The aim if the project is to provide a basis for consensus around a feasible model of university autonomy for Kazakhstan that can help to take decisions about what level of fiscal and academic autonomy that is desirable.
The objectives are:
- Analysis of the state of the play and need of university autonomy in Kazakhstan and
suggest/recommend a model of university governance. - To clearly define the roles of key stakeholders of academic governance.
- To engage the stakeholders in a more in-depth debate on autonomy and provide
institutional perspective on autonomy by involving the rectors, i.e. this project is offering a
bottom-up approach. - To contribute to a constructive discussion together with the Ministries, about the model of
governance to apply in Kazakh universities. - To implement on a pilot basis the model of autonomy.
- To establish a Consulting Group for assistance to universities implementing the governance
reform. - To disseminate the results and achievements of the project and the experiences gained by
the Partner universities and the Ministries.
For the achievement of the objectives, the TRUNAK project will:
- During the project preparation phase, perform a survey investigation among Kazakh
universities in order to find out the needs in the field of university autonomy in Kazakhstan. - Kazakh and EU partners will work together to analyze the results of the questionnaire.
- EU partners will present the models of autonomy applied in the country they work in, as
well as in other EU countries, to show the diversity of possible models. - Similarities and differences will be discussed as well as possible alternatives for increased
autonomy of the Kazakh universities.
Intermediate goals:
- Development of a basic model (included alternative models for special HE areas, for
example Medicine) of university autonomy. The description of the model should be
structured following the European University Association Autonomy Tool, i.e the four
autonomy areas of financing, academic, organisation and staffing freedom and the
indicators for each area. - Implementation in the partner universities. Experiences gained during the implementation
phase to be used later under the dissemination phase to other universities. - Development of information strategies for communication with the HEIs and stakeholders
of the proposed reforms. Outlining of a draft timetable for the introduction of the reform. - Formation of a reference group to ensure sustainability of the results. Creation of the
Autonomy Implementation Consulting Group. (AICG).