Continuing Professional Development (BCPD) and “Bolashaq” Center for International Programs" JSC.The participants widely discussed opportunities and requirements of innovation and digital technologies in education, as well as the impact of the pandemic on new technologies in primary, higher and postgraduate education.

The Forum reviewed the EU's cooperation in digital education in Kazakhstan, discussed issues of future partnership and collaboration, EU experience in the transformation of digital education, opportunities for closer cooperation between the EU and Kazakhstan in innovations and educational technologies. The fact that private schools are more advanced in innovation and modern technologies, while the public schools are less technologically developed was also on the table. The Forum mentioned the experience of European countries, particularly of Finland in educational technology (EdTech). The participants talked about how digitalisation affects the current unemployment in the European Union and Kazakhstan, and challenges for qualified experts posed by innovation. In addition, the opportunities for the EU universities to participate in the internationalisation project, as well as the “Bolashak” program’s educational cooperation experience with the European Union were a part of the discussions.

“I am glad to see the level of interest from the Government of Kazakhstan in investing in human capital and international cooperation. We fully share the understanding that collaboration and dialogue are critical success factors to address current challenges in education. I believe, that today’s Forum is an efficient tool to encourage and facilitate information, best practices and know-hows among participants. The EU stands ready to support and facilitate enhanced partnership and cooperation with Kazakhstan in several sectors, including, digitalisation, education and innovations”- said Kestutis Jankauskas, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan.
Ainur Karbozova, President of the Bolashak Center for International Programs, stated: “The Bolashak International Scholarship is an outstanding example of the internationalisation of higher education. The "Bolashak” graduates; including alumni of the leading European universities are actively involved in the transformation and digitalisation of Kazakhstan's education system".

“The issues of the professions of the future and brain drain should be approached in a complex way and considered not only from the side of innovation and digitalisation, but also from the perspectives of labor migration, competent unemployment, climate change and demographic factors. The formation of human and social capitals is also an important aspect. Although technologies are changing the world, the role of a human and the development of soft skills is a key factor,” said Elmira Obry, CEO BCPD ltd.

For more details, please, contact to:
Ms. Elnura Abakanova, Communications officer, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan: elnura.abakanova@eeas.europa.eu.,
Mr. Nurbek Amisha, Department of Public Servies “Center for International Programs” JSC:press@bolashak.gov.kz, PR Manager of BCPD Ltd. Ms Assem Abdinurova: A.abdinurova@aifc.kz