On May 6, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law introducing amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of Kazakhstan related to science and education. The first set of amendments aims to enhance the financial status of educators and researchers in the country.
Under this new legislation, individuals with specific academic degrees and titles will receive additional payments ranging from 92,300 tenge (US$210) to 184,600 tenge ($419) per month. Those with degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Science, Candidate of Sciences, and the academic title of Associate Professor will be eligible for these payments. In addition, monthly stipends will also be available for scientists conducting research at their primary workplaces, with scholarships funded by the investment income of higher and postgraduate education institutions’ endowment fund for promising young scientists under the age of 40.
The second aspect of the amendments focuses on educational benefits for military personnel. Under this new legislation, quotas will be established for educational grants to support their training at higher education and postgraduate institutions after completing their mandatory military service. This aim is to ensure that military personnel have access to quality education and are able to contribute more effectively to national security efforts.
The third part of the legislative changes addresses projects aimed at commercializing scientific and technical outcomes funded by business entities. This includes providing incentives for businesses to invest in research and development activities that have commercial potential. The goal is to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan while also generating revenue for the country’s economy.
In the fourth segment, local executive bodies are given responsibilities to implement state policies concerning science and scientific activities in their regions. This includes creating favorable environments to support advancements in these fields by providing resources and support for research projects, as well as promoting collaboration between academia and industry. By empowering local communities to drive innovation, Kazakhstan can continue to position itself as a leader in scientific and technological development in Central Asia.
