Browsing by Author "Bayetova N."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    POST-SOVIET ERA NEOLIBERALISM AND PRIVATIZATION IN KAZAKHSTAN’S HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM
    (2021 International Young Scholars' Conference, 2021) Bayetova N.
    Abstract. By applying grounded theory as a methodological tool and using higher education policy documents and the speeches of the former president of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev (1991-2019), I examined the changes that occurred in higher education system in Kazakhstan based on neoliberalism. Kazakhstan has transition to higher education policies based upon core neoliberal ideas, such as privatization, meritocracy, individualism, self-reliance, and competition. However, neoliberal policies in Kazakhstan has been influenced by the local political and governance system. Specifically, as it was found, the first president of the Republic of Kazakhstan has maintained a crucial position in shaping the contemporary higher education policies. With Nazarbayev’s initiative, significant educational projects that meet core neoliberal ideas have been introduced and financially and politically prioritized despite the lack of evidence of their effectiveness. The analysis of the policy documents has revealed that higher education policy changes were informed by autocratic and leader-centric neoliberal system.