INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPMENTYOUR COUNTRY: THE EXPERIENCE OF STATE GRADUATESSCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS IN KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

This study analyzes Kazakhstan’s two educational scholarship
programs designed for pursuing international education and graduates’
contribution to national development. Our data suggests that Bolashak and
Nazarbayev University scholarship programs play an important role in
developing local talent. Graduates of these scholarship programs are involved in
improving systems and practices in their workplaces, thereby contributing to
wider positive social and economic changes in the country. On the other hand,
limited employment opportunities in some sectors of economy, low salaries and
negative bureaucratic culture limit graduates’ contribution to the common good.
We believe that graduates’ inability to use the acquired knowledge and skills is
associated with low rates of economic development and its failure to keep up
with the development of human capital. Our findings highlight the critical
importance of developing the economy in tandem with human capital
development to maximize the benefits of scholarship programs