Bureau of National Statistics
of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan
As part of the modernization of the national statistical system, the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter – the BNS) is implementing a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening analytical capacity, developing a data culture, and expanding access to statistical information. One of the key areas is the development of human resources and the formation of sustainable interaction with the academic community.
To achieve this goal, as well as to promote the professional attractiveness of the industry to ensure qualified personnel, since 2022 the BNS has been closely interacting with universities. The legal basis for interaction is memoranda of cooperation. To date, memoranda have been signed with a number of leading universities in Kazakhstan, including:
This partnership promotes the integration of academic knowledge and practical experience of official statistics, as well as improving the quality of training of specialists in the field of data analysis and statistics.
In this regard, an important area of BNS activity is the development of a data culture and increasing the level of data literacy. To this end, the Data Literacy initiative is being implemented on the open educational platform Data Literacy HUB, which hosts online courses on statistics, data analysis and management. Partner universities make a significant contribution to the development of educational initiatives. One of the key partners is Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, which has significant scientific and educational potential in the field of data analysis and statistics. With the support of KazNU, the production of educational videos on the methodology of statistical indicators and the practical application of official data was organized.
One of the huge areas of cooperation is the involvement of the academic community in research activities in the field of statistics and data analysis. For this purpose, the BNS forms a list of priority research topics, and provides methodological support to students, master's students and doctoral students. BNS employees act as scientific consultants, providing methodological support in the use of statistical data and the preparation of scientific publications.
An important example of educational cooperation is the launch of the master's program «Statistics and Data Management in the Modern Economy» at the Lomonosov Moscow State University (Kazakhstan Branch). The joint project is aimed at training highly qualified personnel in the field of statistics and data management, which is a key aspect for the development and strengthening of human resources. Within the framework of this program, 28 BNS employees are studying on educational grants.
The practical contribution of BNS specialists to the strengthen the educational programs is also the development and implementation of the applied training module «Methodology and Analysis of Statistical Indicators». The course is adapted to the educational program of Lomonosov Moscow State University, based on real cases of official statistics formation and demonstrates the application of statistical data in management decision-making. Experienced BNS employees with considerable field experience in sectoral statistics participate in the implementation of the course. The course was first delivered in 2023 and continues successfully.
The result of interaction with universities is also the participation of students in international educational and scientific events. Thus, on the recommendation of the BNS, teams of partner universities take part in the International Student Olympiad in Statistics, organized by the Interstate Statistical Committee of the CIS. Students from Kazakhstani universities regularly win prizes, which confirms the high level of training and the effectiveness of joint work between the academic environment and the BNS.
In addition, BNS specialists regularly conduct guest lectures and participate in educational events of universities, including the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and other training platforms. This format of collaboration allows integrating the practical experience of official statistics into the educational process.
The cooperation of the BNS with universities is systemic and long-term in nature, contributing to the development and solution of the task.
