Enhancing Students’ Employability through University–Industry Partnerships in Kazakhstan

Effective university–industry partnerships (UIPs) help universities access state-of-the-art equipment and resources to conduct research and improve their educational programs. The development of UIPs is a key priority in post-Soviet Kazakhstan’s governmental education agenda; however, little is known about its influence on students’ learning and employment preparation. This study examines the influence of UIPs on students’ learning processes and employability in Kazakhstan. Drawing on interviews with senior leadership and faculty (N = 55) in four state universities, our findings demonstrate that although the government has invested in several policy initiatives to enhance university–industry collaboration, the full potential of UIPs to improve students’ learning and employability is limited by the poor organization of internships, excessive governmental control, and the need to comply with education policies that do not account for regional economic differences. We argue that these barriers are rooted in the government’s homogenization of assessment criteria for employability, lack of consistency in higher education reform initiatives, industry reluctance to collaborate with universities, limited university autonomy, and a poor understanding of partnerships. These findings have implications for university leaders, faculty, and policymakers interested in developing and improving UIPs.