Educational Innovation and Transformation (CARCEIT)
by enabling the development and distribution of
educational research throughout
Central Asia.
The CARCEIT was established using the best traditions and experience of research administration at Nazarbayev University, while also incorporating the latest international trends. Research administration is fully dedicated to supporting and accompanying all initiatives equally, for both research projects and residents of CARCEIT. Building upon the foundation of research, teaching, policy advice, professional development, and networks meticulously developed by GSE over the past decade, the aims of CARCEIT are:
- To establish an international research hub to facilitate the creation and dissemination of educational research knowledge across Central Asia.
- To contribute to research-informed innovation in education policy and practice in Kazakhstan and the region.
- To promote the development of national and regional networks, systems, and capabilities for education research and the education system as a whole.
The implementation of CARCEIT is regulated by:
- Amendments to the Rules of Internal Grant Financing dated May 27, 2015.
- Caps & Limits to the Rules of Internal Grant Financing dated May 27, 2015.
- Bylaws of the ESIK Committee of the Autonomous Organization of Education 'Nazarbayev University' dated August 08, 2017.
- Institutional Research Ethics Committee Handbook dated November 22, 2017.
Established on November 15, 2022, the Induction for CARCEIT took place on May 4th, 2023. This event provided an essential introduction and orientation for the launch of the Center, presenting exciting prospects and expectations for all stakeholders. This event was also attended by NU leadership, including the the Provost and Acting President, Dr. Ilesanmi Adesida, who gave his warm congratulatory remarks and best regards during the center’s launch.
CARCEIT's mission transcends traditional research, with the primary objective to catalyze innovative transformations in educational policy and practice. CARCEIT aims to initiate revolutionary changes in educational approaches, not only within Kazakhstan but across the entire region.
to make an impact in five key areas:
- 1Contribution to Global Knowledge and Theory:CARCEIT’s projects contribute to global education knowledge and theory through international publications, conferences, workshops, and debates.
- 2Education Policy:CARCEIT engages with policymakers to influence education policies development, ensuring accessibility to research findings in preferred languages to foster networks and consultations.
- 3Educational Leadership:The center serves as a forum for innovation in educational leadership by involving policy makers, education leaders, and alumni in research-informed initiatives.
- 4Education Practice:CARCEIT’s research projects generate insights for education practices and facilitate connections among education practitioners, encouraging discussions and initiatives for improvement.
- 5Development of a Regional Education Research Community and Culture:CARCEIT strives to build networks and capabilities for rigorous, inclusive, and culturally relevant education research development at both national and regional levels.
Key Areas of Research
CARCEIT initiated funding for nine research projects across three key areas in 2023.
In 2024, three more research projects have been introduced, bringing the total to twelve.
- International Collaborative Education Project (ICEP)ICEP is a three-year grant that funds international research collaboration of high intellectual merit, bringing significant new knowledge and societal impact to Kazakhstan in the field of education.
- Educational Innovation and Transformation Project (EITP)EITP funds two or three years education research projects of high intellectual merit that deliver significant new knowledge and societal impact to Kazakhstan in the field of education. These projects may be done in collaboration with researchers in other universities in Kazakhstan and other countries, or independently.
- Education Impact Projects (EIP)EIP is an education project with a strong research foundation that directly impacts education policy and practice. One of the distinctive features of EIP is its short-term nature, lasting for 9 months. These projects are exclusively undertaken by NU alumni who are actively working in educational settings. They provide an opportunity for alumni to reconnect with research by leading a project alongside NU GSE faculty serving as their mentors. These projects can be carried out by individual alumni, groups of alumni, or in partnership with non-alumni colleagues.
- 2023/EIP1: The Impact of Socio-economic Factors on Parental Knowledge and Engagement in Early Intervention
- 2023/EIP2: Exploring STEM Students’ International Mobility in Kazakhstan
- 2023/EIP3: The Impact of Orientation Programs on First-Year Students’ Academic Performance
- 2023/EIP4: Academic Promotion and Remuneration Policies at Private Higher Education Institutions in Kazakhstan
- 2024/EIP1: Visualizing Success using AI-generated images: Unveiling Challenges and Success Strategies of Undergraduate Women in IT Degrees
- 2024/EIP2: Changing Academic Profession in Kazakhstan: Examining Faculty’s Research Performativity and Accountability in the Post-Socialist Context of Higher Education
- 2024/EIP3: Students’ Transition and Navigation of Language, Identity and Culture in Academic Texts: Exploring Systemic Functional Linguistics and Bourdieu
Professor Naureen DurraniDirector of CARCEIT
Peter Shon, Ph.D.Communication Officer
Laura Ibrayeva, Ph.D.Post-doctoral Research Fellow
Adil AshirbekovSenior Research Manager
Assylzat ZholdybekovaResearch Manager
Central Asian Research Centre for Educational Innovation and Transformation (CARCEIT)
Nazarbayev University
53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave.
Astana, Kazakhstan, 010000
Email: carceit@nu.edu.kz
