ASTANA – President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on July 1 signed a law “On introducing amendments and additions to some legislative acts of Kazakhstan on issues of science and technology policy, use of platforms and state control,” Akorda reported.
Photo credit: zakon.kz
The new law outlines mechanisms for advancing Kazakhstan’s national science system, defines entities engaged in scientific activity and their rights, establishes the legal status of the National Academy of Sciences, specifies in detail the functions of the Science Foundation, and lays down mechanisms for financing scientific activity.
The law aims to address strategic, professional and social issues in scientific activity by filling legal gaps, creating conditions for the development of scientific human resources, implementing guarantees of social protection for scientists and introducing corporate governance.
Kazakhstan’s science and technology policy will be based on the experience of developed countries and will focus on improving the national level of scientific and technological innovation, narrowing the innovation gap with global technological leaders, and absorbing new external information for commercial use by Kazakhstani enterprises.
To incentivize scientists, the law includes provisions for purchasing housing and improving living conditions through a joint program of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan and Otobashi Bank, in line with President Tokayev’s instructions.
The Law is expected to contribute to the implementation of scientific development and technological policies, ensure the country’s competitiveness through the effective application of scientific achievements, and enhance inter-sectoral coordination of scientific, technological and innovation activities.
