Grants for High School Students: How ‘Miras’ Schools Support Talented Youth in Kazakhstan

students who successfully passed the competitive selection and became the recipients of grants for education from the Halyk and NNEF funds. In the new academic year, the recipients of grants include students from different cities of Kazakhstan, including Semey, Karaganda, Astana and Almaty, Ulysmedia.kz reports.

The grant system at Miras School was introduced four years ago on the initiative of the NNEF Public Foundation and the Halyk Charity Foundation. Managing Director of the Halyk Foundation Nariman Abilshaikov emphasized that during this time the foundation has invested more than 300 million tenge in the grant program.

“Supporting talented youth in Kazakhstan is one of the main priority areas of the Halyk Charitable Foundation. In this regard, starting in 2021, for the fourth consecutive year, our foundation has been awarding gifted children full scholarships to study at the best secondary schools in Kazakhstan, ‘Miras.’ This year, more than 500 students from grades 9–11 took part in the competition, and seventeen of them received educational grants to attend international ‘Miras’ schools. Graduates of the Diploma Programme consistently demonstrate high results in their final exams and have received scholarships to top foreign universities,” noted Nariman Abilshaikov.

Thus, out of six graduates – holders of 100% grant from the Halyk Foundation, three guys scored 41, and one 40 out of the maximum possible 45 points. Only 8% of graduates of the Diploma Program worldwide achieve such high results. All graduates – holders of grants from the Halyk and NNEF funds received grants for studying at the universities of their choice.

Activists, volunteers and leaders

As Elena Vladimirova, Deputy Director of the International School “Miras” in Almaty, notes, grants are provided not only to Olympiad winners, but also to active and motivated students who demonstrate high results in entrance exams and participate in public initiatives.

“When people ask us if only Olympiad winners can earn a scholarship at the ‘Miras’ school, our answer is no. The key factor is performance on the entrance exams. What really matters is that a student demonstrates initiative and an active approach to life. Many of our scholarship recipients — including those we’re celebrating today — are dedicated volunteers. They launch projects that benefit their communities and the country as a whole, organize math competitions, support elderly people through charitable work, and even take time to mentor younger students,” said Elena Vladimirova.

Unique educational environment

Miras schools attract students and their parents not only with grant opportunities, but also with a high level of education that meets international standards. Here, education is offered in Kazakh, Russian and English. The IB Diploma Program is especially popular, being one of the best programs for preparing for university entrance.

“The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is especially popular. It’s a rigorous academic program and one of the best ways to prepare students for admission to top universities. In addition, Miras School offers a well-rounded, in-depth education, which is crucial in today’s world. We know that modern trends in education go beyond globalization and digitalization to include a strong academic foundation — and that’s exactly what we strive to achieve at our school,” noted Elena Vladimirova.

One of the 100% grant winners is school student Tamerlan Klychev. The young man has been studying at Miras since kindergarten. Tamerlan plans to continue his education at an international university and is already working on new projects.

“I have huge plans for the school. This year I will run for office and start new projects. I am finishing 10th grade now and will soon enter the Diploma Program, from there I will start my career. I chose Miras because it is one of the oldest IB schools in Kazakhstan. It gives more chances to enter a prestigious university,” shared Tamerlan Klychev.

The second winner of a 100% grant, a student of Gymnasium No. 56, Ayanat Bokhan, also noted that the Miras school provides unique opportunities for preparing for admission to leading universities in Kazakhstan and the world.

“Since I want to enter the best universities in our country, I need the appropriate preparation. It is the Miras school that provides such preparation. The IB diploma program allows you to achieve high goals,” shared Ayanat Bokhan.

Almansur Alibek entered the 11th grade of the Miras International School in Astana from the RFMS. Almansur won a 100% grant and is now studying under the International Baccalaureate program.

“I’ll be honest, winning a grant is, firstly, a great success, and secondly, it’s the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my life. Mathematics has always been easy for me, but I still studied it and always tried to take more than I can. Therefore, my main advice is to always take more than you can, that’s when you’ll get results,” he shared.

In the 2024–2025 school year, 33 students will study under the grant program at the two Miras schools. Of these, 16 students are continuing their grant-supported studies for a second or third year. This year, 14 high school students will receive full 100% grants from the Halyk Charitable Foundation. Grants are provided only for grades 10–11 at Miras International Schools, including the Diploma Programme.

Grants as an investment in the future of Kazakhstan

Over four years, more than 1,000 students in grades 9–11 from Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Aktau, Aktobe, Karaganda, Semey, Pavlodar, and the West Kazakhstan and Almaty regions have participated in the competition. Between 2021 and 2025, the Halyk Charitable Foundation and the NNEF Public Foundation awarded 70 grants for study at Miras International Schools in Almaty and Astana, 20 of which are full 100% grants from the Halyk Foundation.

It is worth noting that the grant program at the Miras school is not only a support for talented youth, but also a contribution to the development of future leaders of Kazakhstan. In the context of globalization and fundamentalization of education, such initiatives are becoming an important tool for supporting gifted children who are ready to contribute to the development of the country and society.

Source: UlysMedia.kz