Contribution of Government Scholarship Recipients to the Development of Their Home Country

• In Event: Division L Roundtable Session 2

Abstract

This study explored how graduates of two Kazakhstani government scholarship programs view their contribution to their country’s socio-economic development. The study identified factors that support and hinder government scholarship recipients’ contribution to their home country development. Data from semi-structured interviews with 80 alumni suggest that participants of both programs are making numerous contributions to the cultural, social, and economic development of the country. Alumni are also introducing innovative systems and practices within their workplaces. Yet, their contributions are limited by significant contextual challenges, including an underdeveloped economy and a narrow labour market, bureaucratic governance and management systems, resistance to change and the clash of ideas between Soviet and post-Soviet generation.

Authors

• Dilrabo Jonbekova, Nazarbayev University

• Zakir Jumakulov

• Jason Sparks

• Alan Ruby, University of Pennsylvania