KAZAKHSTAN’S PRESIDENT URGES “INNOVATIVE REVOLUTION”

Astana, October 15: President Nursultan Nazarbayev congratulated the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi (one of the greatest scientists and philosophers of the Islamic world) on its 75th anniversary and delivered a lecture to students and professors.

The President analyzed possible post-crisis trends in the development of the world and Kazakhstan, and spoke of the need for an “innovative revolution” in Kazakhstan.

The President defined his vision in the following way…

1. TRANSFORMATION OF WORLD MONETARY SYSTEM

“One of the causes of the global crisis is the deficiency of the existing world monetary system. This system has not changed for 50 years and lags behind the world’s development. The outcome of the global crisis is the inevitable transition to new financial instruments. In the nearest future, a qualitatively new class of world regional currencies should be launched. This idea is being increasingly promoted - supported by politicians, public figures, scientists, including, the Nobel laureates, Edmund Phelps and Robert Mundell.

2. FORMATION OF A NEW GLOBAL ALIGNMENT

“The crisis has accelerated the process of transforming the world economy.

This process will be accompanied by the formation of real geopolitical multi-polarity in the world.”

3. TRANSITION TO ENERGY-EFFICIENT ECONOMY

“Today, most developed countries are moving towards safe, clean and inexhaustible development. One promising avenue is alternative, low-carbon energy. The development of energy efficiency will reduce the energy intensity of the global economy and, consequently, lead to progress and stability.”

4. ROLE & IMPORTANCE OF STATE IN ECONOMY

“The current crisis has forced many to think about the state’s role in the economy.

Market economy, protection of private property and the development of small businesses are the foundation of the Kazakh economy.

5. POST-CRISIS WORLD RELIES ON HUMAN CAPITAL

“Without significant investment in human capital no economy can thrive. Now our task is to change the attitudes of the people of Kazakhstan - especially our youth - towards education and intellect. We need to create a core of national intelligence; we need qualified people who can compete in the international arena. All this is reflected in the project ‘Intelligent Nation–2020’, which is built upon several different aspects: a breakthrough in the development of the education system of Kazakhstan and the development of the country’s capacity for science. Science should be the basis of any innovation economy. In 1990, our academic institutions were in distress. Since 2000, the situation has changed. Over the past five years alone, Kazakhstan's science funding increased almost four-fold and this year stands at 18.5 billion tenge. A State programme of science development until 2012 is underway. Because of this, Kazakhstan improved its place in the ranking of global competitiveness index (Innovative Development) by 13 positions. The last aspect of the ‘Intelligent Nation’ project is the promotion of innovation”

According to President Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan needs “an innovative revolution. In any dynamic society” he said, “innovation and creative behavior should dominate. All Kazakh companies - especially investors - should live up to the highest standards and allocate funds from their profits to innovation, research and training. A recently adopted Law ‘On state support of innovation’ will promote this development in Kazakhstan.”

The Kazakh National University after Al Farabi is rightly called a leading institution of higher education in Kazakhstan. It ranks first among Kazakh universities and won a Presidential award ‘For achievements in the field of quality.’ Training is conducted in more than 180 specialized areas in 14 faculties. The University employs more than 2000 highly qualified professionals. Its science infrastructure includes 20 research institutes and international scientific centers, which conduct half the research of the total carried out in the country’s universities.