The reduction of non-governmental universities in Kazakhstan

With the independence of Kazakhstan there was a big push for development of non-governmental universities throughout the country. The increase in the number of universities from 1991 to 2001 in the state is striking. Growing from 55 to 182, the government faced a new issue of quantity instead of quality. The reduction of low-service non-governmental universities seemed to be clear and proper solution to the problem. However, the government still struggles with the problem of big numbers of private universities which provide low-quality service.

In order to tackle with this problem the government of Kazakhstan made the decision to conduct a program to optimize of 143 non-governmental universities and 66 branches in 2007. The process of optimization can be described in three stages: association of private universities, lowering the status of university to academy or even worse and closing by license revocation. It gives opportunity for leaders of universities to improve the situation in universities. The outcome of that action was shocking. Half of the instructors with scholastic degrees and titles from 78universities did not respond the request to supply and 58 universities did notprovide proper resources for teaching students. Moreover, 60 universitiestaught legal studies whereas 100 of them offered students economical studies. 11 of them were closed while other universities united into associations. It is a great example of corruption when a university works without appropriate staff and teaching materials

The Republican Commission on the modernization of higher education institutions was created on June in 2014. The main aim of the organization was to examine Kazakhstani private universities. So, the license was terminated in 5 universities. Recently, in Uralsk 5 privateuniversities had their license terminated by the decision of public prosecutionoffice, because they found that 130 out of 229 instructors did not work whereas48 doctors out of 52. Most staff were from Russia, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. It was found that their documents and signatures were fake, even photos were taken from Internet.  This fact shows that some of private universities are interested primarily in making money rather than teaching and preparing future qualified employees.

Obviously, there are some people who have their own interests and get the benefits from the private universities set up. They do not welcome the idea of reduction of private universities. It's no secret that every institution of higher education makes a profit by publishing and giving students diplomas. These people have great connections and support. Therefore, the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science and members of Republican commission are under pressure.

The decision to decrease the number of non-governmental universities rose great opposition by leaders of universities and Kazakhstani society. Non-governmental universities are in great demand among local population because of the low tuitions, thus making higher education accessible for all. The tuitions for public universities are higher than in non-governmental universities. The price makes non-governmental universities very attractive for local population. Consequently, non-governmental universities have the place to get diplomas with questionable knowledge being received. As consequence, low qualified professionals impede the development of the country. Hence, it impacts on the quality of education that is given.

The government has set the goal to decrease the number of universities and improve quality of education. People should understand that qualitative education is the main aim of the reduction of universities.