The world is a different place these days as COVID-19 spreads its wings in all directions (officially reaching Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan by the time of writing on March 18). When we look back on these unusual times, I think we will see that coronavirus achieved what no politician, activist, or movement has yet managed …
Tag: youth
Youth unemployment in Kazakhstan
The blog is back for another year! 2020 represents my ninth year of blogging on education, society and politics in Central Asia. Over the lifetime of the blog, I've posted almost 300 stories that have been viewed over 50,000 times and earned nearly 1,500 subscribers. Thanks to everyone who reads the blog, whether occasionally or …
Growing gaps in Kazakh society?
Sorry for the silence from this blog. Firstly, there hasn't been much happening in Central Asian HE (or not that I have seen) - no high heels scandals this month! Secondly, we're in the summer term at the University where I work and that means exams, panicking students, organising everything for next year and generally …
Youth and Public Policy in Kyrgyzstan
A report has been published [en] [ru] today which for the first time attempts to undertake an audit of the relationship between young people and public policy in contemporary Kyrgyzstan. Whilst I haven't been able to read it in full, it looks like a sincere and thorough attempt to map the landscape, highlight weaknesses (many, …
Tajik higher education: dress smart and pay up
Hello! Long time, no see... It's been an eventful summer with the events in Khorog, Tajikistan causing us great concern and anxiety. Life appears to be normalising again and I do hope the current calm prevails. On the home front I have been elected Chair of the Governing Body at our local primary school and …
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Modern day Kazakhs: young, uncertain and ‘lazy’?
Tengri News today reports on a study in which a group of experts have tried to come up with an illustration of the modern day Kazakh. The group make some interesting assertions, focussing on young people in their depictions. Here's the article reposted in full: Psychologists, economists and financial experts have attempted to create a …
Continue reading Modern day Kazakhs: young, uncertain and ‘lazy’?