In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the importance of acquiring verified skills and education through online platforms has become more crucial than ever. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Kazakhstan has recognized this shift and has taken steps to integrate for-credit learning and world-class certifications into the country’s higher education system.
Coursera, a global online learning provider, has renewed its partnership with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Kazakhstan to provide tens of thousands of students with essential skills in areas such as Data Science, Cybersecurity, AI, Engineering, and Finance. Through this collaboration, students will have access to industry-recognized certifications that will equip them with the necessary tools to succeed in the digital economy.
One of the key objectives of this partnership is to modernize Kazakhstan’s higher education curricula by offering students access to over 13,500 courses from leading companies and universities around the world. These courses can be taken for credit, allowing students to earn official transferable credits towards their degrees by completing job-relevant certifications.
Additionally, the partnership aims to equip all Kazakhstani students with foundational AI knowledge through access to introductory courses like Google AI Essentials and advanced content from innovative AI companies. This initiative supports the AI-Sana program, which ensures that every graduate has a basic understanding of Generative AI and Digital Ethics, regardless of their field of study.
To further promote the Kazakh language in online education, over 4,000 courses on priority topics such as AI, GenAI, data science, and machine learning have been translated into Kazakh. This initiative aims to overcome language barriers and ensure that the best education is accessible in the national tongue.
Since 2022, Coursera has been a strategic partner for Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, supporting the country’s higher education sector in bridging the gap between curriculum and careers. The collaboration has reached over 235,000 students and has resulted in over 500,000 certificates earned across more than 100 Kazakhstani universities.
Kazakhstan’s proactive approach to higher education has positioned it as a frontrunner in for-credit, skills-first learning. According to the Global Skills Report, Kazakhstan ranks 37th globally for overall skill proficiency, leading the Central Asian region by a significant margin.
Moving forward, the partnership between Coursera and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education will ensure that Kazakh learners have access to cutting-edge skills from over 375 trusted content partners, including industry leaders like Google, Anthropic, and Microsoft, as well as renowned universities such as the University of Michigan, Duke University, and Vanderbilt University.
Minister Sayasat Nubrek of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education emphasized the importance of “deepskilling” in today’s rapidly changing labor market landscape. The partnership with Coursera enables Kazakhstan to address the challenges of upskilling and reskilling in the face of new demands and advancements in AI technology.
Among the universities benefiting from the Coursera platform is the International Information Technology University (IITU), where over 6,000 students have enrolled in nearly 99,000 courses. With an 87% completion rate, students attribute their satisfaction to the industry relevance and practical application of the courses.
Currently, Coursera supports the skills development of over 900,000 Kazakhstani learners, who have collectively spent over 1.9 million hours learning on the platform. In recognition of the Ministry’s efforts to transform teaching and learning on a national scale, Minister Sayasat Nubrek was honored with the “Learning Hero” Award at the global Coursera Connect Awards in September 2025.
Overall, the partnership between Coursera and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in Kazakhstan underscores the importance of for-credit learning and verified skills in preparing students for success in the digital age. Through access to world-class education and certifications, Kazakh learners are well-equipped to thrive in the global workforce and contribute to the country’s continued progress in the digital economy.
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