ASTANA – Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education has received the Coursera Learning Excellence Award 2026 for integrating international online education into the national higher education system and expanding digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills development.
Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education has received the Coursera Learning Excellence Award 2026. Photo credit: the ministry’s press service.
The award was presented at the London FWD event, which brought together education technology platforms Coursera and Udemy and key partners from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Other organizations recognized included consulting firm EY, British bank Nationwide and Italian technology company bIP. The event was led by Coursera Chief Executive Officer Greg Hart, the ministry reported on Nov. 6.
The award recognizes Kazakhstan’s progress in integrating international online courses into university curricula and developing digital competencies relevant to the modern economy.
More than 292,000 students earn Coursera certificates
Kazakhstan began its partnership with Coursera in 2022, making the initiative an important part of its higher education transformation.
Through the program, students have gained access to thousands of international online courses and professional certification programs offered by leading universities and industry partners.
More than 292,000 students have earned certificates, bringing the total to more than 682,000. Cumulative learning time has surpassed 5.35 million hours, and Kazakh universities have recognized 163,098 academic credits.
This year, the ministry allocated 38,184 Coursera licenses across 100 higher education institutions. More than 100 universities are integrating platform courses into their academic programs and recognizing online learning outcomes as part of formal education.
The latest award follows the 2025 recognition of Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, who received the Coursera Learning Hero Award.
The ministry continues to prioritize digital education, international partnerships and the development of skills needed in the modern labor market, including AI competencies and entrepreneurship.
