Internationalizing Higher Education Institutions in Kazakhstan.

Аңдатпа

The paper reports our research in the first phase of a three-part, threeyear Republic of Kazakhstan Ministry of Education and Science funded higher education research project: «Advancing Models of Best Practices of Internationalization in Kazakhstan». The focus of this study is «The Work of Internationalization Offices within Institutional Internationalization Strategy», and it seeks to understand the perspectives of International Office Directors in Kazakhstani Universities (n=48) on their role in the development and implementation of institutional strategic plans for internationalization. Key findings from this questionnaire-based study include: International Office Directors report having influence in developing institutional international strategy; they report significant support for their work from institutional leadership; and they report a strong desire for professional
development opportunities targeting their emerging needs as their work changes in the dynamic higher education policy context of Kazakhstan. The paper concludes with implications based in the study findings for further research by the Republic of Kazakhstan Ministry of Education and Science, as well as Kazakhstani and international academics, seeking to understand the changing work of International Office staff and the professional
development support needs important to them.