STRATEGIC PLANNING IN UNIVERSITIES OF KAZAKHSTAN IN THE POST-PANDEMIC PERIOD

The purpose of the research – This research aims to study the practices of strategy development in public and private universities in Kazakhstan and develop recommendations for their improvement. Particular attention is paid to the strategy development process, stakeholder engagement, the impact of the pandemic, as well as issues of well-being and digitalization.

Methodology – Semi-structured face-to-face and online interviews were used as a collection method. The researchers conducted 7 semi-structured interviews with senior or middle managers who participated or are involved in the development of the strategy (rector, vice-rector, head of the department), as well as an analysis of strategic documents.

Originality / value of the research – There are many studies in the scientific literature on the impact of the pandemic on various processes in higher education, but the impact on the strategic planning process, taking into account digitalization and the well-being of students and staff, is poorly studied. This study fills this gap, and also shows practices and difficulties in strategic planning at universities in Kazakhstan.

Findings – In the process of strategic planning, there is a top-down approach, with low involvement of stakeholders. In public universities, the dominant role is played by key performance indicators (KPIs), released by the EOM, turning strategies into a plan to achieve these KPIs. The pandemic has prompted universities to take a strategic approach to digitalization, but well-being issues are not taken into account in the planning process.

1. Zaki B.L. New development: Strategic planning in interesting times—From inter-crisis to intra-crisis responses // Public Money Manag. Routledge, 2023. Vol. 43, № 5. P. 521–524.

2. Machado, M. D. L., & Taylor, J. S. (2010). The struggle for strategic planning in European higher education: the case of Portugal. Research in higher education journal.

3. Machado M.D.L., Farhangmehr M., Taylor J.S. The Status of Strategic Planning in Portuguese Higher Education Institutions: Trappings or Substance? // High. Educ. Policy. 2004. Vol. 17, № 4. P. 383–404.

4. Zechlin, L. (2010). Strategic planning in higher education. International encyclopedia of education, 4, 256-263.

5. Immordino, K. M., Gigliotti, R. A., Ruben, B. D., & Tromp, S. (2016). Evaluating the impact of strategic planning in higher education. Educational Planning, 23(1), 35-47.

6. Kettunen J. Strategy Process in Higher Education // J. Institutional Res. 2010. Vol. 15, № 1. P. 16–27.

7. Sirat M.B. Strategic planning directions of Malaysia’s higher education: university autonomy in the midst of political uncertainties // High. Educ. 2010. Vol. 59, № 4. P. 461–473.

8. Hu J. et al. Strategic planning and the stratification of Chinese higher education institutions // Int. J. Educ. Dev. 2018. Vol. 63. P. 36–43.

9. Nurakynova S. Medical education governance based on strategic planning: An example of Kazakhstan medical universities // Int. J. Health Gov. 2018. Vol. 23, № 3. P. 216–225.

10. Gordon, G., & Fischer, M. (2015). Strategic Planning in Public Higher Education: Management Tool or Publicity Platform?. Educational Planning, 22(3), 5-17.

11. Hassanien M. Strategic Planning in Higher Education, a Need for Innovative Model // J. Educ. Soc. Behav. Sci. 2017. Vol. 23, № 2. P. 1–11.

12. Falqueto J.M.Z. et al. Strategic planning in higher education institutions: what are the stakeholders’ roles in the process? // High. Educ. 2020. Vol. 79, № 6. P. 1039–1056.

13. Eremenko, I. (2022). Strategic Response in Regional Comprehensive Universities: The Influence of the Environment in Higher Education (Doctoral dissertation, University of Pennsylvania).

14. Letizia A. Using Strategic Planning to Create the Public Good for Higher Education in Volatile Times. 2017. Vol. 13, № 2. P. 144–164.

15. Vivek R. Sustainable Strategic Management for Online Platforms in Higher Education: Practices and Challenges // Malays. E Commer. J. 2022. Vol. 6, № 1. P. 29–35.

16. Duignan C. et al. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on an Integrated Approach to Embedding Wellbeing in Higher Education // Education and New Developments 2022 – Volume 2. inScience Press, 2022. P. 129–133.

17. Ohadomere O., Ogamba I.K. Management-led interventions for workplace stress and mental health of academic staff in higher education: a systematic review // J. Ment. Health Train. Educ. Pract. 2021. Vol. 16, № 1. P. 67–82.

18. Lemoine P.A., Richardson M.D. Planning for Higher Education Institutions: Chaos and the Covid-19 Pandemic. 2020. Vol. 27, № 3.

19. Kuzu Ö.H. Digital Transformation in Higher Education: A Case Study on Strategic Plans // Vysshee Obraz. V Ross. High. Educ. Russ. 2020. Vol. 29, № 3. P. 9–23.

20. Øvrelid, E., Grøttum, P., & Westbye, H. (2020). Digital strategies in higher education: A comparative study of digitalisation at law and medicine. European Journal for Higher Education IT.