Emma Harden-Wolfson

Higher Education in Central Asia Blog (est. 2011)

  • High heels for higher learning?

    A scandal is bubbling between the Rector of the Tajik State Pedagogical University, Abdujabbor Rahmonov, and the only vocal national newspaper (inasmuch as it can be vocal in Tajikistan), Asia-Plus. The reason? The rector’s decision to impose a supplementary dress code on female students requiring them to wear high heeled shoes (though only up to… Read more

  • Study abroad – stay abroad?

    A recent post from Kyrgyz blogger Begimai Sataeva, Kyrgyzstan’s Migration Tragedy [en] on New Eurasia, points to the loss of highly trained and skilled workers as a ‘real tragedy’ for the country. It is certainly the case that many people who migrate for educational purposes do not return to their home country, although my 2011 study… Read more

  • Test time for Kyrgyz secondary school students

    Like a growing number of countries worldwide, Kyrgyzstan offers standardised testing to determine entry into higher education. The tests, commonly called by their abbreviation ОРТ (Общереспубликанское тестирование or ORT, Republic-wide Testing) were introduced in in 2002, a first for Central Asian countries. Another stand-out fact is that the ORT is run by a non-governmental organisation, the Centre… Read more

  • Planning ahead in Kazakhstan

    The Ministry of Education in Kazakhstan is about to launch a new savings plan to help parents save towards the cost of their children’s higher education. After an initial deposit, subsequent instalments can be variable both in amount and frequency. On top of the bank’s interest rate, the government has committed to add in 5-7%… Read more

  • Kazakh graduates reluctant to repay their student loans

    Having just paid off my own student loan after a mere 11 years (thanks very much UK government for introducing fees the year I enrolled…), I read with interest a report from Kazakhstan’s Tengri News agency on the situation in Kazakhstan. The story by Alisher Akhmetov is reproduced from http://en.tengrinews.kz/finance/Kazakhstan-students-owe-billions-to-the-state-17129/ below. NB – don’t forget that… Read more

  • Uzbekistan to introduce university rating system

    Reposted from http://en.trend.az/news/society/2106020.html, (c) trend.az Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Jan. 8 / Trend D.Azizov / The Uzbek Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a decree ‘On the introduction of a rating system of the republic’s higher education institutions’. According to the decree, the university rating system will be introduced starting this year. The ranking of universities will be based… Read more