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Day: September 19, 2025
Family members of Celeste Rivas said they were “heartbroken and devastated.”
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Kazakhstan is rapidly establishing itself as a regional center for higher education, attracting students from around the world. The number of branches of foreign universities operating in the country is steadily increasing, complemented by a growing domestic academic base, especially in fields such as artificial intelligence. Today, Kazakhstan is viewed as a viable regional alternative to Russia, which has long been considered a destination for affordable, high-quality education.
Expanding Options for Students
In June, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan unveiled a map of foreign university branches operating in the country. The government is positioning Kazakhstan as a leading academic hub in Central Asia by enhancing international cooperation and expanding opportunities for students.
Partnerships have already been established with 39 foreign universities. Currently, 23 branches of institutions from the UK, Italy, China, Russia, the U.S., France, and South Korea operate in Kazakhstan.
Seven more branches are expected to open in the 2025-2026 academic year, namely Coventry University, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) in Astana, Gazi University in Shymkent, Woosong University in Turkestan, Anhalt University in Almaty, Politecnico della Marche in Taldykorgan, and Dong Eui University in Kostanay.
A standout example of this strategy arrived in early September:
Notably, on September 3, Cardiff University opened its first campus outside the UK in Astana. It is also the first member of the prestigious Russell Group to begin operations in Kazakhstan. The Russell Group comprises 24 leading UK universities responsible for two-thirds of all research grants and contract funding in the UK, and 56% of doctoral degrees awarded. Cardiff University Kazakhstan is now accepting students for four-year bachelor’s programs in computer science, business management, civil engineering, and geology and mineral exploration.
Kazakhstan has witnessed a surge in the establishment of foreign university branches since 2021. These include the Peking University of Languages and Culture at Astana International University, and the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Russia) at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Additional branches include the University of Lorraine (France) at the Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abai, and the University of Anhalt (Germany) at the Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications named after Gumarbek Daukeev.
Other notable branches include the University of Hong Kong at Satpayev University in Almaty, Berlin Technical University in Aktau, De Montfort University (UK) in Almaty, and Queen’s University Belfast (Ireland) at Narxoz University, among others.
These branches offer programs in mining, water resource management, and mineral exploration and extraction, along with biotechnology, electrical engineering, energy, mechatronics, logistics, chemical technology, robotics, and related disciplines.
In 2023, Korkyt Ata University in Kyzylorda launched an Institute of Artificial Intelligence, in partnership with Seoul National University of Science and Technology. It currently offers programs in computer science, cybersecurity, software development, and information systems.
An Ambitious Vision
Observers note that Kazakhstan’s education drive is unfolding amid growing global competition for international students. Neighboring Uzbekistan has also launched partnerships with European institutions, while Turkey and the Gulf states are actively courting students from Asia and Africa. By moving early and offering relatively low tuition, Kazakhstan hopes to secure a durable niche in this crowded market.
Kazakhstan is aiming to become the top education destination in Central Asia. The government is working with globally recognized universities to align its education system with international standards. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek has stated that Kazakhstan aims to attract 150,000 foreign students by 2029, nearly five times the current number.
The country offers several advantages: a strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, political and economic stability, and lower tuition fees compared to Western countries and Russia. “Kazakhstan is not only a leader in education in Central Asia; we are becoming a new Eurasian center,” said Nurbek. “Our partnerships with global universities and the growth in world-class campuses show that students no longer need to leave the region to access international-quality education.”
To support this goal, the government is providing tuition grants, building new dormitories, and investing in research clusters. Thirty-five Kazakhstani universities have been included in the QS Asia University Rankings 2025. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and Satpayev University are ranked among the top 100, reflecting growing international recognition.
Officials emphasize that attracting students requires more than campuses and programs. Work is underway to improve dormitory conditions, expand visa services, and create cultural integration programs. Several universities now run orientation courses for foreign students, including Kazakh language basics and intercultural workshops, aimed at easing adjustment and retention.
Building an AI-Ready Future
Kazakhstan has also made significant investments in AI infrastructure. In May 2025, the country acquired the most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia, with a processing capacity of approximately two exaflops. Based on NVIDIA’s H200 graphics chips, the system is available to government agencies, universities, and startups.
The country has also established partnerships with Huawei, Coursera, and Astana Hub, supporting a practical and applied approach to education. AI studies are being integrated across higher and secondary education curricula.
The government also sees higher education as a tool for economic diversification. By training specialists in AI, engineering, and energy, officials hope to reduce reliance on extractive industries and foster a knowledge-based economy. Analysts argue that international campuses can serve as incubators for research partnerships, tech startups, and innovation clusters that will spill over into broader economic growth.
A Competitive Alternative
For decades, Russia was the primary destination for students from the post-Soviet space. That dynamic is shifting, not only due to the war in Ukraine, but because Russia’s withdrawal from the Bologna Process has complicated degree recognition in Western countries.
Kazakhstan is well-positioned to fill the gap. It offers a Russian-speaking environment while increasingly improving English and other foreign language instruction in its universities.
As a result, Kazakhstan is attracting more students from countries such as China, India, Pakistan, across Asia and Africa, Eastern Europe, and even Russia and other post-Soviet states. This trend is supported by deliberate government policies, expanding global university partnerships, and growing international awareness of Kazakhstan’s academic strengths. Whether this momentum can be sustained will depend not only on Kazakhstan’s ability to attract prestigious partners, but also on how its institutions deliver. For now, as new campuses open and domestic programs grow, Kazakhstan’s higher education system is entering a decisive phase in its evolving regional role.
Decker had been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping after the discovery in June of his three young daughters’ bodies.
RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP via Getty Images
- Wealthy Americans are turning to Latin America and Asia for “Plan B” passports.
- One firm told BI it had seen a 660% spike in US citizens applying for residency in Costa Rica.
- Advisors told BI that multiple passports are now a wealth-planning tool, not just a perk.
Forget wine in Tuscany or summers in the south of France — wealthy Americans are now chasing second passports in Costa Rica’s jungles and Bangkok’s buzzing streets.
For decades, Europe set the pace in the second-passport market. Portugal, Malta, and Greece have drawn high-net-worth Americans through tax perks, visa-free travel, and sunny places to retire.
However, new data shows, and on-the-ground advisors told Business Insider that the focus is shifting toward Latin America and parts of Asia.
Nomad Capitalist, a wealth advisory firm founded by Andrew Henderson that specializes in second citizenships, residencies, and global tax planning, said Latin America and Asia are emerging as hot spots for wealthy Americans seeking a “Plan B.”
“Latin America has seen the most dramatic rise,” Henderson told Business Insider. “Compared to pre-2020 levels, client engagements tied to the region have roughly doubled.
“Uruguay, Panama, and now Argentina are leading the charge,” Henderson said, adding that about 10% of Nomad’s client work was tied to Latin American programs.
While smaller in scale, Asia is also on the rise — making up 3 to 7% of Nomad Capitalist’s annual cases, with demand concentrated in strategic hubs like Thailand, Singapore, and Cambodia. “For our clients, Asia is less about volume and more about positioning in key business and investment markets,” Henderson said.
Europe, meanwhile, remains a steady choice, accounting for around 20% of its work. But Henderson adds that while Europe’s growth has been “steady rather than explosive,” much of the excitement has shifted toward emerging markets.
AMAURY PAUL/AFP via Getty Images
Why Americans are looking beyond Europe
According to Henderson, the shift is driven by a mix of geopolitical, economic, and lifestyle factors.
Traditional safe havens like Europe are losing appeal, he said, due to tightened tax regimes, stricter immigration rules, and higher investment thresholds.
Portugal ended its non-habitual resident tax regime last year, the UK scrapped its non-dom tax system in April, and Spain officially ended its real estate investment route to citizenship earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Malta was forced to shut its “golden passport” program after the EU’s top court ruled it illegal, and Greece raised its Golden Visa investment thresholds in 2023 and 2024, doubling minimums in high-demand areas like Athens, Santorini, and Mykonos.
By contrast, Latin America and Asia offer faster, more affordable programs with minimal presence requirements, Henderson said, adding clients increasingly want “better value for their money,” pointing to lower taxes, high-quality healthcare, and luxury amenities available at a fraction of the Western cost.
Michel Soler, managing director for Latin America at Henley & Partners, cited lower entry thresholds, favorable tax regimes, and geographic proximity as key drivers for Americans choosing the region.
“Costa Rica and Panama are only a direct flight away from the US,” Soler said, adding that Americans want options that are close, affordable, and tax-friendly if they decide to relocate.
Costa Rica’s breakout year
Henley & Partners’ data provided to BI shows just how quickly Costa Rica has climbed. In 2025, it will be its fourth-most popular program for US nationals.
Applications have surged 660% year-over-year, albeit from a low base in 2024 when the program was first rolled out, the data showed. Enquiries from Americans in the first two quarters of 2025 were up 31% compared with the last two quarters of 2024.
“Costa Rica has certainly shot up to become one of the most popular programs for US nationals this year,” Soler said. “It ticks the boxes: lower thresholds than Europe, tax benefits, safety, and a lifestyle people describe as ‘Pura Vida.'”
mbrand85/Getty Images
A Costa Rica brief from Harvey Law Corporation shows the country offers multiple pathways: an investor route starting at $150,000 in qualified assets, including real estate; a Rentista route that requires $2,500 in guaranteed monthly passive income for two years or a $60,000 local bank deposit; and a Pensionado track at $1,000 a month in pension income.
Steve Corbin, director of Caribbean operations for Harvey Law Group’s Grenada office, said that Latin American residencies are often chosen by Americans who actually plan to relocate, rather than just hold a backup option.
For “the ones applying for European or Caribbean programs,” Corbin said, “it’s a backup plan.”
“Asia and Latin America are much more, ‘I want to move within the next 6 months or so’,” he added.
From Virginia to Kuala Lumpur
Jerry Massey, a freelance sports announcer and human resources consultant from Spotsylvania, Virginia, is one of those planning his next chapter abroad.
Massey, already a dual citizen of the US and Dominica through a $100,000 citizenship-by-investment program, said Asia now looms large in his future. His top pick: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with Bangkok as a backup plan.
Courtesy of Jerry Massey
“I enjoy the people, the food, and the quality of life,” Massey told BI. “I feel much safer in a Malaysian metro station after midnight than I do in Washington, DC.”
“Healthcare is amazing in Kuala Lumpur,” he said, adding, “the doctors are extremely professional, well educated, and knowledgeable, and use the latest technology.”
He added that “the cost of living is cheaper as well. You can dine for a fraction of the cost as you would in the West.”
The new normal: multiple passports, multiple options
Massey’s decision reflects a broader trend among wealthy Americans: spreading their bets.
For some, it’s about lower taxes or asset protection. For others, it’s lifestyle and safety. And for many, it’s about ensuring their children inherit not just wealth, but global mobility.
“Clients are clear,” Henderson said, “they want a solid Plan C as an extra layer of security beyond their existing passports and residencies.”
Corbin said more Americans are now layering multiple programs to cover different needs.
“We’re definitely getting cases” where clients combine a Caribbean citizenship for an alternate passport with a residency in Europe or Asia, where they might actually live, he said.
Soler echoed that point, adding that Americans are now treating citizenship and residency as a portfolio strategy.
“It’s not just about travel anymore — it’s about wealth planning for the next generation.”
Read the original article on Business Insider
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