For more than 15 years, Mahabbat Sadvokasova has been involved in Kazakhstan’s scientific and innovation landscape. Focused on linking academia and industry, she has worked on various initiatives aimed at integrating science with business and shaping policies to support technological development, DKnews.kz reports.
One of her recent projects, commissioned by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, seeks to improve commercialization mechanisms—transforming scientific discoveries into marketable products. Drawing from global examples, the initiative attempts to create a more structured framework for moving innovations from research to industry, though challenges remain in implementation and long-term sustainability.
A Work in Progress
At the core of the project is an effort to develop policies that encourage the commercialization of research—an area where Kazakhstan still lags behind leading economies. One reference point is the Bayh-Dole Act in the United States, which allowed universities to retain ownership of intellectual property from government-funded research. However, translating such models to Kazakhstan’s economic and regulatory environment presents difficulties, including bureaucracy and limited private sector engagement.
“The challenge,” she acknowledges, “is not just in designing policies but ensuring that researchers and businesses can effectively engage with the system. Implementation is key.”
The project aims to encourage collaboration between universities, technology firms, and government agencies, but the reality of structural barriers and entrenched interests means progress has been slow. While there is potential, the practical impact remains to be seen.
Her role in international science policy has provided exposure to best practices, yet Kazakhstan’s research infrastructure faces significant obstacles, including underfunding and a lack of clear pathways for commercial application. “Global collaboration is important,” she says, “but we need to ensure our domestic policies are effective first.”
The Road Ahead
Sadvokasova’s work highlights the ongoing struggle to align research with economic development in Kazakhstan. While the idea of commercialization is widely accepted as important, practical execution remains complex, requiring significant shifts in policy, funding, and industry engagement.
Her guidance in bringing together an interdisciplinary team and analyzing global trends has contributed to ongoing discussions, but whether these efforts will lead to tangible outcomes is still an open question. As the country continues to grapple with structural barriers, the effectiveness of such initiatives remains to be fully realized.
In an evolving global economy, Kazakhstan faces significant challenges in fostering a competitive research and innovation environment. Whether figures like Mahabbat Sadvokasova can help drive meaningful change remains to be seen.
