Kazakhstan is taking a major step forward in its scientific and technological development with the signing of a new law on July 1. The law introduces amendments to various legislative acts, focusing on science and technology policy, platform employment, and state control. The goal is to strengthen Kazakhstan’s national scientific system by outlining the legal status of the National Academy of Sciences and detailing the functions of the Science Fund.
The legislation also addresses strategic, professional, and social issues within scientific activity by closing legal gaps, creating conditions for training scientific personnel, implementing guarantees for the social protection of scientists, and introducing corporate governance. Drawing from the experience of developed countries, Kazakhstan’s scientific and technological policy will focus on raising the internal level of scientific and innovative work, reducing the innovation gap with global technological leaders, and assimilating new external information for commercial use by Kazakh companies.
To motivate scientists and enhance their living conditions, the law includes provisions such as purchasing housing or improving living conditions under a joint program by the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education and Otbasy Bank. President Tokayev has instructed this program to be implemented effectively to ensure that scientists are properly compensated for their hard work. The law is expected to contribute to the development of science and technology policy in Kazakhstan, ensuring its competitiveness through effective application of scientific achievements and enhancing intersectoral coordination of scientific, technical, and innovation activities.