and opens doors for academic collaborations worldwide. To this end, SEM Narxoz has successfully obtained FIBAA accreditation for all its BBA and MSc programmes and become a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Business School Impact System (BSIS), as well as BGA. In addition, the school is now pursuing accreditations with the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). These efforts demonstrate SEM Narxoz’s commitment to continuous improvement and global recognition in the world of higher education. Raising the bar to enhance learning To boost the quality of academic experience and programme outcomes, SEM Narxoz has also sought to enhance its admissions process, gradually raising the bar for entry between 2020 and 2024 to ensure that only the most talented students were admitted. This was done by increasing the minimum score required on Kazakhstan’s Unified National Test, an examination for both high-school graduation and university entrance. This led to a significant increase in the academic calibre of incoming students. Alongside this, SEM Narxoz introduced proficiency standards for its English-language programmes. International English Language Testing System scores of 5.5 were established as a requirement for entry into undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Further thresholds of 6.5 for admission to double-degree programmes and 7.0 to be achieved by graduation were also introduced. In the process, SEM Narxoz transitioned several further programmes to English- only instruction, a shift that was welcomed by students because they felt it better prepared them for global educational and employment opportunities. The integration of industry expertise was another important element in Narxoz’s evolution. In 2021, the university began to incorporate adjunct professors into its faculty, significantly enriching the academic experience. By 2024, these experts represented
academic perspectives, the school has helped reshape an educational landscape where students no longer need to study abroad to access high-quality education. In this sense, the pace and scale of change to Kazakhstan’s higher education system can be likened
to a profound, catalytic metamorphosis. The power of partnerships
Central to this process has been the embracing of international partnerships, a crucial strategy for those seeking to remain competitive in today’s global educational ecosystem and one of particular importance to SEM Narxoz. Such collaborations are designed to not only provide high-quality education locally but also ensure that Narxoz thrives within global networks of academic excellence. As such, the focus has not been on superficial affiliations with international universities, but rather on forging meaningful, operational partnerships with respected institutions, such as Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland, Hof University of Applied Sciences in Germany and the Technical University of Ostrava in the Czech Republic. These partnerships have provided students with valuable opportunities to pursue double degrees, as well as gaining international exposure. They have also furthered academic mobility and global research collaborations. A prime example of the university’s evolution beyond local boundaries came in April, with the launch of an international branch of Queen’s University Belfast at Narxoz. Moreover, the school’s double-degree partnerships have allowed the university to harmonise its curricula with global counterparts, ensuring students not only receive high-quality education but also internationally recognised qualifications. Indeed, revising course curricula to align with international academic standards has been another vital step in the school’s transformation. To ensure full compatibility with the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, for example, the wider university implemented the Bologna Process, opening doors for student mobility and facilitating further education opportunities abroad for graduates. A further essential element of the strategy was to secure international accreditation. Not only does this provide global recognition but it also ensures the credibility of SEM Narxoz’s academic offerings
Business Impact • ISSUE 3 • 2025 32
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