MOOCs in Kazakhstan: internationalization and digitization of higher education

Abstract

There is a shortage of data in about the role massive open online courses (MOOCs) play in internationalizing the sphere of higher education in Kazakhstan. This paper aims to explore the ways Open University Kazakhstan (OpenU), the country’s first online university, is using MOOCs to foster internationalization within the “Digital Kazakhstan” policy initiative. The case of OpenU has been carefully studied by means of interviews and written reflections with the university team, and the results of this research indicate that the OpenU can be considered a pioneer university of MOOC introduction in Kazakhstan. By gaining awareness of issues related to MOOC integration and by taking well-educated actions forward, higher education institutions (HEIs) will be able to promote Kazakhstani educational programs, which are taught online by locally experienced professors to students around the world. Consequently, it will likely attract more international students by creating new online students’ mobility programs. This exploratory study highlights the potential benefits and drawbacks of this trend, which is situated at the intersection of economics, education, technology and language development in Kazakhstan.