Shakarim University in the top 500 universities in Asia
Address by Duman Orynbekov, Rector of Shakarim University, member of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi, to the university community
Dear colleagues, teachers, scientists, staff, student community of Shakarim University!
Today, November 3, the results of the QS Asia University Rankings 2027 were published. Our university was ranked 452nd in Asia,up 41 positions over the year and ahead of 73.9% of the rankings from 26 countries and territories.In Central Asia, Shakarim ranks 27th.
We are among the top 500 universities in one of the largest and most competitive educational regions in the world.
But the meaning of this result is much broader than the ranking position. It reflects the changes taking place at the university, the strengthening of its international competitiveness and new opportunities for the development of Semey, the Abay region and Kazakhstan.
From restoration of positions to sustainable growth
Over five rating cycles, Shakarim has gone through a difficult path:
2023 - 501st–550th place;
2024 - 601–650th;
2025 - 501–520th;
2026 - 493rd;
2027 - 452nd place.
After a decline in 2024, the university improves its position in three consecutive rating cycles.
Even more significant is the change in our position relative to other participants. In 2024, Shakarim was ahead of 24.3% of Asian universities, in 2025 - 47.4%, in 2026 - 67.9%, today - 73.9%.
In three years, we have significantly changed our position in the international academic environment.
This is especially important given the scale of competition. We are ranked in the same space as universities in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, India and other Asian countries, many of which have a powerful research infrastructure, significant resources and long-term international reputation.
In these conditions, the promotion of a regional university in Kazakhstan takes on special significance.
We see the result of a consistent renewal of the educational, scientific, international and technological environment of Shakarim. At the same time, further growth will require even deeper institutional changes.
Strong positions that determine our competitiveness
Behind the overall ranking position are specific achievements
52nd place in Asia in outgoing academic mobility of students. According to this criterion, the university received the maximum 100 QS points.
For us, this is a fundamental result. International academic experiences should not only be available to students at major university centers. A young person who chooses Semey should have the opportunity to study with foreign teachers, participate in exchange programs, and get acquainted with leading educational and scientific schools.
195th place in Asia in terms of the share of foreign teachers - an increase of 37 positions. This is an indicator of the expansion of the international academic presence. The next step is to transform such cooperation into sustainable joint programs, research and development of the competencies of our teachers.
Two more results are of particular strategic importance:
265th place in academic reputation - an increase of 16 positions.
325th place in reputation among employers - an increase of 14 positions.
Together, these criteria form 50% of the final result QS Asia University Rankings
Their significance goes far beyond statistics. Academic reputation reflects the recognition of the university by the professional community, reputation among employers reflects the assessment of the training of our graduates.
Such positions cannot be achieved only by the construction of new facilities or administrative decisions. They are formed by the quality of education, research results, professionalism of teachers, achievements of graduates and trust of partners.
Growth in both directions indicates the strengthening of one of the most important assets of the university - its academic reputation.
Shakarim in the higher education system of Kazakhstan
Today universities compete not only for ranking positions, but also for intellectual capital, scientific resources, technologies, international projects and public trust.
In the Address to the people of Kazakhstan dated October 28, 2026, “Current tasks of Kazakhstan in the new historical cycle,” President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev outlined the large-scale tasks of technological renewal of the country, development of science, training of personnel for the new economy and creation of conditions for self-realization of youth.
2027 was declared by the Head of State as the Year of nationwide large-scale construction. This means not only the modernization of infrastructure, but also a growing need for engineers, technologists, researchers, and digital economy specialists. It is the universities that will have to provide the personnel and scientific basis for these transformations.
A special responsibility rests with regional universities. They must not only comply with international standards, but become part of the economic and technological policies of their territories.
For Shakarim, this means deeper integration into the development strategy of the Abay region, implemented by the regional akimat: training of personnel to meet the needs of enterprises, joint applied research, implementation of developments in production, development of agricultural and industrial technologies.
The institutes formed at the university should become active links in a unified system"education - science - production - regional economy.”
International reputation and trust in the university
Shakarim accepted more than 2,600 freshmen this academic year. Compared to the previous year, enrollment has increased by about a quarter.
This is one of the most significant results of recent years.
We are updating educational programs, laboratories and learning spaces, developing international cooperation, scientific research, digital technologies and student entrepreneurship.
It is in this context that our international achievements take on special significance.
But it would be a mistake to declare ourselves leaders based on individual ranking positions.
True leadership must have evidence base: sought-after graduates, strong scientific schools, proprietary technologies, existing international partnerships and concrete results for the economy of the region and the country.
Our task is to turn international recognition into a sustainable institutional strength of the university, capable of not only responding to the challenges of the time, but also directly participating in the implementation of the strategic priorities of Kazakhstan.
The university environment itself is changing
But something else is important here. The international ranking evaluates a university through indicators. Applicants and parents - through trust.
They trust us with years on which the professional and personal future of young people largely depends.
Therefore, every new facility, laboratory, international agreement or digital solution must produce a measurable result: new competencies, research, employment opportunities, real projects and developments.
The growth of reputation should be accompanied by an increase in the quality of education. Otherwise, ranking promotion will not have long-term value.
A strong university is a strategic resource of the Abay region
For Kazakhstan, the development of regional universities is not only a matter of educational policy. This is a question of human capital, technological independence and sustainable development of territories.
Shakarim University is located in Semey - a city with a huge historical and intellectual heritage, in a region that needs modern engineering, agricultural, digital and research competencies.
We therefore consider the international competitiveness of the university as a tool for the development of the Abay region.
Our foreign partnerships should bring joint research and technology. Laboratories - work on economic problems. Educational programs - to prepare specialists in demand in industry, agriculture, education and the digital sector.
The development of Shakarim Elevate Hub, AI competencies, proprietary digital solutions and applied developments forms a new university model.
We are consistently moving from the primary transfer of knowledge to its creation, technological application and commercialization.
Young people should have the opportunity not only to get an education in Semey, but also to join a research team, develop their own product, create an enterprise and realize professional ambitions in their native region.
For our region, this is a matter of retaining talent and creating our own intellectual and technological environment.
This is where I see one of the main strategic importance of the international promotion of Shakarim.
The rating shows not only our achievements, but also ours limitations
Colleagues!
The international ranking makes it possible to objectively assess not only strengths, but also areas in which we are not yet competitive enough.
With high positions in academic mobility and international teaching staff, publications per teacher, citations of scientific papers and the international research network, Shakarim remains outside the first 500 positions.
This is a fundamental signal for the university management.
We need to strengthen scientific schools, form strong research teams, improve the quality of publications, expand international scientific cooperation and strengthen the applied effectiveness of research.
But I am categorically against replacing scientific development with the formal implementation of quantitative indicators.
Scientific effectiveness is determined not by the number of reports, but by the quality of new knowledge, international recognition of research and its real application.
The next stage of growth for Shakarim is impossible without a comparable strengthening of scientific potential.
Therefore, the results of the rating should become the basis for specific management decisions.
Each department is obliged to understand its contribution to the quality of educational programs, scientific productivity, international cooperation, training of graduates and the effectiveness of the university environment.
From managers at all levels, I expect not formal reports, but confirmed results: ongoing projects, high-quality research, sought-after developments, implemented agreements and measurable changes.
International competitiveness is the responsibility of the entire university, and not just the departments working with ratings.
Behind the result is the university team
I thank our professors, teachers, scientists, young researchers, heads of schools, departments, research centers, administrative and technical departments.
Behind every advancement are research, educational programs, international relations, infrastructure renewal and the daily work of a large team.
Special thanks to the students
Your achievements in studies, science, international programs, competitions and technological projects form the reputation of Shakarim no less than the official ranking indicators.
452nd place in Asia is the result of our common work. But this is not the final goal.
We have reached a level that requires even greater responsibility from us.
The next stage is growth based on quality
Today Shakarim is strengthening its position in the international academic space. We see progress in key indicators, growing student confidence, expansion of international opportunities and renewal of university infrastructure.
Now we need to combine these achievements into a sustainable institutional system.
Science must strengthen education. International partnerships - create new research opportunities. Digitalization - increase management efficiency and ensure the emergence of proprietary technologies. The training of specialists is to meet the needs of the economy.
And the results of this work should be noticeable not only in international rankings, but also in the development of Semey, the Abay region and Kazakhstan.
Serious work lies ahead. We have to substantively evaluate the results of the departments, identify areas that require strengthening, and secure personal responsibility for the next stage of development of the university.
Shakarim University entered the top 500 universities in Asia. Now our task is to transform the achieved positions into sustainable quality of science, education and management.
Behind the name Shakarim is Semey. Behind the development of the university are new opportunities for the Abay region. Behind each of our achievements is the work of people who shape its future every day.
That is why our next result should be measured not only by its place in the ranking, but also by how much stronger the university, region and country become.
Thank you all!
