Kazakhstan recently passed a new law, signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 1st, introducing amendments to some legislative acts concerning science and technology policy, platform employment, and state control. The aim of the law is to strengthen Kazakhstan’s national scientific system by defining the roles and rights of entities involved in scientific activities, establishing the legal status of the National Academy of Sciences, outlining the functions of the Science Fund, and setting out mechanisms for financing scientific research.
The legislation addresses both strategic, professional, and social issues within scientific activity. It aims to close legal gaps, create conditions for training scientific personnel, implement guarantees for the social protection of scientists, and introduce 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, 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. This is in line with President Tokayev’s instructions. 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