This is a collaborative research project involving researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education and Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education. The research is sponsored by Nazarbayev University with funding from the Republic of Kazakhstan Ministry of Education and Science. Co-principal investigators for the project are Professor Laura Perna of the University of Pennsylvania and Associate Professor Aida Sagintayeva of Nazarbayev University.  The research team is comprised of Kadisha Dairova, Marina Kishkentayeva, Zakir Jumakulov, and Adil Ashirbekov, Nazarbayev University, and Kata Orosz and Dr. Bryan Gopaul,  University of Pennsylvania.  

The goal of this research project is to conduct an overall diagnosis of education system of the Republic of Kazakhstan in order to identify its strengths and weaknesses and to define directions for further modernization at all levels. This project aims to provide analytical support and development of specific recommendations for effective implementation of the State Program of Education Development in the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2011-2020, taking into account the best international practices.