Смысл и ценность высшего образования в условиях трансформации казахстанского общества

Abstract

The article examines changes in the perception of the meaning and value of higher education amid the socio-cultural and economic transformation of Kazakhstani society. The study addresses the shift from understand-ing higher education as an institution shaping personality, worldview and intellectual culture toward an in-strumental model focused on professional competencies and labor market demands. The aim is to analyze thevalue orientations of students, academic staff and employers in the RK. The scientific novelty lies in identify-ing the transition from diploma-oriented education to the pragmatic acquisition of applied and flexible com-petencies, including soft skills. The methodology is based on data triangulation, combining a systematic anal-ysis of Kazakhstan’s regulatory and legal framework with a questionnaire survey of three key stakeholdergroups. The findings reveal a mismatch between university training and labor market requirements, alongsidestudents’ growing dependence on digital technologies. Although digitalization enhances educational efficien-cy, excessive reliance on artificial intelligence may weaken independent and critical thinking. The study rec-ommends updating educational programs in accordance with employers’ expectations, strengthening practice-oriented learning, expanding cooperation between higher education institutions and industry, and promotingresponsible AI use. These measures can improve graduate training quality and enhance future professionals’competitiveness in the labor market