Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev chaired a meeting of the National Council for Science and Technology under the President. The meeting identified the priorities of the country’s scientific and technical policy.
The main task is to determine the priorities for the development of science in the country, as well as to establish a direct communication channel between the head of state and the scientific community. In addition, a draft law «On Science and Technological Policy» is currently being discussed.
The head of state emphasized that science has always been the key to development.
In this regard, at today’s meeting, the President gave several instructions to the Government on five areas of domestic science development.
Another important step highlighted by the President at the meeting is the support for the proposal to bring back scientists working in foreign scientific centers. K. Tokayev instructed a thorough study of international experience in attracting leading scientists and to explore all opportunities for high-profile foreign specialists to work for the benefit of the country.
The National Council for Science and Technology under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan includes President of the Board Akhylbek Kurishbayev, two Vice Presidents Askar Jumadildayev and Dos Sarbasov, and members of the Presidium of the Council of Young Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences Beibit Abdikenov, Asiya Yermukhambetova, and Yelaman Aibuldinov.
You can find the full text of the report by the President of the Board of the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A. Kurishbayev, at the meeting of the National Council for Science and Technology under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 12, 2024, in the document below.
Speech by the President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A. Kurishbayev, at the Regular Meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on April 12, 2024
Honorable Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, esteemed members of the council,
On behalf of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, I would like to extend my congratulations on Science Day!
Honorable Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich!
Thanks to your support, unprecedented measures are being taken to develop science in our country. Among these, your directive to elevate the status of the National Academy of Sciences holds particular significance. Through our work in this new format, we have recognized the critical importance of this decision. Therefore, we are confident that the Academy can and must play a crucial role in the flourishing of science in our nation.
In line with the tasks set before us, we have defined the mission, vision, and strategy of the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy should not duplicate the functions of the ministry or become another administrative layer over scientists. The modern Academy has its unique mission – to become an autonomous scientific organization that unites the leading scientists of the country who are willing and able to contribute to the development of Kazakhstani science and fill the systemic gaps present in the scientific field.
First and foremost, it is important to note that, unlike technologically advanced countries, our scientific research priorities are mainly determined to justify and distribute funding and are based more on the capabilities of scientists rather than the needs of the country.
In accordance with your directive, the Academy is developing an objective system for determining science priorities based on foresight studies, technological forecasting, and an assessment of the actual state of the economy, drawing on successful global practices.
To coordinate this work, we have signed an agreement with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs «Atameken,» under which a detailed roadmap for the interaction of science and business is being developed, covering both the identification of research topics and the implementation of scientific projects.
Secondly, global experience shows that strategically important tasks such as adapting agriculture to drought, integrated water resource management, and addressing environmental issues are solved only through the implementation of large interdisciplinary scientific projects involving leading foreign scientists (where there is a lack of domestic scientific competencies).
The Academy has already commenced the development of five such integrated scientific programs (megagrants). For example, under the leadership of the Academy’s Vice President, renowned biotechnologist Dos Sarbasov, a project on the development of modern biotechnology in agriculture in Kazakhstan is being prepared, which will enable a significant breakthrough in increasing the productivity of agricultural crops.
The second program aims to utilize spatial (GIS-based) water resource management models, from water accumulation to its final consumption. We already see that this program will be multifaceted and quite complex (with no analogs in Kazakhstan), but as a result, we will create and test reliable models for analyzing the state and management of water resources at various levels. Scientists from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the University of California, Davis (USA), leaders in water management modeling, are expected to be involved in the development and implementation of this project.
On April 19, an off-site meeting of the Academy’s Presidium will be held in Shortandy at the A.I. Baraev Grain Farming Research Institute on the topic: «The Role of Agricultural Science in Adapting Agriculture to Natural Catastrophes,» with the participation of domestic and foreign scientists, business representatives, and members of Parliament. Based on its outcomes, the Academy will present proposals for systemic changes in the organization of agricultural scientific research and the activities of the managing company NANOC for your consideration.
Thirdly, at a recent meeting of the Kurultai, the Academy proposed the initiative «Science in the Regions for the Regions.» Its goal is to comprehensively support the development of regional science so that the existing scientific potential is effectively utilized by local executive bodies. This proposal is supported by the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs «Atameken.»
We are currently identifying several regions to pilot this initiative. Afterward, the developed model will be replicated in other regions.
Fourthly, Honorable Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, in accordance with your directive, the task of rejuvenating scientific personnel by attracting talented youth has been set as one of the Academy’s main priorities. For the first time since independence, a Council of Young Scientists was recently established at the Academy, uniting young but already accomplished leaders in science. We believe it will become a real tool for involving creative youth in major science. A regulation on the Council has been developed, and issues of stimulating and supporting young scientists are being worked on.
In conclusion, I would like to report that, in accordance with your directive, the Academy has developed and submitted to the Mazhilis a draft of relevant amendments to the science legislation, which enshrines the special status of the Academy as the highest scientific organization, regulates its governance structure, functions, and areas of activity, as well as funding sources.
Thank you for your attention!