On June 19, 2025, Shakarim University was officially included in the QS World University Rankings 2026 — one of the most prestigious and influential global university rankings. This year, 8,467 universities from 106 countries were assessed, with 1,501 making the final list. Among them were 20 institutions from Kazakhstan, including three new entrants — and Shakarim University is proud to be one of them, entering the top 18% of the world’s best universities.
According to Sergey Khristolubov, Regional Director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds:
“Shakarim University demonstrated strong results in the following indicators:
- Share of international faculty
- Faculty-to-student ratio
- Employer reputation
Key areas for further growth include expanding publication activity in high-ranking journals, increasing international research collaboration, and enhancing global academic visibility.”
What’s behind this achievement?
Shakarim University’s entry into the global QS rankings is the result of a strategic transformation launched in 2023–2024:
Academic renewal: The share of young faculty and science-professors increased from 8% to 39% in just two years
Infrastructure modernization (widely covered previously)
Internationalization: 60 active agreements with universities from 37 countries, dual degree programs, threefold increase in international faculty
Scientific productivity: 700+ publications and over 2,200 citations in Scopus
Participation in key QS blocks: International Research Network, International Student Diversity, Research & Discovery, and others
A broader impact: Global recognition in sustainability
On June 18, 2025, just one day before the QS result, the university was also included for the first time in the THE Impact Rankings published by Times Higher Education, which assess universities’ contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Shakarim University was recognized for 13 of the 17 SDGs, reflecting real commitment to social, environmental, and inclusive development — from projects with rural schools and vulnerable communities to green campus initiatives and water system modernization.
Additional achievements include:
Rising 100 positions in QS Asia Rankings (now in the top 501–520 among 984 Asian universities)
Achieving 5 Stars in QS Stars Rating System in categories such as Education, Employability, Social Impact, and more
Ranking 662nd in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for ecological sustainability
Leading positions in QS Sustainability Rankings Central Asia:
- 1st in Environmental Research
- 3rd in Social Impact
Global Recognition with Local Relevance
The success of Shakarim University is deeply regional in nature. It demonstrates that world-class quality is achievable not only in capital cities but also in regional centers.
This was made possible through:
The launch of new Research and Graduate Schools (STEM, agrosciences, education, business, etc.)
New laboratories, international forums, and academic congresses
A landmark agreement with Xi’an Jiaotong University (China) to establish the International Laboratory for Electrical Automation, forming the nucleus of a transnational innovation model, where the university acts as a science, engineering, and human capital hub
What this means for Kazakhstan
Shakarim University is now one of the few regional Kazakhstani universities that has earned a place on the global academic map. This aligns with national goals of strengthening human capital, scientific sovereignty, and equal access to global opportunities.
The results of QS-2026 are not accidental — they are the product of systematic strategy, academic reform, and collective effort. It marks a new starting point for even greater ambitions.
