Starting from 2020 requirements of the English language proficiency will be increased for Bolashak scholarship holders

The Center for International Programs (CIP) reported the implementation of the development plan for the international scholarship "Bolashak" for 2018-2025.

The CIP identified the five most significant changes to improve the Bolashak scholarship, conducted during 2018 in accordance with the International Scholarship Development Plan. Comprehensive work has been carried out. 

Firstly, the requirement for the average diploma score is reduced from GPA 3.3 to GPA 3.0 points for the category of "self-admitted". 

Secondly, a mechanism to control language acquisition at the stage of passing language courses has been introduced. For this purpose, it is planned to conduct intermediate control testing to determine the level of foreign language proficiency after completing the first stage of language training in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This mechanism encourages scholars to study foreign language more, and also contributes to an increase in the effectiveness of language courses, the Center for International Programs reported.

The third change was introduced in order to reduce the regional imbalance in staffing. A differentiated approach to job placement has been introduced, in accordance with which the period of complulsory employment in the regions is three years, and in cities of republican significance (Astana, Almaty, Shymkent) - five years. In addition, for graduates who work in educational institutions in the cities of regional, district significance and other districts of the region, the period of compalsory labor is reduced to two years, informed the center.

In addition, in order to create favorable conditions for young talented Kazakhstanis who do not have collateralized property, the possibility of providing guarantors instead of real estate, depending on the amount of expenses for training, has been introduced. This is the fourth change.

The fifth change is to form the List of leading foreign HEIs recommended for study by Bolashak scholars. New criteria for the formation of the list of leading foreign higher educational institutions was developed. The list is formed from the top 70 positions of the global university rankings, the top 20 positions of subject ratings of the Times Higher Education, Academic Ranking of World Universities and QS World Universities Rankings, as well as the top 10 positions of national ratings of the USA, Germany, Great Britain, and France - clarified the CIP.

Read more on Higher education institutions in Kazakhstan: quality assurance and internationalization.