A meeting of the academy department was held "Sciences of education and social development"
On January 29, 2026, a meeting of the "Sciences of Education and Social Development" department was held at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The meeting was attended by the department chair, honorary academician members, and representatives of the Academy's centers in both offline and online formats. The meeting was chaired by Academician Darkhan Bilyalov, department chair.
The key items on the agenda included: discussion and approval of the department's work plan for 2026, proposals for a Kazakhstani ranking of scientific journals, and the creation of a Coordination Council for the Social Sciences and Humanities and Arts.
During the discussion of the department's work plan for 2026, Honorary Academicians Alma Abylkasymova, Bolat Kumekov, Kenzhekhan Matyzhanov, Dikhan Kamzabekuly, Erden Kazhybekov, Dariya Kozhamzharova, and Ziyabek Kabyldin made important proposals for popularizing science, developing regional science, and improving the quality of international scientific publications. Also, in order to promote the values of "A Just Kazakhstan," proposals were made to hold scientific conferences on "Law and Order" at regional universities and to establish an expert group at the National Academy of Sciences.
Particular emphasis was placed on the plan of events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the National Academy of Sciences. It was proposed that the anniversary events be held in an expanded format of scientific forums and conferences aimed at integrating domestic science into the international scientific community.
Furthermore, issues related to developing cooperation in scientific research and innovation were discussed, including strengthening scientific and diplomatic ties between the Central Asian states and coordinating joint international research projects with the participation of foreign scientists in accordance with the department's core activities. Particular attention was paid to integrating the research results of young scientists.
During the meeting, Bolat Kenesov, Head of the Analytical Center for Scientific and Technological Development, delivered reports on the agenda items. His presentation included proposals for developing a Kazakhstani ranking of scientific journals.
It was noted that within the framework of the KOKSNSVO, scientific journal classification is based on expert evaluation. However, a number of systemic challenges remain, including the high workload of expert councils, a shortage of specialized specialists in certain areas, and the subjectivity and inertia of evaluation procedures.
To improve the quality and effectiveness of this work, a set of measures has been proposed. These include a preliminary analysis of scientometric indicators based on international experience, the involvement of foreign experts, the development of feedback with the scientific community and the Council of Scientific Editors, the automation of expert procedures through an information system, and the organization of continuous expert training. The implementation of these approaches is aimed at increasing the objectivity and transparency of scientific journal classification, as well as strengthening their quality and competitiveness.
On the third item on the agenda, Zhenisbek Tölen, Head of the Center for Educational Sciences and Social Development, presented a report discussing the creation of a Coordinating Council for the Social Sciences and Humanities and the organization of its activities. The Coordinating Scientific Council for the Social Sciences and Humanities and Arts is planned to be established as a permanent advisory body under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Its activities will be focused on the scientifically sound formulation of priorities and topics for social sciences and humanities research, the coordination of fundamental and applied research projects, and ensuring their alignment with strategic state objectives and public demand, taking into account international standards and current scientific trends. The Council is expected to unite leading scientists and experts across the country and will conduct expert assessments and scientific verification of program-targeted funding topics, develop unified methodological approaches in social sciences and humanities research, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, and prevent duplication of research topics. The Council's work will be organized on a regular basis, and its decisions will be advisory in nature and be used in shaping state scientific policy and making decisions on support for research projects.
Following the meeting, proposals were heard to change the name of the department and refine the work plan. It was decided to summarize and approve all the proposals received in accordance with the established procedure.