Kyrgyzstan is actively developing international cooperation in the field of education and science. In this regard, many memorandums of cooperation have been signed, student exchange programmes between the countries are in place, etc. In addition, many foreign students, not only under student exchange programmes, choose Kyrgyzstan to study at universities to obtain higher education, academic degrees and titles. Today we will look at the countries from which students come to study in Kyrgyzstan.
Foreign students studying in Kyrgyzstan's higher education institutions play an important role in the country's development. They make a significant contribution to the economy and infrastructure, actively promote the export of educational services, and create a positive image of the country in the international arena.
Kyrgyzstan is one of the leaders in Central Asia in terms of the number of foreign students
Today, Kyrgyzstan confidently holds a leading position among Central Asian countries in terms of the number of foreign students. According to the latest data, more than 25,000 students from abroad are studying in the country.
This is not an exhaustive list, as students come from a total of 64 countries.
Popular areas of study
The most popular speciality among foreign students is medicine. In 2024, more than 28 thousand students from other countries received medical education in Kyrgyzstan. Applicants from India and Pakistan are particularly active. They choose both public and numerous private medical institutions of higher education in the country.
The benefits of studying for the country and the education system
The growth in the number of foreign students has a positive impact not only on individual educational institutions, but also on the entire educational system and the economy of the state. This includes additional investments, development of local infrastructure, and increased demand for housing, services, and transport. In addition, foreign students are actively learning about the culture, language and traditions of Kyrgyzstan.
Impact on the Professional Development of Teachers
The rector of the Bishkek International Medical Institute noted that the education of foreigners also contributes to the professional growth of teachers. To ensure the quality of the educational process, many of them improve their English language skills, enhance their qualifications and competitiveness in the international labour market.
Why foreign students choose Kyrgyzstan?
According to research, the key factors that attract students are lower tuition fees, affordable admission conditions and a favourable environment for taking exams. Most respondents believe that they receive a quality education on acceptable terms. However, at present, the main advantage of Kyrgyzstan remains affordability, both in terms of tuition fees and living expenses.
Prospects for the development of education for foreigners in Kyrgyzstan
Education exports are an important area of development for Kyrgyzstan, which not only increases the country's international prestige but also makes a significant contribution to its economy. According to the Ministry of Education, in 2024, annual budget revenues from foreign students will amount to between 12 and 16 billion KGS.
However, further development of this sector requires a shift from quantitative to qualitative growth. Focusing solely on the affordable cost of education should be replaced by an emphasis on its quality. Raising the requirements for higher education institutions, modernising programmes, improving teaching staff and educational infrastructure will not only improve the level of training of foreign students, but also have a positive impact on the overall educational standard in the country.
The state is already taking steps in this direction: higher education institutions are merging to optimise the educational space, legislation is being changed, and universities are being given new powers along with the introduction of higher quality standards.
Foreign students are also actively involved in research: many of them are studying for postgraduate and doctoral degrees, seeking to obtain academic degrees (PhD, Doctor of Science) and titles (associate professor, professor). This requires scientific publications, which, in turn, contributes to the development of the country's scientific environment and enhances its international scientific reputation.
Thus, the development of education for foreigners in Kyrgyzstan is a strategic opportunity to modernise the entire educational system and integrate into the global academic space.
Benefits of cooperation and partnership with foreign students and researchers
Visibility and citations
Scientific publications included in the Scopus and Web of Science databases have wider access to a global scientific audience, which contributes to the growth of citations. The high level of editorial control and peer review in publications included in these platforms ensures the quality of publications, which, in turn, increases their credibility among scientists. This allows researchers to be more visible and influential in their fields.
Promising cooperation
Joining forces with foreign students and young scientists opens up great opportunities for Kyrgyz researchers. Joint scientific publications not only increase the academic credibility of all authors, but also help to broaden scientific horizons, increasing the likelihood of receiving grants for further research.
Publications in international databases, such as Scopus or Web of Science, are important for obtaining academic degrees and titles in Kyrgyzstan. This is confirmed by the current regulations, in particular the provisions on awarding degrees and titles. Such requirements stimulate the improvement of the quality of scientific activity and ensure that the achievements of Kyrgyz scientists are recognised internationally.
Postgraduate students, doctoral students and researchers in Kyrgyzstan should actively seek ways to cooperate with foreign scholars and prepare joint research articles. Such cooperation helps to generate new ideas, broadens the range of scientific interests and contributes to achieving mutually beneficial results.
Going international
Scientific partnerships with foreign researchers are an effective way to raise the international profile of Kyrgyz scientists. Often, foreign partners have access to resources, funding or technology that may be limited in Kyrgyzstan.
Such cooperation creates favourable conditions for both parties: foreign students studying in the country get the opportunity to increase their own scientific visibility, and Kyrgyz researchers get the opportunity to expand their field of research and increase their competitiveness in the international arena. International scientific integration is an important factor in the sustainable development of the scientific sphere.
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