Aligning Higher Education Toward the Development of an Educational Hub: The Case of Kazakhstan

This paper examines the transformation of higher education and science (HES) in Kazakhstan based on a systematic review of the literature. Drawing on an analysis of 62 peer-reviewed articles, it explores how initiatives such as Digital Kazakhstan, the Bolashak scholarship, and higher-education reforms have influenced the effectiveness of institutions and scientific developments. Government efforts have been made toward achieving a major transformation in HES to create a different environment and system. Our analysis identifies key trends, structural barriers and drivers, and incentive factors in the development of the sector, including problems related to financing, bureaucratic fragmentation, and international cooperation. The results reveal that reforms have been focused on the modernization of pedagogy, trilingual policies, the integration of digital technologies, and internationalization. This paper highlights the key role of government initiatives targeted toward policy changes to ensure transparency, innovativeness, and inclusivity in HES. This work will provide a valuable resource for policy makers, academic leaders, and international stakeholders interested in emerging economies.