On August 29, Akmaral Karabay, a recent PhD graduate from Nazarbayev University’s Graduate School of Education, delivered an insightful presentation titled “The Enactment of English Medium Instruction (EMI) Policy in State and National Universities in Kazakhstan: A Multi-Level, Multi-Actor Perspective.”
As universities around the world embrace internationalization, the adoption of EMI has been growing rapidly in non-English speaking countries. In Kazakhstan, this shift is driven by various governmental initiatives aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of its higher education institutions. Akmaral’s study focused on the interpretation and enactment of EMI policy at two Kazakhstani universities—a state and a national university.
Her presentation specifically highlighted how different stakeholders at various levels of governance interpret EMI policy, revealing the diverse practices that emerge due to the policy’s top-down nature and its often ambiguous articulation. By shedding light on these interpretations, Akmaral facilitated a deep discussion on the challenges and opportunities that EMI presents within the broader context of higher education policy in Kazakhstan.
Akmaral Karabay specializes in Higher Education, Policy Enactment, and Language Policy and has contributed valuable insights into the intersection of policy and practice in Kazakhstani higher education.
