2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The EDUFUSION Project, funded by the European Union, is a comprehensive 48-month initiative aimed at revolutionizing higher education in Kazakhstan by aligning academic outcomes with labor market demands and driving sustainable growth and job creation. The Edu-Fusion Network for Sustainable Growth (EduFusion NSG) presents an innovative, integrated framework that addresses the critical gap between academia and industry, providing a structured ecosystem that promotes collaboration, educator training, and market-relevant course offerings to enhance entrepreneurship and economic resilience on a national scale.

At the core of EduFusion NSG are three pivotal components: the Academia-Industry Collaboration Portal (AICP), the Teacher Development and Support System (TDSS), and the Virtual STEAM & Entrepreneurship Academy (VSEA). The AICP serves as a dynamic platform fostering partnerships between academia and industry, facilitating the development of joint projects, internships, and skills essential for value chain growth and entrepreneurship. The TDSS provides comprehensive training and certification for educators, ensuring international standards in teaching methodologies. Finally, the VSEA aims to offer accredited online courses in STEAM and entrepreneurship, integrating gender inclusiveness and climate neutrality, directly addressing labor market needs through quarterly analysis and feedback from over 100 industry stakeholders. By establishing a collaborative network of partner institutions, EDUFUSION encourages the transfer of knowledge and best practices, promoting international exchange that strengthens engineering education across Kazakhstan.

EduFusion NSG stands out for its emphasis on quality, accredited education that responds to market demands, fostering an educational environment that nurtures innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth. This paper discusses the implementation strategies, challenges, and measurable outcomes of EduFusion NSG, demonstrating how this integrated approach can serve as a model for transforming higher education and labor market alignment in emerging economies.