Outcomes of the Roundtable: “Development of Entrepreneurship and Business Education in Kazakhstan”

Today, August 28, 2024, a roundtable on the topic of “Development of Entrepreneurship and Business Education in Kazakhstan” was held in Astana, organized by the Talimger project of the Halyk Charitable Fund. The moderator of the event was Olzhas Temirbekovich Ordabayev.

The event was attended by representatives of authorized government agencies, political and public associations, the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, higher education institutions, private and public schools, colleges, preschool organizations, corporate universities of large businesses, experts in the field of business education, and public opinion leaders.

Objectives and tasks of the event:

The main goal of the roundtable was to discuss pressing issues and challenges related to entrepreneurship and business education in Kazakhstan, as well as to establish an expert platform for developing a strategic document for the advancement of this field. Among the objectives was also the update of the “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and Business” curriculum for 10th–11th grade students in schools and colleges.

Key findings and recommendations:

During the discussions, participants agreed on the need to systematize and coordinate the efforts of all stakeholders to develop entrepreneurship education at all levels. The following key recommendations were developed:

1. Development of a strategic document on the advancement of entrepreneurship and business education in the Republic of Kazakhstan, which will elevate this area to the state level and cover all levels of education. The Talimger project has been appointed to coordinate this process.
2. Updating the content of the school subject “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and Business” to include social, creative, and technological entrepreneurship. A working group will be created to implement this initiative.
3. Recommendations to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan to introduce the course “Technology and Entrepreneurship” in basic school (grades 5–9) and make the “Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship and Business” course mandatory in grades 10–11 and at the levels of technical and vocational education.
4. Creation of a partnership for entrepreneurship education and training between the business sector and the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Ministry of Education, and the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken.”
5. Stimulating the development of private schools with an entrepreneurial focus and providing methodological support to such educational institutions.
6. Training of new-format engineers—research engineers, entrepreneurial engineers, and production engineers—in cooperation with large manufacturing companies.
7. Implementation of entrepreneurship education at all levels of the education system, which will serve as the foundation for developing human capital with entrepreneurial skills to support production and the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
8. Introduction of career guidance activities starting in 7th grade and the creation of conditions for specialized training, including artificial intelligence and technological entrepreneurship.

Conclusion:

The roundtable participants expressed confidence that the proposed measures and recommendations will contribute to the formation of an entrepreneurial nation in Kazakhstan, capable of rapid economic growth and innovation. These initiatives are aimed at creating favorable conditions for the development of entrepreneurial skills and the preparation of future leaders of the country’s economy.