TAM Seminar “Mission and Values of Higher Education”

The National Erasmus+ Office in Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) team and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, successfully organized the Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) Seminar on “Mission and Values of Higher Education” on 15–16 October 2025 in Astana, hosted by the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports. This two-day event convened rectors, vice-rectors, deans, policymakers, and higher education specialists to reflect on the evolving mission and values of higher education and their role in addressing modern societal and institutional challenges. The seminar was attended by 52 representatives of 29 higher education institutions and organisations from 11 cities of Kazakhstan.

The seminar started with welcoming addresses from Ms Tursynzada Kuangaliyeva, Rector of the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports; Ms Juana Mera Cabello, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan; and Ms Gulzhan Jarassova, Acting Chair of the Committee of Higher and Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. She also delivered a letter from Mr Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, extending warm greetings and emphasizing his commitment to supporting the development of higher education values and institutional integrity in Kazakhstan.

The keynote presentations were delivered by Dr. Sjur Bergan, Independent Higher Education Expert and former Head of the Education Department at the Council of Europe. Dr. Bergan offered comprehensive insights into the historical evolution of higher education, the four fundamental purposes of universities, and the significance of fostering a strong culture of values across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

National experts enriched the discussions with their perspectives on policy development and institutional transformation in Kazakhstan’s higher education sector. Dr. Serik Omirbayev, Chair of the HERE team and First Vice-Rector of Astana IT University, traced the historical trajectory and reform milestones of Kazakhstan’s higher education system and skillfully moderated the seminar sessions.Dr. Gulzhan Jarassova, HERE member and Acting Chair of the Committee of Higher and Postgraduate Education of the MSHE RK, highlighted the enduring value of higher education in fostering national progress and social development. Dr. Banu Narbekova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and HERE member, examined the renewal of National Qualifications Framework and its contribution to maintaining educational relevance and quality. Ms. Nurgul Nurgaliyeva, Human Resources Director at Kazakhmys Smelting LLP, addressed the role of employers in recognizing professional qualifications and strengthening cooperation between education and the labor market. Assel Aryn, Vice-Rector for Academic Development at Almaty Management University (AlmaU), discussed human resource strategies that enable universities to achieve their strategic goals.

Over the course of the seminar, participants actively exchanged experiences and engaged in group works. The recommendations from the seminar emphasized that higher education institutions must align their activities with the evolving mission of higher education - developing critical thinking, independence, and fostering cultural and intellectual growth - by desgining programmes that support professional development, research capacity and personal growth. Higher education institutions are also encouraged to embed 6 fundamental values of higher education into their governance structures, staff development and teaching practices, and effectively apply the National Qualifications Framework to enhance quality and relevance of education.

All presentations of the seminar are available here.