Cambridge and Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools enter new era of collaboration with qualification accreditation agreement

In 2008, the Kazakhstan government established the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS) initiative as an experimental platform to develop modern models of education which could support the nation’s rapid socio-economic transformation. Today, NIS is a network of 21 schools for exceptional children, raising standards of education across the country. 

Cambridge Partnership for Education, in partnership with the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education, worked in collaboration with NIS to develop an internationally competitive education system for its schools. This included devising and implementing a curriculum, assessment and teacher training programme for Grades 1 – 12 in Kazakh, Russian and English. Cambridge also supported NIS to cascade learnings from the programme to a wider number of schools across the country.

The programme involved exchanging knowledge and skills between Cambridge and NIS to create a system that NIS could operate independently in the long-term, with NIS taking on more responsibilities over time. 

In April 2023, NIS and Cambridge signed a new agreement marking a milestone in this journey: transitioning to NIS being responsible for all qualifications and Cambridge providing accreditation services for Grade 12 exams. 

Under this agreement, NIS will develop and deliver all their qualifications, and Cambridge will provide evaluation, quality assurance, advice and guidance. Previously, Cambridge had been responsible for developing and delivering the qualifications alongside NIS. 

NIS will now develop their qualification processes and implement good practice independently. Cambridge will audit and monitor NIS’s processes against specified accreditation requirements, including looking at:

• Syllabuses, including both development and ongoing review.
• Assessment materials, including the review of all question papers and schedules.
• Marking, including monitoring, training, and standardisation.
• Grading, including overseeing grading and agreeing on outcomes.
• Exam administration, including centre inspections and process reviews.
• Professional development for existing and new staff appropriate to the context.

Through this approach, NIS and Cambridge will ensure they continue to maintain high awarding standards for NIS qualifications.

Since their launch, NIS Grade 12 certificates have been equivalent to Cambridge International A and AS Level qualifications. This continues to be the case in this latest phase of collaboration. Once Cambridge confirms NIS has met the stated standards for the year, candidates will receive jointly branded certificates displaying both the Cambridge and NIS logos. 

Anuar Zhangozin, Chairman of NIS said “Twelve years ago NIS set a huge ambition to establish an independent examination institution. A new agreement with Cambridge providing accreditation services for NIS Grade 12 exams is the prove for NIS Center for Pedagogical Measurements sustained to become a truly independent exam board. I express my gratitude to Cambridge colleagues for their constant support in implementing our ambitious goal and contribution preparing highly qualified exam experts locally”

Alison Brolly, Programme Manager, Cambridge Partnership for Education said, “Transferring ownership of the NIS exams is an exciting milestone to enable a sustainable future for NIS and education innovation in Kazakhstan. It is truly impressive that NIS has reached the high standards of managing Cambridge-equivalent qualifications from scratch in just a decade. This is a testament to the vision of NIS leadership and the dedication of all colleagues. I know I speak for people across Cambridge when I say it is a pleasure to support NIS on their journey.”

This latest agreement between NIS and Cambridge Partnership for Education builds on an extensive history of partnerships between the University of Cambridge and NIS, including building a publishing organisation with Cambridge Partnership for Education and research with the Faculty of Education.