Abstract
Internationalization of higher education is a strategic asset of public policy, as it focuses on training the necessary workforce for the country. At the same time, academic mobility enhances public diplomacy. In terms of academic mobility, students choose foreign countries and higher educational institutions not only based on the range of educational services they provide, but also based on opportunities to improve their level of foreign language proficiency and to familiarize oneself with the culture of a new country. By creating the most attractive educational climate, higher educational institutions increase their competitiveness in global research rankings.
The present article analyzes the impact of both internal and external socio-political and demographic processes on the effectiveness of internationalization and quality of academic mobility in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of current geopolitical landscape. We conducted an analysis of qualitative and quantitative academic mobility transformations among foreign and local students in Kazakhstan. We also assessed Kazakhstan’s prospects of becoming a leading scientific and educational hub in Central Asia and identified some practical recommendations for its implementation. It should be noted as well that there are some risks, such as an increase in the number of those leaving the country to get higher education (short-term studies, student exchanges, professional internships, etc.). A significant portion among those who leave is comprised of young people, as they are the most mobile part of the student community.
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