Cross-cultural comparison of higher education in Kazakhstan and South Korea

Abstract

The importance of human capital in economic growth is undeniable. Among all of the investments of human capital, investment in education is very vital for the economic growth process. Achievements in education directly depend on how the government performs the policies which promote the attainment of the system. The study aims to critically investigate two higher education systems of developed and developing countries through an analysis of socio-cultural and historical perspectives. At the end of World War II, among the poorest countries in East Asia, South Korea was one of them after they have been a Japanese colony and have ruined as a result of the Korean War. Comparison with Kazakhstan was also reasonable since they also have been under the rule of another country, have experienced famine, war, and its consequences. This study involved a questionnaire with about 20 questions and several interviews. Overall, there are three groups of people who participate in this study. Three groups divided into sub-groups consist of students, professors, and stakeholders from both countries South Korea and Kazakhstan. Besides conducting a questionnaire and interview, analysis of the curriculum of classes from each country is part of the methodology too. As a result of this study, it is expected to identify two countries’ different perspectives towards education where South Korean values of acquiring higher education are higher than Kazakhstan. Despite the two countries' level of development from each side, people's satisfaction towards the higher education system’s work is the same and requires changes.