QS PRE-SUMMIT WAS HELD IN KAZNU
The QS Higher Education: Asia Pacific 2024 pre-summit dedicated to higher education issues was held at al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The international event was organized in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Asia-Pacific Summit of QS.
The meeting was attended by: Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Chief Commercial Director of the analytical agency QS Quacquarelli Symonds Jason Newman, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Malik Otarbayev, Chairman of the Board-Rector of KazNU Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Akim of Almaty Yerbolat Dosayev, Regional Director for partnerships with clients in the EAEU countries and the global government of QS Sergey Khristolyubov. Rectors of 350 universities from 150 countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, international experts and heads of Kazakh higher education also gathered.
During the event, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, made a report on the ongoing work of domestic universities on the development of higher education and science. The Minister noted that 21 Kazakhstani universities participate in the QS world ranking and achieve good results.
"Today, universities in Kazakhstan are systematically working to increase partnership with world universities. We must be open to change. This provides ample opportunities to enhance the prestige of universities. About 30 thousand foreign students have arrived in Kazakhstan this academic year. This is 10 thousand more than in the last two years. There are three prestigious rankings in the world. The most important of them is the international QS rating. 21 universities of Kazakhstan participate in the ranking. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is the leader among domestic universities and ranks 163rd. This year, for the first time, the Ministry has prepared a rating of domestic national universities. It was compiled jointly with experts from the world rankings. Higher education institutions that have shown good results in the national ranking will rise in the global QS ranking. This rating is being implemented in the country for the first time," said Sayasat Nurbek.
Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Zhanseit Tuimebayev addressed the participants.
"Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said: "Education and science need advanced international experience. Universities and scientific organizations should become a strategic center that makes a significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the country." Today, university science plays an important role in the development of the economy. Now global trends and modern challenges determine the development of higher education. QS is one of the most prestigious international rankings reflecting the performance and results of the world's universities. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the best practices of training qualified specialists, introducing the results of scientific research into production," the rector said.
In turn, Jason Newman, Chief Commercial Director of the analytical agency QS Quacquarelli Symonds, noted the importance of holding the event at a leading university in Kazakhstan. In his speech, he also stressed that the pre-summit will become a platform for sharing best practices and ideas, identifying key trends and strategies aimed at improving the quality of education and mobilizing resources.
"I am very glad that the QS pre-summit is taking place in Kazakhstan, at one of the country's leading universities, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. We cannot solve global problems alone, so it is important for us to work together. Today's event brought together the rectors of the world's universities and allowed to establish a dialogue between the parties in solving international issues in the field of higher education and science. The QS rating gave an impetus to the activation of the work of all universities. In particular, it allowed universities to work closely with each other, develop academic mobility programs, share experiences, and increase the motivation of scientists," said Jason Newman.
At the plenary session, Malik Otarbayev conveyed the sincere words of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In his speech, the Presidential Adviser stressed that the issue of the development of national science and education is under the direct control of the Head of State.
"The President of the country outlined our main goal at the National Kurultai. It is to become a progressive nation. The development of science and higher education is a strategically important priority for our country. Higher education contributes to the creation of an innovative and sustainable economy, increasing the competitiveness of the state. Issues related to knowledge and training of qualified specialists require international cooperation, active dialogue and exchange of experience. The pre-summit is aimed at improving the education system in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, increasing the competitiveness of universities," Malik Otarbayev said.
The plenary session continued in sections devoted to the following topics: "Integration of global goals in the field of education", "Global communications", "Navigation technologies: best practices in the field of artificial intelligence and new technologies".
At the end of the event, Sergey Khristolyubov spoke, who awarded a number of Kazakhstani universities that took high places in the QS World University Rankings 2025, and presented special certificates.
It should be noted that the QS summit on higher education in the Asia-Pacific region will continue on November 5-7 in Macau. The final meeting of the QS pre-summit is scheduled for November 8 in Hong Kong.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/sci/press/news/details/875665