September 2010|1 - KazEnergy

prOfESSiONal
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tional program. Its future projects will assume
greater involvement of future specialists in science,
and offer broader opportunities for identifying
innovative, breakthrough ideas that are
useful for the development of Kazakhstan’s
economy.
We have already started gathering information
on innovative research, specifically projects
relevant to the oil-gas and energy industries.
In this case, the Association will rely, as before,
on open competitions. Candidates who qualify
to apply for our scholarships and grants are
registered students, graduate students, undergraduates,
doctoral students, researchers,
university professors and industry employees
with scientific interests.
– Why do colleges, professional schools
and universities in Kazakhstan
experience diffculties in competing with
their foreign counterparts?
– The reason for this is that they have long
been separated from enterprises, closed to the
outside world, and disengaged from applied
research. It is business that connects academic,
research and business activities. Educational
institutions still lack stable ties with customers
and clients of educational services. KAZEN-
ERGY Educational program aims to meet the
precise challenges of creating these ties: to enable
professional schools, colleges, and higher
education institutions to “break through” to
the innovative economy, to modern technologies
of education and science.
“gOlD STaNDarD” Of ThE prOfESSiON
– In oil companies with foreign participation,
conflicts frequently arise from the fact
that Kazakhstani employees feel undervalued
in comparison with foreigners,
who refer disparagingly to differences in
qualifications. Do you think this situation
will change once Kazakhstan’s industrial
and innovative development is assisted
by its own personnel? And how it should
change?
– In my opinion, this is a bilateral process. On
the one hand, the salaries of Kazakhstani and
foreign employees occupying the same position
should be adjusted. As one way of solving
this problem, the Association organizes internships
for Kazakhstani personnel in foreign
companies.
The difference between salaries and qualifications
is only the “visible” aspect of the issue.
The real reason lies elsewhere, in the vacuum
between the educational system and real
economy - that is, the discrepancy between
educational standards and the requirements
of employers. There is no system of professional
standards, no National Qualification
System to build a bridge between theory and
practice. The absence of a National Qualification
System - the system that assesses professional
qualifications – disguises the changes
ThE abSENCE Of a NaTiONal qualifiCaTiON
SySTEm - ThE SySTEm ThaT aSSESSES
prOfESSiONal qualifiCaTiONS – DiSguiSES
ThE ChaNgES ThaT havE OCCurrED iN thE
NAtuRE of pRofEssioNs duRiNG thE YEARs of
iNdEpENdENcE.
that have occurred in the nature of professions
during the years of independence. Some jobs
have become obsolete, while others have appeared.
Both the ownership structure, and
what is expected and required of employees
have changed. Production has become much
more technologically advanced and innovative
than it was 10-20 years ago. And in order
to ensure that our personnel meet the industrial-innovative
development of the country,
we should be aware of their real readiness for
change.
It is generally acknowledged nowadays that
NQS is necessary. An example of this is the
establishment of a Working group composed
of representatives of the Ministry of Education
and Science, the Ministry of Labour and Social
Protection, “Atameken” National Economic
Chamber, and EU experts.
– In turn, the question arises: who should
certify employees’ qualifications to ensure
an objective, fair and generally accepted
result?
– The certification of specialists is also one of
the main elements of the National Qualification
System. In my opinion, the certification should
take place in specialized industry centers under
the jurisdiction of organizations similar to
our Association, where employers are able to
participate in the development of assignments
and in the work of qualifications commissions
as independent experts.