What is AccelEd? 

The project “Accelerating Master and PhD level Nursing Education Development in the Higher Education System in Kazakhstan – AccelEd” seeks to reform nursing science and research in higher education system of Kazakhstan, focusing on modernization of governance, management and functioning of healthcare and physical-sciences-related higher education practices in Kazakhstan. 

Modernization in the framework of AccelEd means improvement of governance, planning, service quality assurance, internationalization and wider recognition of nursing education on Master and PhD level, as well as contribution to the lifelong learning promotion in nursing field. As a structural project, AccelEd will be implemented with assistance of the ministries responsible for healthcare and education, to ensure sustainability of actions and incorporation of them into the following operational plans of the Republic of Kazakhstan.  

A set of aims and objectives of the AccelEd project was shaped based on the challenges on nursing higher education and specific needs of the project target groups. Wide range of national, local and international stakeholders, including academic staff and policy makers, were engaged in feasibility of the project proposal, therefore ensuring the aims and objectives are reachable and relevant for the national context in Kazakhstan. Thus, the general project goal to strengthen nursing education on Master level and establishing and launching PhD nursing science in Kazakhstan through changes in policy, legal framework and institutional structures correspond to the strategic interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan and meet the needs expressed by the specialists who are involved in the nursing education, research and clinical practice. 

Years of implementation: 2021 – 2023. 

Key directions of the project’s work 

In order to reach the main aim, the project is moving in four directions: 

• Strengthening nursing science in Kazakhstan through the capacity building of teaching staff based on contemporary issues in global nursing (WP2.1).  

AccelEd intends to develop competencies of nursing faculty members in order to ensure smooth implementation of three cycles of Bologna-type reforms in education, and will enact the trinity of the education, practice and research of nursing in the country.  

Responsible partners: Åbo Akademi University and Astana Medical University. 

• Joining the broader international community of nursing researchers to build the capacity of nursing faculty in research methodologies (WP 2.2).  
• Best European practices and methodologies are to be transferred for applying them by the teachers of nursing research (peer-learning, counselling and internship experiences). 

Responsible partners: Lithuanian University of Health sciences and Nazarbayev University Medical School. 

• Creating sustainable structures and systematic processes for cooperation in nursing research between medical universities and healthcare institutions to foster evidence-based nursing (WP 2.3).  

New approaches and tools are to be introduced to the project target groups in order to facilitate creation of sustainable continuation and application of nursing education and research to practical innovation development in healthcare system.  

Responsible partners: JAMK University of Applied Sciences and Karaganda Medical University. 

• Initiating structural and institutional changes in managing Master and PhD level nursing education and quality assurance of post graduate education in nursing according to best European practices (WP2.4).  

Activities carried out by the project address improvement of quality assurance system in nursing Master and PhD level education, developing competence in nursing research and final theses development and setting clear guidelines for graduates and evaluators of nursing faculties of KZ medical universities. 

Responsible partners: Utrecht University Medical Centre, S. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University.