West Kazakhstan University of Innovation and Technology (WKITU) is a multidisciplinary higher education institution with many years of experience in training professionals in education, services, business, engineering, agriculture and other fields.

WKITU conducts its educational activities in accordance with State Licence No. KZ70LAA00005828, issued on 30 September 2015 by the Committee for Control in Education and Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

West Kazakhstan University of Innovation and Technology was established as a legal entity in 2015; however, its overall history spans 25 years of educational activity. Over these years, the University has trained more than 40,000 professionals, including members of the Senate and the Mazhilis, employees of ministries and government agencies, managers and specialists of state-owned enterprises and private companies, public administration managers, and public figures.

The University’s long history of development and its reputation in the educational services market define the distinctive nature of its mission, vision and strategy.

University Mission: To generate new knowledge, innovations and technologies in order to educate socially responsible individuals and train competitive professionals with creative thinking.

University Vision: To become a centre of excellence and attraction for science and education in Western Kazakhstan.

At present, more than 10,000 undergraduate and master’s students study at WKITU, including students from the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The University comprises the Institute of Education and Management, the Institute of Industrial Technologies, the Research Library, the Editorial and Publishing Department, and other research, academic and production-oriented units. WKITU has nine academic buildings, student dormitories, three standard sports halls and two auxiliary sports halls.

In the National Ranking of the Most In-Demand Higher Education Institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, WKITU ranked 14th in 2020, 13th in 2021 and 15th in 2022, placing it among the Top 15. According to the results of the “Top 20–2023” General Ranking of higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan conducted by the IAAR agency, WKITU ranked 15th. In the ranking of educational programmes offered by Kazakhstani universities, conducted by the Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, WKITU educational programmes are consistently ranked among the country’s Top 10.

The University employs recipients of the “Best University Teacher” state grant, holders of medals and badges such as “Excellence in Education,” “Honorary Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” “Y. Altynsarin,” “For Contribution to the Development of Science,” and “Named after A. Baitursynov,” as well as Masters of Sport. In 2020, two University lecturers received the “Best University Teacher” state grant.

The University helps strengthen the capacity and professional competence of its teaching staff and encourages their professional and personal development by providing opportunities for continuing education. Academic staff undertake annual professional development in the subjects they teach on an individual basis. The University also organises professional development courses in educational management, teaching methods, distance-learning technologies, strategic development, educational programme design, digitalisation and other areas.

For example, from 4 October 2021 to 20 May 2022, 240 University lecturers and employees completed a 144-hour course at the “Ulttyq Ustaz” Online Academy. In 2024, 35 University lecturers completed the professional development course “Implementation of the Teacher Education Model and Strengthening Its Content” as part of the “Modernisation of Education” project.

The University operates a Council of Young Scientists, student research societies and student clubs. It publishes the academic journal *Bulletin of WKITU*. The publication activity of academic staff in international journals with a non-zero impact factor has increased.

WKITU has established an Alumni Association, an Employers’ Council, a student self-government system and youth organisations. Seasonal employment is provided for students through student construction teams and the Zhasyl El programme. Every year, University students win prizes in competitions, subject Olympiads, research conferences and sporting events held in Kazakhstan and abroad.

The University is distinguished by the rich cultural and sporting life of its students, supported by the “Young Educator,” “Young Psychologist,” “Zhas Aqyndar” and “Alash” clubs, the “Aru” dance ensemble, the “Barys” sports club, various sports sections, a vocal club, the “Adilet” debate club and other associations.

The University has established coworking spaces for collaborative and individual work and recreation. These spaces have created additional opportunities for integration and cooperation between science, education and industry. They are equipped with everything required to organise a flexible working environment for exchanging experience, discussing ideas, developing new joint solutions and implementing projects.

The University’s academic staff consists of specialists who graduated from the country’s leading higher education institutions, professionals with experience in research institutes, and practitioner-lecturers with extensive professional expertise. Professional training is the foundation of the educational process and is delivered in accordance with the requirements of national education standards.

Instruction is provided in Kazakh, the state language, and Russian. In recognition of their contribution to the development of education and science in the Republic of Kazakhstan, University lecturers have received government awards and distinctions, including “Honorary Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the medal “For Contribution to the Development of Science,” the Order “Named after A. Baitursynov,” the “Y. Altynsarin” badge, the “Enbek Ardageri” medal, the A. Baitursynov Medal, the Leibniz Medal (Germany), and the “Best University Teacher” award.

The University’s academic staff actively publish research in journals indexed in Scopus, journals recommended by the Committee for Control and Development of Education and Science, other academic journals of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international scholarly publications, as well as in the proceedings of university, regional and international research and practice conferences.

To deliver its educational programmes, the University maintains close academic ties with both domestic and international higher education institutions, including Goethe University and the University of Bonn (Germany), Ankara University (Türkiye), Orenburg State Pedagogical University (Orenburg, Russian Federation), Saratov State University named after N. G. Chernyshevsky (Saratov, Russian Federation), Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education (Samara, Russian Federation), S. Baishev Aktobe University and others.

University students have opportunities and receive support from the University administration to study at international higher education institutions through academic mobility programmes and to publish their research findings in international journals.

To enhance the quality of its educational activities, WKITU has established an internal quality assurance system based on the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). The system covers:

1. Quality assurance policy;
2. Design and approval of programmes;
3. Student-centred learning, teaching and assessment;
4. Student admission, progression, recognition and certification;
5. Teaching staff;
6. Learning resources and student support;
7. Information management;
8. Public information;
9. Ongoing monitoring and periodic review of programmes;
10. Periodic external quality assurance.

WKITU’s location in a region bordering the Russian Federation contributed to the introduction of the courses “Global Financial Markets,” “International Finance” and “Customs Affairs” into educational programmes in the field of Business and Management. Educational Programme 6B04104, “State and Local Government,” provides for an in-depth study of the digital infrastructure of public administration. Based on an analysis of the needs of the market and the business community, practice-oriented courses were introduced, including “Innovative Activities of an Enterprise,” “Corporate Strategy,” “Regional Economics,” “Financial Risk Management in a Commercial Bank,” “Current Issues in the Development of Financial Markets,” and “Mechanisms for Ensuring the Financial Sustainability of an Enterprise During a Crisis.” An analysis of educational programmes in the region found that these courses were developed and offered exclusively by WKITU.

WKITU is the only higher education institution in the region that trains specialists through the “Translation Studies” and “Architecture” educational programmes. These programmes have been designed to reflect the specific characteristics of the West Kazakhstan Region as one of Kazakhstan’s largest oil- and gas-producing regions.

Teacher education programmes are aligned with the “Teacher” occupational standard and the *Atlas of New Professions* and have been developed with due regard to the Concept for the Development of Science and Higher Education for 2023–2029.

University departments operate branch facilities for student training, providing opportunities for direct interaction with industry professionals, practical training and subsequent employment.

WKITU educational programmes are developed in accordance with the national development priorities set out in the Concept for the Development of Science and Education for 2023–2029 and the WKITU Development Programme for 2023–2029. They also take into account existing development risks, the University’s current position in the region, and the actual needs of employers, students and other stakeholders. The distinctive features of the educational programmes are reflected in the learning pathways proposed by stakeholders.

Ensuring access to education is an important component of the University’s social policy. To make education more accessible, WKITU provides social support to students through tuition discounts and benefits. This primarily applies to students from socially vulnerable groups. The University’s policies, internal regulations and documented procedures are aimed at taking into account the needs of different groups of students and providing them with support and flexible learning pathways.

The interests and needs of individuals requiring inclusive education are taken into account and addressed. Under the Roadmap for the Development of Inclusive Education, inclusive education at WKITU is coordinated by dedicated inclusive education offices. The University has created a barrier-free environment for students with special educational needs, including those with visual or hearing impairments and those with limited mobility. The University grounds meet the requirements for the unobstructed, safe and convenient movement of students with special educational needs. Accessible routes and information and navigation support are provided; stairs are supplemented by ramps; stairs and ramps are fitted with handrails; and designated parking spaces are available for vehicles used by people with special educational needs.

Social support for students is one of the most important aspects of an educational institution’s activities. WKITU has created appropriate social conditions for international students and for students from other regions of Kazakhstan and districts of the West Kazakhstan Region. They are provided with accommodation in the University’s two dormitories, which is one of the mechanisms used to attract international students.

The University’s academic staff is recruited in accordance with the qualification requirements applicable to educational activities. Fifty per cent of lecturers hold academic degrees and titles. The current composition of the academic staff supports the University’s development in all areas and helps mitigate the potential risks identified in the WKITU Development Programme.

Over the past three years, the University has seen an increase in the number of young lecturers, with the average age of academic staff falling to 43. The working conditions and support available to young lecturers promote their professional development.

To ensure effective performance and staff motivation, the University administration offers academic staff competitive salaries, takes their preferences into account when preparing timetables and allocating teaching loads, and creates conditions for research, professional development and career advancement. Financial incentives provided under the Regulations on the Academic Staff Rating contribute to greater teaching effectiveness and quality.

Graduate employment is one of WKITU’s principal development priorities, and monitoring the employment of graduates is an integral part of the University’s activities. We strive to remain in contact with our graduates and to contribute to the professional growth and career path of each one. On average, more than 70 per cent of University graduates find employment each year, demonstrating strong demand for them in the labour market.

One of the University’s most important areas of activity is the development of cooperation in science and education with higher education institutions and centres in Kazakhstan and abroad. Such cooperation is an important indicator of institutional effectiveness. WKITU has currently concluded more than 80 cooperation agreements in science and education with higher education institutions and research institutes in Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Poland and Armenia. WKITU participates in international associations and projects, including the Eurasian Association of Universities (Moscow, Russian Federation), the Education Network Association of Educational Institutions, Erasmus Mundus, the Magna Charta Observatory, the Bolashak Centre for International Programmes, the European University Association (EUA, Belgium), and the Association of Asian Universities.

Under these agreements, the parties discuss cooperation and joint or dual-degree education; University lecturers undertake professional development and research internships; joint international research and practice conferences are organised and held; collaborative research is conducted; dissertations are prepared and defended; academic exchanges involving academic staff and master’s students are implemented; visiting professors from abroad are invited; and continuing professional education programmes are delivered. The University currently implements three joint educational programmes developed in cooperation with international higher education institutions.

The University’s research infrastructure includes pedagogical, technological and developmental research laboratories, teaching excellence rooms, methodological and interactive classrooms, educational television studios and an inclusive education office. Research projects are undertaken on behalf of educational institutions in the city and the wider region.

The University administration promotes the academic mobility of students and lecturers as one of the institution’s priority areas. WKITU provides opportunities for both incoming and outgoing, as well as domestic, student mobility. The University currently has more than 80 agreements with international and domestic partner institutions. It has established a mechanism for recognising learning outcomes achieved through academic mobility and additional, formal and non-formal learning, thereby creating favourable conditions for academic mobility.

The University provides lecturers with opportunities to undertake internships in Azerbaijan, Poland, Italy, the United States, Israel, Türkiye and leading universities in Kazakhstan. Young lecturers pursue postgraduate studies at Samara State University of Economics, Saratov State University named after N. G. Chernyshevsky and Bashkir State Pedagogical University named after M. Akmulla. They also pursue PhD studies at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, the Kazakh Academy of Sport and Tourism, the Kazakh National Agrarian University and other institutions.

The Centre for Continuing Education organises and delivers teacher retraining programmes for all interested participants, as well as professional development courses for educators on topics such as “Implementing Inclusive Education within the Updated Curriculum,” “Contemporary Competencies in Librarians’ Information and Library Services,” “Effective Use of Modern Digital Resources in Teaching,” and “1C Accounting and Tax Reporting.”

The University has established a “Silver University,” which organises courses for its participants in computer literacy, the fundamentals of philosophy, adaptive physical education, psychology, languages and other areas.

Thus, today WKITU is a modern multidisciplinary university that combines high-quality education, scientific research, international cooperation, and comprehensive student support. Drawing on many years of experience and remaining true to its mission, the University consistently introduces innovative technologies, develops its human resources, and trains competitive professionals who are in demand in the labour market. WKITU continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading scientific and educational centres in Western Kazakhstan, creating new opportunities for the professional and personal growth of every student.