Emma Harden-Wolfson

Higher Education in Central Asia Blog (est. 2011)

  • New Education Minister for Kazakhstan

    Following Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s recent firing of his entire cabinet (well, they resigned en masse, but under considerable pressure from the top to do so), a new Minister of Education and Science has been appointed. Replacing Yerlan Sagadiyev at the helm of Kazakhstan’s constantly reforming education system is Kulyash Nogataevna Shamshidinova [ru]. An educator… Read more

  • Universities for sale in Kazakhstan

    The latest wave of privatization in higher education in Kazakhstan is well underway, with news this week that four higher education institutions (HEIs) are up for sale[ru]. The range of offerings is quite diverse – as are the starting prices – so there’s sure to be something to suit all tastes. Take your pick from:… Read more

  • “We have kept our traditions” – Why not everything has changed in higher education – Seminar, Feb 22, online access

    After an event as momentous as the fall of the Soviet Union, it would be natural to expect significant changes as a result, whether that be at the macro-level of new states being created to the micro-level of people being forced to change profession in order to earn enough money to keep their families going… Read more

  • The end of science in Turkmenistan?

    The Academy of Sciences in Turkmenistan is facing major budget cuts that will see a third of its personnel lose their jobs and structural changes that may see the Academy disappear from the science scene in the country. As an institution, the Academy of Sciences brings together researchers from across disciplines, historically separating them from… Read more

  • Politics is back (on the curriculum) in Uzbekistan

    Uzbekistan watchers must be exhausted with the near-constant flow of news about reforms in the country, but as the reforms appear to be supporting people in the country to live better and happier lives, this is a fatigue worth accepting. I’ve written a summary of the reforms that are affecting higher education and about a wave… Read more

  • Of bars and brothels: Turkmenistani parents warned of dangers of allowing children to study abroad

    The opportunity to study abroad is usually positioned as a life (and CV) enhancing experience. Among other benefits, studying abroad enables you to learn about different ways of teaching and learning, find out about new cultures, make new friends, and brush up on your language skills. Little wonder that the number of internationally mobile students… Read more