ASTANA - Kazakhstan expects to increase the flow of international students in 2026. This was announced by Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, noting that international student education brought the country approximately 22 billion tenge ($47.9 million) in the current academic year, Kazinform reports.
To attract prospective students, the digital platform Study in Kazakhstan is operating, along with an international information campaign. Additional interest is being recorded from Middle Eastern countries.
Kazakhstan remains one of the leaders in Central Asia in terms of the number of international students. According to official estimates, tens of thousands of citizens of other countries, primarily from India, China, Russia, and neighboring countries in the region, are studying at Kazakhstani universities.
Uzbekistan is also actively developing the export of educational services, expanding branches of foreign universities and English-language programs. In recent years, the country has significantly increased the number of students from Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and other countries.
Kyrgyzstan maintains a strong position in the medical education niche, where a significant proportion of international students come from Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh.
Experts note that competition for international students in Central Asia is intensifying, and Kazakhstan is seeking to cement its status as a regional educational hub.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
April 27, 2026