GENDER ENROLLMENT PATTERNS IN A UNIVERSITY IN KAZAKHSTAN: A 2020-2024 ANALYSIS OF STEM AND NON-STEM DISCIPLINES

This study explores gender enrollment patterns in STEM and non-STEM disciplines at a university in Kazakhstan from 2020 to 2024, examining evolving gender dynamics in higher education. Using longitudinal data on enrollment, gender ratios, and Unified National Test (UNT) scores, the analysis reveals persistent gender disparities. Female enrollment in STEM fields remained stable at approximately 34% throughout the study period, contrasting with higher but gradually declining female participation in non-STEM fields, which decreased from 74.8% in 2020 to 68.9% in 2024. Despite statistical significance in changes across both STEM and non-STEM fields, the practical significance of these shifts is minimal, highlighting the challenges of addressing gender imbalances in STEM. Factors such as cultural norms, limited female role models, and curriculum biases are discussed as contributors to the disparity. This research emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and inclusive policies to foster greater female participation and retention in STEM disciplines. The findings also underscore the economic and societal relevance of equitable education, offering actionable insights for policymakers and educators to promote gender equity in Kazakhstan's higher education system. Ultimately, this study contributes to the broader discourse on gender dynamics in education, particularly in the context of Central Asia.