When science in Kazakhstan is discussed, the focus is often placed on the largest cities and national universities. However, the real resilience of the scientific system is determined by how strong the regions are. It is precisely in the regions that science is closest to the real economy, including industrial enterprises, energy, clinics, the agricultural sector, the oil and gas industry, and applied technological tasks. At the same time, government documents and materials from the National Academy of Sciences directly point to regional-level problems: insufficient infrastructure, weak integration of science with production, low publication and patent activity, as well as limited mechanisms for the development of science at the local level.
Technical sciences, engineering and energy in northern Kazakhstan
The scientific map of Kazakhstan’s regions already shows a fairly clear specialisation. The northern and partly central regions are most strongly oriented towards technical sciences, engineering, energy and industrial development. This can be seen in the activity of the Eurasian National University, where research structures operate in the field of energy saving and energy-efficient technologies, as well as in the engineering and energy profile of Toraighyrov University and the technical higher education institutions of the industrial belt.
Applied research and engineering solutions in southern Kazakhstan
The southern regions are more focused on applied and engineering research. The most visible areas here include systems engineering, automation, chemical technology, IT and production processes, which is reflected in the scientific work of M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University and Dulaty University.
Industry, metallurgy and medicine in eastern Kazakhstan
Eastern Kazakhstan has traditionally been associated with industry, metallurgy, technical development and medicine. This combination is clearly illustrated by D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University and Semey Medical University, where scientific infrastructure is developed and where research divisions, scientific grants and laboratory centres are in operation.
For the eastern regions, the combination of an industrial base and medicine may become one of the most promising formats for growth, because here science can work not only for academic results, but also for solving specific technological and social problems of the region.
The oil and gas sector, pharmaceuticals and the clinical base in western Kazakhstan
Western Kazakhstan, in turn, naturally relies on the oil and gas sector, petrochemicals, clinical medicine and the pharmaceutical field. An important role here is played by S. Utebayev Atyrau Oil and Gas University, programmes in oil and gas engineering and chemical technologies, as well as the medical schools of western Kazakhstan associated with clinical practice and pharmacology. It is no coincidence that the development of regional science in connection with the petrochemical industry is being discussed specifically in Atyrau.
Key problems in the development of science in Kazakhstan
The main problem lies not in the absence of scientific potential, but in its uneven support. Although state funding for science in Kazakhstan has increased in recent years, national documents and studies still record a lack of modern infrastructure, weak commercialisation, low publication activity among some research teams, and insufficient support for young scientists. At the same time, grant funding remains the main source of financing for researchers, while business funding and commercialisation cover a much smaller share of projects. This is particularly sensitive for the regions, where, without targeted support, strong teams often lose out to the capital’s centres in terms of equipment, academic environment and opportunities for international co-operation.
The imbalance in the funding of scientific resources in Kazakhstan
The uneven development of regional science is largely linked to the distribution of funding. The key problem is that the main share of resources is concentrated not in the regions, but in the country’s largest scientific and industrial centres. This is reflected in the following:
- More than 80% of investment in research and development is concentrated in large cities and industrial centres.
- The main share of funding is concentrated in Almaty and Astana.
- Between 2018 and 2023, more than 4,800 scientific projects were funded in Kazakhstan for a total of 463 billion tenge.
- At the same time, in most regions the share of such projects accounted for only 1-2% of the total number.
The problem lies not only in the volume of science funding, but also in its territorial concentration, which leaves many strong regional areas without sufficient support.
What should be done in such a situation?
First, the regions need not just general funding for science, but specific programmes tailored to the economic profile of each territory:
- the west – oil and gas and petrochemicals
- the east – industry and medicine
- the north – energy and technical development
- the south – applied engineering and production technologies
Second, part of the funding should reasonably be distributed through visible results:
- publications in quality journals
- patents
- implementation
- contracts with enterprises and clinical bases
Third, the regions need academic writing centres, project offices and strong application support teams, because without this even good scientists often lose out in competition for grants.
Prospects for the development of science in the regions of Kazakhstan
The prospects for regional science are directly linked to how deeply universities, enterprises, university clinics, production laboratories and customers of applied research are involved in it. When a university does not work in isolation but in connection with industry, publication ceases to be a formality and becomes part of a larger chain: research – testing – implementation – a new funding application.
The main promising areas of support can also be identified for each region:
| Region of Kazakhstan | Key scientific specialisation | Key scientific specialisation | Promising areas of support |
| North | Technical sciences, engineering, energy | Uneven funding, limited infrastructure, weak commercialisation | Support for energy and engineering development, expansion of applied research, co-operation with industrial enterprises |
| South | Applied engineering, IT, automation, chemical technologies | Insufficient publication activity, shortage of research facilities, weak integration between science and industry | Development of engineering centres, support for university research, strengthening links between science and the production sector |
| East | Industry, metallurgy, medicine | Limited mechanisms for implementing research outcomes, lack of sustainable scientific support at the regional level | Support for medical and technological research, strengthening the applied focus of projects |
| East | Oil and gas industry, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, clinical medicine | Weak diversification of scientific fields, dependence on sectoral specialisation, limited number of scientific projects | Development of research in petrochemicals, medicine and pharmaceuticals, strengthening links between science, business and industry |
Science in the regions of Kazakhstan can become the foundation for more sustainable economic and technological growth in the country. Each macro-region already has its own profile, its own areas of competence and its own basic development institutions.
The key task now is to turn this unstructured specialisation into a systematic scientific policy. In such a policy, priorities must be clear, funding must be fair, research teams must be supported, and there must be a focus on real results.
Are you planning to prepare a scientific article or choose a suitable journal for publishing your research results? You can обратиться to Scientific Publications. We will help assess the potential of your work, build a stronger publication pathway and prepare the material in accordance with academic requirements. Leave your contact details in the form below, and our manager will get in touch with you shortly. Forward to new scientific heights!
