Analyzing the rationale, implementation, and impact of the publication requirement policy for obtaining a doctorate degree in Kazakhstan

Collaborative Research Program 2024-2026

This proposed study aims to explore the analyzes the rationale, implementation, and impact of the publication requirement policy for obtaining a doctorate degree in Kazakhstan. There is an increasing recognition around the world that doctoral education is a precursor to the development of research and innovation capacity of a nation, which, in their turn, are viewed as drivers of innovation, social development, and economic growth (McAlpine, 2017; Yudkevich et al., 2020). Kazakhstan has been actively engaged in the reform of its doctoral education. The reforms were prompted by Kazakhstan’s joining the Bologna process and the EU requirement of degree harmonization in 2010 (Tomusk, 2011). Kazakhstan introduced PhD programsas the third-tier degree programmes for preparing future researchers (Kuchumova, 2021). In addition, the changes in doctoral education were motivated by parallel reforms aimed at increasing the capacity of university research. In preparing the research cadre capable to produce globally competitive research, publication requirement was also introduced as one of the degree requirements in doctoral education. In particular, for the commencement of the Ph.D. degree, candidates are required to complete a certain
number of articles (2-3 depending on the type of dissertation) in international peer reviewed journals or in journals included in the list of journals recommended by the Committee on the Quality in Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan (INEU, 2023). There is a shortage of empirical research on the format and the effectiveness of doctoral programs offered in Kazakhstan. Employing mixed methods, the study aims to fill this gap.