espEconomy: strategy and practiceEconomy: strategy and practice1997-99672663-550XИнститут экономики10.51176/1997-9967-2025-1-31-45esp-1537Research ArticleИННОВАЦИИ И ЦИФРОВАЯ ЭКОНОМИКАINNOVATION AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMYОценка взаимосвязи между высшим образованием и развитием инноваций в КазахстанеAssessment of the Relationship Between Higher Education and Innovation Development in Kazakhstanhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9347-2856МелдебековаА. А.MeldebekovaA. A.

PhD докторант.

Алматы

Aigul A. Meldebekova – PhD сandidate, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

71 Al-Farabi Ave. 71, Almaty

aigul_meld@mail.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9845-7751ТуркееваК. А.TurkeyevaK. A.

К.э.н., доцент, ведущий научный сотрудник.

Алматы

Kulyash A. Turkeyeva – Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Associate Professor, Leading Researcher, Institute of Economics CS MSHE RK.

28 Shevchenko Str., Almaty

turkeeva21@mail.ruhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7239-9581БоранбаеваА. К.BoranbaevaA. K.

PhD.

Алматы

Ainur K. Boranbaeva – PhD, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

71 Al-Farabi Ave. 71, Almaty

boranbaeva7777@gmail.comhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-4849-9042ДжубалиеваЗ. У.DzhubalievaZ. U.

К.э.н.

Алматы

Zora U. Dzhubalieva – Cand. Sc. (Econ.), Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University.

13 Dostyk Ave., Almaty

zora.dzhubalieva@gmail.comКазахский национальный университет им. аль-ФарабиКазахстанAl-Farabi Kazakh National UniversityKazakhstanИнститут экономики КН МНВО РККазахстанInstitute of Economics CS MSHE RKKazakhstanКазахский национальный педагогический университет им. АбаяКазахстанAbai Kazakh National Pedagogical UniversityKazakhstan2025100420252013145Copyright © Мелдебекова А.А., Туркеева К.А., Боранбаева А.К., Джубалиева З.У., 20252025Мелдебекова А.А., Туркеева К.А., Боранбаева А.К., Джубалиева З.У.Meldebekova A.A., Turkeyeva K.A., Boranbaeva A.K., Dzhubalieva Z.U.Данная работа распространяется под лицензией Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.https://esp.ieconom.kz/jour/article/view/1537

.

Currently, Kazakhstan’s higher education system is undergoing drastic transformations due to the transition of the national economy to digital technology platforms. Practice shows the need for such a transition, which is related to the training of qualified specialists with innovative knowledge who can adapt to the new conditions of the labor market. This study aims to assess the relationship between the development of the higher education system and the level of innovative development in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research uses correlation and regression analysis, modeling of linear equations, structural, functional, and comparative analysis, and the grouping method. Statistical data from the Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan and international sources for 2013-2023, covering over 80 countries in terms of education and high technology exports, were used as an empirical base. The results of the correlation analysis showed that such factors as the gross domestic product (correlation coefficient - 0.95), the number of students in higher education institutions (0.66), as well as the number of innovation costs in the industry (0.61), have the greatest impact on internal R&D costs in Kazakhstan. At the same time, despite the positive dynamics of quantitative indicators, several systemic barriers remain in Kazakhstan, hindering the transformation of academic knowledge into market innovations. Future research paths may include a deeper analysis of the role of digital technologies in the transformation of higher education, as well as the development of indicators for assessing the innovative potential of universities.

EducationHigher EducationEducational PolicyTechnology ExportKnowledge EconomyModernization StrategyHuman CapitalReferencesAkhmetov, J. (2024). Наука и инновации в Казахстане: хуже Маврикия, но лучше Сенегала [Science and innovation in Kazakhstan: Worse than Mauritius, but better than Senegal]. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://ratel.kz/outlook/nauka_i_innovatsii_v_kazahstane_huzhe_mavrikija_no_luchshe_senegalaAkhmetov, J. (2024). Наука и инновации в Казахстане: хуже Маврикия, но лучше Сенегала [Science and innovation in Kazakhstan: Worse than Mauritius, but better than Senegal]. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://ratel.kz/outlook/nauka_i_innovatsii_v_kazahstane_huzhe_mavrikija_no_luchshe_senegalaAyashev, O. (2023). Наука и образование-основа единства и благополучия [Science and education – the basis of unity and well-being]. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/sci/press/article/details/129946?lang=ruAyashev, O. (2023). Наука и образование-основа единства и благополучия [Science and education – the basis of unity and well-being]. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/sci/press/article/details/129946?lang=ruBenito, M., Gil, P., & Romera, R. (2020). Evaluating the influence of country characteristics on the higher education system rankings’ progress. Journal of Informetrics, 14(3), Article 101051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2020.101051Benito, M., Gil, P., & Romera, R. (2020). Evaluating the influence of country characteristics on the higher education system rankings’ progress. Journal of Informetrics, 14(3), Article 101051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2020.101051Best Countries for Education. (2024). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-educationBest Countries for Education. (2024). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/best-countries-for-educationBureau of National Statistics. (2024). Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://stat.gov.kz/enBureau of National Statistics. (2024). Bureau of National Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Retrieved November 25, 2024 from https://stat.gov.kz/enCastelló-Climent, A., & Mukhopadhyay, A. (2013). Mass education or a minority well educated elite in the process of growth: The case of India. Journal of Development Economics, 105, 303–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.03.012Castelló-Climent, A., & Mukhopadhyay, A. (2013). Mass education or a minority well educated elite in the process of growth: The case of India. Journal of Development Economics, 105, 303–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2013.03.012Eichelberger, A., & Leong, P. (2019). They think I should teach online! The influence of college faculty’s beliefs about colleagues and institution on online teaching. International Journal for Educational Media and Technology, 13(2). https://www.ijemt.org/index.php/journal/article/view/178Eichelberger, A., & Leong, P. (2019). They think I should teach online! The influence of college faculty’s beliefs about colleagues and institution on online teaching. International Journal for Educational Media and Technology, 13(2). https://www.ijemt.org/index.php/journal/article/view/178European Patent Office. (2024). The role of European universities in patenting and innovation: A study of academic inventions at the EPO. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://link.epo.org/web/publications/studies/en-the-role-of-european-universities-in-patenting-and-innovation.pdfEuropean Patent Office. (2024). The role of European universities in patenting and innovation: A study of academic inventions at the EPO. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://link.epo.org/web/publications/studies/en-the-role-of-european-universities-in-patenting-and-innovation.pdfGao, Y., Wong, S. L., Khambari, M. N. M., Noordin, N. B., & Geng, J. (2022). Sustaining e-learning studies in higher education: An examination of scientific productions in Scopus between 2019 and 2021. Sustainability, 14(21), 14005. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114005Gao, Y., Wong, S. L., Khambari, M. N. M., Noordin, N. B., & Geng, J. (2022). Sustaining e-learning studies in higher education: An examination of scientific productions in Scopus between 2019 and 2021. Sustainability, 14(21), 14005. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114005Geng, Y., Chen, L., Li, J., & Iqbal, K. (2023). Higher education and digital economy: Analysis of their coupling coordination with the Yangtze River economic Belt in China as an example. Ecological Indicators, 154, 110510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110510Geng, Y., Chen, L., Li, J., & Iqbal, K. (2023). Higher education and digital economy: Analysis of their coupling coordination with the Yangtze River economic Belt in China as an example. Ecological Indicators, 154, 110510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110510Government of Kazakhstan. (2024). Правительством принята Концепция по развитию искусственного интеллекта на 2024-2029 годы [The Government has adopted the Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for 2024-2029]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://primeminister.kz/ru/news/pravitelstvom-prinyata-kontseptsiya-po-razvitiyu-iskusstvennogo-intellekta-na-2024-2029-gody-28786Government of Kazakhstan. (2024). Правительством принята Концепция по развитию искусственного интеллекта на 2024-2029 годы [The Government has adopted the Concept for the Development of Artificial Intelligence for 2024-2029]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://primeminister.kz/ru/news/pravitelstvom-prinyata-kontseptsiya-po-razvitiyu-iskusstvennogo-intellekta-na-2024-2029-gody-28786Kazakhstan Institute of Public Development. (2024). Высшее образование в Казахстане: достижения и перспективы роста [Higher education in Kazakhstan: Achievements and growth prospects]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://api.kipd.kz/storage/uploads/images/2025/01/09/Education%20RUS_1736409271.pdfKazakhstan Institute of Public Development. (2024). Высшее образование в Казахстане: достижения и перспективы роста [Higher education in Kazakhstan: Achievements and growth prospects]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://api.kipd.kz/storage/uploads/images/2025/01/09/Education%20RUS_1736409271.pdfKong, D., Zhang, B., & Zhang, J. (2022). Higher education and corporate innovation. Journal of Corporate Finance, 72, 102165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorp-fin.2022.102165Kong, D., Zhang, B., & Zhang, J. (2022). Higher education and corporate innovation. Journal of Corporate Finance, 72, 102165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcorp-fin.2022.102165Marginson, S. (2022). Research on international and global higher education: Six different perspectives. Oxford Review of Education, 48(4, Special Issue), 421-438. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2022.2087619Marginson, S. (2022). Research on international and global higher education: Six different perspectives. Oxford Review of Education, 48(4, Special Issue), 421-438. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2022.2087619OECD. (2024). Education at a glance 2024: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/education-at-a-glance-2024_c00cad36-en.htmlOECD. (2024). Education at a glance 2024: OECD indicators. OECD Publishing. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/education-at-a-glance-2024_c00cad36-en.htmlReichert, S. (2019). EUA study: The role of universities in regional innovation ecosystems. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.eua.eu/images/pdf/eua_innovation_ecosystem_report.pdfReichert, S. (2019). EUA study: The role of universities in regional innovation ecosystems. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://www.eua.eu/images/pdf/eua_innovation_ecosystem_report.pdfSun, X., Li, H., & Ghosal, V. (2019). Firm-level human capital and innovation: Evidence from China. China Economic Review, 59, 101388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2019.101388Sun, X., Li, H., & Ghosal, V. (2019). Firm-level human capital and innovation: Evidence from China. China Economic Review, 59, 101388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2019.101388Trinh, N. T. H. (2023). Higher education and its role for national development: A research agenda with bibliometric analysis. Interchange, 54(2), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-023-09493-9Trinh, N. T. H. (2023). Higher education and its role for national development: A research agenda with bibliometric analysis. Interchange, 54(2), 125–143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10780-023-09493-9Tsinovkina, L. (2022). Инновации в образовании [Innovations in education]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://standard.kz/ru/post/innovacii-v-obrazovaniiTsinovkina, L. (2022). Инновации в образовании [Innovations in education]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://standard.kz/ru/post/innovacii-v-obrazovaniiUNECE. (2023). R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP (%). Retrieved from https://w3.unece.org/SDG/ru/Indicator?id=123UNECE. (2023). R&D expenditure as a percentage of GDP (%). Retrieved from https://w3.unece.org/SDG/ru/Indicator?id=123Vaigorova, L. (2024). Инновации и рост в высшем образовании в эпоху [Innovation and growth in higher education in the era of AI]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://forbes.kz/blogs/innovatsii-i-rost-v-vysshem-obrazovanii-v-epohu-ii-8e3b28Vaigorova, L. (2024). Инновации и рост в высшем образовании в эпоху [Innovation and growth in higher education in the era of AI]. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://forbes.kz/blogs/innovatsii-i-rost-v-vysshem-obrazovanii-v-epohu-ii-8e3b28Wang, N., Ren, Z., Zhang, Z., & Fu, J. (2022). Evaluation and prediction of higher education system based on AHP-TOPSIS and LSTM neural network. Applied Sciences, 12(10), 4987. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12104987Wang, N., Ren, Z., Zhang, Z., & Fu, J. (2022). Evaluation and prediction of higher education system based on AHP-TOPSIS and LSTM neural network. Applied Sciences, 12(10), 4987. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12104987WIPO. (2022). Global Innovation Index 2022: What is the future of innovation-driven growth? Geneva, Switzerland: WIPO. https://doi.org/10.34667/tind.46596WIPO. (2022). Global Innovation Index 2022: What is the future of innovation-driven growth? Geneva, Switzerland: WIPO. https://doi.org/10.34667/tind.46596Woo, J. J. (2024). Higher education and economic development: Innovation. In Singapore’s policy designs for higher education and economic development (pp. 79–98). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1239-0_5Woo, J. J. (2024). Higher education and economic development: Innovation. In Singapore’s policy designs for higher education and economic development (pp. 79–98). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-1239-0_5World Population Review. (2024). Most educated countries 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/education-rankings-by-countryWorld Population Review. (2024). Most educated countries 2024. Retrieved December 10, 2024, from https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/education-rankings-by-countryWu, N., & Liu, Z. (2021). Higher education development, technological innovation and industrial structure upgrade. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 162, 120400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tech-fore.2020.120400Wu, N., & Liu, Z. (2021). Higher education development, technological innovation and industrial structure upgrade. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 162, 120400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tech-fore.2020.120400

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest present.