Kazakhstan’s education sector is undergoing a quiet but масштабная transformation. This shift is not only about schools or universities - it is about rethinking access to knowledge, the role of technology, and the responsibility for future generations.
Bilim Group founder Rauan Kenjekhanuly spoke about this in the 100th episode of the “101DrugShaekina” podcast. His key message is simple, yet powerful: education is not only the responsibility of the state - it is the responsibility of society as a whole.
How it all started
The story of Bilim Group shows how an idea can grow into an entire industry.
Back in 2011, it was just a small startup. At that time, the concept of EdTech - the integration of technology and education - was not yet fully formed.
The team focused on one core question: how to make education more accessible.
Today, the scale is significant:
- 300 employees
- presence in over 5,000 kindergartens
- 6,000 schools
- 400 colleges
- 100 universities
- around 15 digital services
Bilim Group also generates one of the largest volumes of internet traffic in Kazakhstan.
“Today we have a team of 300 people. We are the largest EdTech team in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. We operate in more than 5,000 kindergartens, 6,000 schools, 400 colleges, and 100 universities. We generate one of the highest volumes of user traffic in the country: if you check platforms like Zero.kz, which track internet traffic in Kazakhstan, we are ranked number one and confidently hold that position - all thanks to our services. Inside the company, there are about 15 different services that help improve the quality of education and make it more accessible,” said Rauan Kenjekhanuly.
Why traditional approaches no longer work
One of the key challenges highlighted by the entrepreneur is demographic growth.
This year alone, around 410,000 children will enter first grade. And this is only part of the picture - preschools, colleges, and universities are also expanding.
The traditional education system simply cannot keep up with this pace.
This is why digitalization is seen as the main solution:
- expanding access to education
- improving quality
- making learning scalable and flexible
Education is a shared responsibility
One of the most important ideas from the interview is that education is not solely the government’s responsibility.
According to Kenjekhanuly, businesses and technology companies must also play an active role.
In other words, education is a shared task for the entire society.
Language as the foundation of the future
Another key focus for Bilim Group is the development of the Kazakh language.
This goes beyond formal support - it is about building a полноценная digital content ecosystem.
“Any language lives, develops, and becomes strong primarily through its content. If there is not enough content in Kazakh that helps a person grow both personally and professionally, if they cannot find everything they need - from children’s literature to science - then the language will not fully develop. That is why we are working on this,” Kenjekhanuly noted.
How Wikipedia became a breakthrough
One of the company’s first major projects was the development of the Kazakh-language Wikipedia.
Together with a community of contributors, the number of articles grew from 7,000 to 200,000 in just two years.
This achievement was recognized internationally - Rauan Kenjekhanuly received the Wikimedian of the Year award.
Kazakhstan’s EdTech goes global
Today, Bilim Group is not limited to the local market.
The company collaborates with global platforms and technology leaders.
“The EdTech industry is relatively narrow, and globally, major players know us well. We are familiar with them and collaborate closely - even if not through direct presence in foreign markets, then through large-scale partnerships, such as with OpenAI and Coursera. So it is fair to say that Bilim Group is a global company. And of course, we have ambitions to bring our experience and expertise to international markets,” he concluded.
What it means for Kazakhstan
The story of Bilim Group is more than just a business case.
It reflects a broader transformation in how education, language, and technology interact.
The key takeaway is clear:
the future of education depends not only on the state - it is shaped by the collective effort of society.
Kazakhstan has already stepped into this new era.
