Purpose of the research is to determine the role of small and medium-sized businesses in the national economy during the crisis, as well as suggest ways of its development.
   Methodology. In the course of the study, an economic analysis of the activities of small and medium-sized businesses was carried out on the basis of offi cial data using the economic and statistical method.
   Originality / value. The study examines the role of small and medium-sized businesses in the national economy in conditions of economic instability caused by internal and external factors. The objective need for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, especially in the context of a geopolitical confl ict, is revealed. The classifi cation of business entities is systematized and a comparative assessment of foreign experience is considered. In addition, the main indicators determining the role of small and medium-sized businesses in the national economy are calculated and analyzed, conclusions and suggestions are made based on the analysis.
   Findings. Based on the results of the study and analysis, the main conclusions were drawn that determine the essence and role of small and medium-sized businesses in the system of the national economy. As a result of vertical and horizontal analysis of small and medium-sized businesses, their potential, features and development prospects were identifi ed. Conclusions and recommendations for the development of small and medium-sized businesses have been developed.

   The purpose of the research is to identify the role of digitalization in the development of the quality of labor resources based on an analysis of current research on the labor market and the results of the implementation of the Digital Kazakhstan program, as well as to identify areas for improving the quality of training of labor resources through the development of digital skills.
   Methodology. In the course of the study, the rationale for the recommendations was carried out using the methods of system analysis, comparison and grouping, general methods of scientifi c knowledge.
   The originality / value of the study lies in the fact that without the qualitative development of human resources, the country will not be able to achieve sustainable economic growth. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the use of digital technologies in the formation of the required quality of labor resources. The article provides an analysis of the eff ectiveness of human capital, notes the shortcomings and problems of developing the quality of labor resources at the present time.

   Findings. The authors propose the main directions for improving the quality of labor resources. In particular, the training of specialists, which should be carried out taking into an account of new requirements through the development of digital skills.

   Purpose of the research. The aim of the study is to study current trends in the development of corporate social responsibility (CSR), to determine its signifi cance and role in the formation and improvement of the competitiveness of industrial enterprises in the context of constantly increasing global competition.
   Methodology. To study the problem of social responsibility of industrial enterprises, work was carried out on a review of scientifi c and journalistic literature, analysis of statistical data, which led to the use of such classical research methods as the method of collecting information, empirical and statistical methods.
   Originality / value of the research. The application of sustainable measures to develop social responsibility in the practice of managing engineering enterprises is essential to ensure competitive advantages in a strategic perspective. In this regard, the analysis and adaptation of new approaches to CSR management, taking into account modern factors for strengthening the competitive advantages of enterprises and analyzing the interaction of production potential and CSR mechanisms, is a necessary condition for ensuring the competitiveness of mechanical engineering enterprises, which determines the value of this study.
   Findings. The article discusses the problems of CSR as a component of the management system for the strategic development of industrial enterprises, shows the role of CSR in the formation of the competitive advantages of large enterprises in a modern market economy. The main problems of the development of the social sphere in the context of increasing competition and increasing social responsibility of domestic industrial enterprises have been identifi ed. It is shown that the development of CSR is one of the most important conditions for the successful development of a model of a socially-oriented market in Kazakhstan, and fully complies with the program for the implementation of anti-crisis measures taken as part of the fi ght against the SARS-COVID-2019 pandemic. As a result of the study, the main directions of CSR development and its infl uence on the formation of the competitive advantages of industrial enterprises were determined.

   Purpose of the research. This article is aimed to study the world experience in the application of project management and its approaches in the fi eld of education and in the system of dual education in the Republic of Kazakhstan too. The rapidly developing technologies of the labor market are tightening the requirements for young professionals, so the authors propose to consider new management approaches that will help educational organizations train highly qualifi ed personnel, so necessary for the labor market. The proposed approaches (predictive, adaptive and hybrid) include a set of project management techniques and methodologies that have the potential to solve all necessary organizational issues.
   Methodology. The research methodology was implemented through a literature review of scientifi c articles, according to the following keywords: «project management in education», «waterfall approach in education», «Agile in education» and «hybrid approach in education».

   Originality / value of the research. The relevance of the research topic lies in the potential for solving the social problem associated with youth unemployment in the Republic of Kazakhstan among the NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) generation. The originality of the research is confi rmed and substantiated by a small number of scientifi c studies and articles that reveal the use of project management to organize the educational process, especially in the process of organizing a system of dual education in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
   Findings. The results of the article are the authors' recommendations on the application of the necessary and appropriate project management approaches at certain stages of the implementation of dual training for its effective development in the country.

   The purpose of the article is to study innovative trends in the development of the global education system and the possibility of their implementation in Kazakhstan.
   Methodology. The authors used the methods of systematic, abstract, comparative research, analysis of quantitative data. The information base of the research is the National Bureau of Statistics and other offi cial sources of information, data on the results of previous research.
   The originality / value of the study. The actual problems of the development of the system of higher education in Kazakhstan and the possibility of applying the experience of foreign countries to solve them are determined.
   Findings. Recommendations have been developed to promote the innovative development of the higher education system of Kazakhstan based on the experience of foreign countries.

   This article examines the legal and organizational issues of the role of universities in the development of regions.
   The purpose of the study is to determine the models of cooperation between universities in the development of regions.
   Methodology. In the course of the study, logical and formal-legal methods of analysis of individual regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan were used. The legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan regulating the issues of strategic planning, ownership of universities as legal entities, missions of universities and achievement of the stated goals, the organizational and legal form of universities, corporate governance bodies, requirements for members of the board of directors of universities were studied. Along with this, this study is based on international publications in the fi eld of higher education management, the place of development strategy in achieving sustainable development goals.
   Originality / value of research. We built our research on the analysis of the best universities in Kazakhstan according to the results of the IQAA-2020 ratings, since it was these universities that showed good practice of interaction with the regions. Along with this, the strengths and weaknesses of such interaction were identified to determine the further development path.
   Findings. The research has shown that many Kazakhstani universities do not quite clearly understand the role of universities in the development of regions and the performance of a social function. The lack of a clear understanding of the function assigned to the university by the society leads to the fact that universities do not see key priorities in such cooperation. The study made it possible to draw some conclusions and develop recommendations that are important for continuing eff orts in this direction. Universities should view this interaction as an important, strategic direction for their work and build on established practices.

   The purpose of the research is to study the survival strategies of small and medium-sized businesses within the framework of the state policy in conditions of uncertainty, including in crisis situations.
   Methodology. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to conduct this study. To analyze the state policy regarding small and medium-sized businesses and their adaptation to new conditions in Kazakhstan, this study uses the method of primary and secondary data research. The primary data were obtained during an online sociological survey among representatives of small and medium-sized businesses of the Karaganda region. The survey was conducted using the Google Forms tool, which was attended by 287 entrepreneurs of micro, small and medium-sized businesses. The purpose of the survey was to study measures of state support, the consequences of the pandemic and strategies for the survival of SMEs, as well as to assess the understanding of SMEs of state policy in relation to them. Secondary data are obtained from open sources:
statistical data of state bodies, international organizations. The advantages of the chosen research strategy are the possibility of conducting a comprehensive analysis of both the state strategy in relation to entrepreneurship and the adaptation of business in conditions of uncertainty.
   Originality / value of the research. Small and medium-sized businesses implement socially signifi cant functions for the economy. The results of this study can fi nd their application in the improvement and transformation of state policy in the fi eld of entrepreneurship support.
   Findings. Within the framework of this study, an analysis of the current situation of state policy in the field of entrepreneurship is presented. In the course of conducting a sociological survey among SMEs, the main di ffi culties  of doing business during the pandemic were identifi ed, as well as the main survival strategies within the framework of state policy were presented. Recommendations are given regarding the emphasis of the policy on encouraging and stimulating the introduction of digitalization of SMEs.

   The purpose of the study is to analyze and assess conditions for the development of fi nancial and economic foundations of local self-government in rural areas of Karaganda region.
   Methodology. The local community creates and adapts governance institutions and shapes policies and measures that contribute to the development of its region. Capacity building opportunities for local communities were determined by setting priorities for their development and access to resources and services, coordination of actions at the level of local government and higher state bodies.
   Originality / value of research. Fiscal capacity of the territory, calculated taking into account the funds of budgets of all levels of the budgetary system per capita looks so that the ratio of expenditures of budgets can vary signifi cantly in diff erent territories as well as the ratio of population groups whose income depends on these budgets due to the uneven location across the territory of the number of budgetary organizations, which are fi nanced by higher-level budgets.
   Findings. Despite signifi cant diff erences between the regions of the republic and in some cases the uniqueness of situations common to all regions is the nature of the links between the individual elements of the reproduction process, patterns of infl uence of the components on all parts of the process. The totality of these elements and their links forms the reproduction cycle. Therefore, the author considered the indicators characterizing the Karaganda region, where, as a hypothesis, the relationship between the resulting indicator of the GRP of agriculture and such factors as financial opportunities and the yield of grain and leguminous crops was proposed and proved. It was substantiated that the eff ectiveness of public administration is one of the conditions for ensuring sustainable soci o-economic development of the country and the region and improving the welfare of the population.

   The purpose of the paper examines the problem of regional development projects (RDP) in monotowns of Kazakhstan the case of Karagandy region through aims and indicators of implemented programs and projects in order to understand are applicable for these monotowns and its value.
   Methodology. With aim to better understanding the evolution and roots of ineffi ciency of RDP in Kazakhstan on base of Karagandy region monotowns it was adopted a comprehensive review of relevant literature, government programs and its indicators. The necessity of indicators revision and new approach based on project management principles (stakeholders and value) is suggested.
   Originality / value of the research. The paper reveals the current state and revealed the root of ineffi ciency of regional development programs in monotowns and ways of their decision. Usability of key objectives and indicators of regional development programs to single-industry towns of Karaganda region are considered.
   Findings. Government programs strongly emphasized the importance of mostly infrastructure projects however, the aim of the programs was to achieve economy diversity. In addition, there were a single indicators and methodology for all monotowns, which are not suitable for all of them. Government reports regarding the results of implemented projects showed only improvements on the power grid and water supply networks but studies and articles in the media state the low effi ciency and no impact and value for endusers of these programs and projects – local community.

   The purpose of this article is research of the impact of the global pandemic COVD-19 on the gold price in Kazakhstan.
   Research methodology. The authors used such methods to study the problem of general scientific methods and mathematical methods of cognition. The research was conducted by statistical methods, methods of analysis, modeling, as well as by comparison. Data were collected on the price of ounces of gold and the dollar index in Kazakhstan in 2017-2020, as well as the bottom data on the number of monthly infections with the coronavirus COVID-19 and the number of gold bars sold in Kazakhstan from January 2020 to December 2021.
   Originality / value of the research. The article analyzes the impact of the COVD-19 pandemic on the gold market, as well as makes an economic and statistical analysis of the price of gold and the number of gold bars sold. Changes in the price of gold over the past 5 years and the volume of gold sold have been determined. The results of correlation-regression analysis of the impact of gold prices on demand in the event of a crisis are shown.
   Findings. The authors concluded that the number of coronavirus infections caused by the pandemic caused a change in the price of gold. As a result of the correlation-regression analysis of the study, we found out that the growth of the coronavirus epidemic aff ected the high price of gold and the number of gold bars sold. Despite the high prices, we found that the demand for gold did not decrease.