The Academic Mobility of Students from Kazakhstan to Japan: Problems and Prospects

Aktolkyn Rustemova, Serik Meirmanov, Akito Okada, Zhanar Ashinova and Kamshat Rustem
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Aktolkyn Rustemova: Department of the Far East, The Faculty of Oriental Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
Serik Meirmanov: College of Asia Pacific Studies, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Oita 8748577, Japan
Akito Okada: Institute of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, Tokyo 1838534, Japan
Zhanar Ashinova: Department of the Far East, The Faculty of Oriental Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty 050040, Kazakhstan
Kamshat Rustem: Department of Social Sciences, Satbayev University, Almaty 050013, Kazakhstan

Social Sciences, 2020, vol. 9, issue 8, 1-19

Abstract: Background: Despite the internationalization of higher education (IoHE) in Kazakhstan and it being among the top 15 countries sending students abroad, the level of student mobility between Kazakhstan and Japan and factors influencing it have not been well analyzed. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore outgoing student mobility from Kazakhstan to Japan and the reasons underlining this situation. Methods: A descriptive study, involving a literature review and an analysis of data from the two largest universities in Kazakhstan together with those from the Bolashak international scholarship scheme, was performed. Results: The analysis suggested that outgoing student mobility from Kazakhstan to Japan remains at a stable but low level. The mobility of students is mainly a matter of the initiative of universities or the students themselves. The main reasons are the dependence of the policy of the IoHE on the foreign policy of Kazakhstan; the low level of pull factors for students such as affordability, recommendations from acquaintances, or lack of awareness about the country; and absence of a supportive legislative basis for the development of cooperation on higher education between the two countries. Conclusion: Given the areas of common interest economically and politically between Kazakhstan and Japan, there is potential for significantly more student mobility than there is at present.

Keywords: internationalization of higher education; student mobility; educational policy; Kazakhstan-Japan relationship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:9:y:2020:i:8:p:143-:d:398688

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