From Artificial Intelligence to Unmanned Systems: The Ministry of Defence Is Accepting Applications for 1,500 spots at Higher Education Institutions

In Kazakhstan, the application period for military educational institutions under the Ministry of Defence is currently continuing. Applications to military institutes and colleges can be submitted from July 15 through July 31. This year, 723 spots are available for applicants at military institutes and 760 spots at military colleges. During their studies, cadets receive full state support, and upon graduation, they are assigned to military posts.

Colonel Murat Olzhabayev, Head of the Department of Military Education and Science at the Ministry of Defenсe of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke about the progress of the admissions campaign and the development of the military education system during a briefing at the Central Communications Service.

According to him, Kazakhstan is currently implementing a comprehensive modernization of its military education system aimed at training a new generation of officers and noncommissioned officers capable of operating effectively in the context of modern armed conflicts. The system comprises nine military educational institutions—three institutes, five colleges, and the National University of Defenсe—and covers all levels of training, from secondary specialized education to master’s and doctoral programs. The priorities remain practice-oriented training, the integration of digital technologies, and the training of specialists in the fields most in demand by the modern army.

“Modern armed conflicts require new approaches to personnel training. Therefore, courses on information security, cryptology, electronic warfare, automated troop command and control systems, the use of unmanned aerial systems, as well as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality technologies are being actively integrated into the educational process,” noted Murat Olzhabayev.

One of the key areas of reform has been the digitization of the admissions process. Since last year, applications for admission to military educational institutions can be submitted through the eGov.kz portal. Thanks to the integration of government information systems, the processing time for documents has been reduced from 120 to 30 days, and the selection procedures have become more transparent and accessible to applicants from all regions of the country.

According to the spokesperson, young people’s interest in military education continues to grow. Based on the results of last year’s admissions campaign, the competition for spots in military colleges averaged three applicants per spot, and for military institutes, two applicants per spot. The most sought-after majors remain those related to aviation, military medicine, automation, information and communication technologies, and information security.

The Ministry of Defenсe places special emphasis on the practical training of future officers. Cadets undergo internships in active military units, participate in joint-service exercises, and learn to use modern reconnaissance, communications, electronic warfare, and troop command systems. The curriculum incorporates lessons learned from modern armed conflicts, as well as the use of unmanned aerial systems.

In addition, international cooperation in the field of military education continues to develop. Today, more than 300 Kazakhstani cadets are studying at military educational institutions in China, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, the United States, the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Belarus in specialties that are in demand within the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.

In conclusion, the head of the Department of Military Education and Science emphasized that the modernization of the system is aimed at developing a high-tech model for training military personnel, focused on practical skills, leadership, and the modern requirements of national security.