Key indicators for assessing the quality of higher and postgraduate education in the context of public audit: methodological and practical aspects

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the higher and postgraduate education system in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Based on the study of the regulatory framework, reporting materials and international experience, key systemic problems have been identified that hinder the improvement of the quality of educational services and the competitiveness of Kazakhstani universities.
The research is based on a comparative legal, structurally functional, and content analysis of documents, including legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan, standards of international organizations (ENQA, INTOSAI, OECD), reports of the highest audit authorities of foreign countries. It also includes scientific works of leading experts in the field of higher education.
The study identified significant shortcomings in strategic management, digital infrastructure, graduate employment monitoring, doctoral program regulation, and external quality assessment mechanisms. Particular attention is paid to discrepancies between strategic goals and their practical implementation, as well as insufficient integration of science, education and business.
Based on the analysis, a set of recommendations for the modernization of the higher education system is proposed. Key areas of improvement include: strengthening the continuity of government policy, creating a unified digital educational data platform, strengthening control over university admissions, reforming the doctoral program system, reorienting external quality assessment to the final examination of graduates' results. Also, increasing the objectivity of national university rankings.
The practical significance of the work lies in the development of specific mechanisms to improve the quality of specialist training and the effectiveness of budget use, taking into account the best international practices (USA, Germany, Singapore) and the existing national infrastructure. The implementation of the proposed measures can strengthen the competitiveness of Kazakhstani universities in the global educational market and ensure that staff training meets the current needs of the economy.