The Rector of S. Toraighyrov PSU took part in the National Round-Table Conference on the Development Prospects of Entrepreneurship Education in Kazakhstan held by Almaty Management University.

The event was attended by Takir Balykbayev, Vice-Minister of Education and Science, Nurzhan Altayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Oren Simanian, the founder of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Tel Aviv University, representatives of Damu Foundation for Entrepreneurship Support, rectors and vice-rectors from 30 universities of Kazakhstan, professors from higher education institutions, heads of business incubators, associations and organizations.

Takir Balykbaev noted in his opening speech that higher education institutions in Kazakhstan are looking for a new model of governance combining research, practice and education.

The Government of Kazakhstan has set a task for higher education institutions to train managers for companies established under the State Program for Accelerated Industrial and Innovative Development. The funding will be provided by both the state and business entities.

According to Aryn Orsariyev, such meetings are especially relevant now in light of our country's accession to the WTO. “It is important for our HEIs to adopt more flexible models of academic activities management. A competitive economy must have competitive higher education institutions,” he said.

During the meeting, representatives of government agencies, businesses and higher education institutions discussed the prospects of development of entrepreneurship education in the Republic of Kazakhstan and its commercialization, establishment and promotion of business incubators and technology parks, and also made some recommendations regarding the development of entrepreneurship education.