UNESCO-ICHEI Joined Central Asia Dialogue on Qualification Recognition
2026.06.22
On 17–18 June 2026, the Central Asia Regional Policy Dialogue on the Recognition of Higher Education Qualifications was held at Coventry University in Kazakhstan. The event was co‑organized by UNESCO and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, with support from the UNESCO–Republic of Korea Funds‑in‑Trust. As the first in‑person regional dialogue in Central Asia dedicated to higher education qualification recognition, the meeting brought together representatives from education authorities, higher education institutions, international organizations, and experts from Central Asian countries, Russia, China, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and other countries and regions. Participants discussed the establishment of a unified and efficient qualification recognition mechanism to accelerate higher education integration in Central Asia. Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO‑ICHEI, attended the Dialogue and delivered a thematic presentation.
Group photo of participants
Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan; Ms. Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan; Mr. Kyuho Shin, Minister‑Counselor of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan; Ms. Zhanar Shaimenova, Secretary‑General of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO; and Mr. Miras Daulenov, President of Coventry University Kazakhstan, delivered opening remarks. Speakers from government, international organizations, and higher education institutions emphasized the importance of establishing a unified system for recognizing academic degrees and professional qualifications to promote educational cooperation and talent mobility across Central Asia, while enhancing the region’s global competitiveness in higher education. They also shared relevant policies, initiatives, and practical experiences. Minister Nurbek highlighted Kazakhstan’s strategic planning and recent reforms in the field of artificial intelligence. Throughout the meeting, participants engaged in in‑depth discussions on topics including the development of National Information Centres (NICs), alignment of quality assurance systems, digital credential authentication, and recognition mechanisms for micro‑credentials.
Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan
Ms. Sarangoo Radnaaragchaa, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan
Mr. Kyuho Shin, Minister‑Counselor of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan
Ms. Zhanar Shaimenova, Secretary‑General of the National Commission of Kazakhstan for UNESCO and ICESCO
Mr. Miras Daulenov, President of Coventry University Kazakhstan
During her thematic presentation, Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, provided a comprehensive overview of the global implementation progress of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Micro‑Certification Programme. She highlighted how the initiative, through industry–academia collaboration and localized implementation by partner universities, is advancing certification practices for this emerging learning modality. She emphasized that the Micro‑Certification Programme is effectively enhancing the digital and AI competencies of higher education professionals, promoting the co‑creation and sharing of quality educational resources, and providing strong support for AI industry talent development.
Ms. BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO‑ICHEI
