On July 8, 2025, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan adopted a resolution on the ratification of the Asia-Pacific Regional Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education, also known as the Tokyo Convention. This step strengthens the country’s position in the international educational space and opens up new opportunities for students, academic staff, and universities.

The Convention was adopted in 2011 in Tokyo under the auspices of UNESCO and entered into force in 2018. Its main objective is to establish a harmonized legal and organizational framework to ensure mutual recognition of diplomas, academic degrees, and qualifications among countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The document defines common approaches to the recognition of foreign qualifications, based on transparency and trust in the education systems of the participating countries. The agreement promotes academic mobility by facilitating access to higher education and employment opportunities abroad. It also calls for the development of national information centers that provide objective information on foreign education systems. In addition, the Convention covers modern modes of learning, including distance and online programs. As a result, it supports the convergence of educational standards and fosters long-term cooperation in higher education.

Kazakhstan’s accession to the Tokyo Convention holds strategic importance. It enhances the country’s international reputation as a reliable and responsible partner in education, reaffirms its commitment to international quality standards, and opens new prospects for the development of science, academic exchange, and the training of competitive professionals. For students and faculty, it means broader access to international education and collaboration, while for universities, it enhances international visibility and attractiveness.

Moreover, Kazakhstan’s participation in the Convention will expand opportunities for academic exchange among countries of South and Southeast Asia, including Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and others, and will be an important step toward establishing Kazakhstan as a regional hub for higher education.

Thus, the ratification of the Convention will make it easier for graduates of Kazakhstani universities to continue their education and professional careers abroad, and enable domestic institutions to participate more actively in global educational and research initiatives.

To date, the Tokyo Convention has been ratified by 16 countries, including Australia, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Turkmenistan, and now—Kazakhstan.