Challenges of Ph.D. training in social sciences and humanities in Kazakhstani universities
Satpayeva Z. Kangalakova D. Kakizhanova T. Konstantinova K.
2025LLC CPC Business Perspectives
Knowledge and Performance Management
2025#9Issue 11 - 15 pp.
This study aims to identify challenges in the training of scientific personnel in the field of social sciences and humanities at the doctoral level in Kazakhstan. It proceeds from the assumption that successful completion of a Ph.D. program is conditioned by internal and external factors that influence the educational process and may lead to challenges in Ph.D. thesis defense. The study employs an explanatory-sequential approach within a mixed-methods design, incorporating economic-statistical, regression, and content analysis. Data were gathered through questionnaires from 61 current students and graduates of Ph.D. programs in the social sciences and humanities. Findings indicate that having a job made it more challenging for respondents to study and complete their Ph.D. programs, as employment requires time and effort; however, the additional monthly income besides scholarship helped reduce financial stress, thereby supporting their academic progress. Women found studying easier than men, while married respondents experienced fewer challenges than single ones. Although 36.1% of respondents expressed high satisfaction with Ph.D. training quality, the majority reported challenges, with 65.65% noting issues in the educational process, 52.5% identifying problems in scientific supervision, 33% raising concerns about teacher qualifications, and 25% highlighting infrastructure needs. Key factors influencing Ph.D. completion rates included an unstable study environment, characterized by frequent changes in regulations, and students’ difficulties in meeting government-imposed requirements, especially publication in a Scopus database journal. The study’s practical value is developing measures to enhance Ph.D. thesis defense rates by improving admission requirements, restricting external employment, increasing supervisor accountability, and adjusting publication standards.
academic degree , doctoral study , dropout level , educational process , Ph.D. program , Ph.D. thesis defense , postgraduate education , public administration , science , scientific personnel
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The Department of Innovative and Technological Development, Institute of Economics, The Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Kazakhstan
The Department of Real Sector of Economy, Institute of Economics, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Kazakhstan
Department of Economics, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan
School of Economics and Management, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
The Department of Innovative and Technological Development
The Department of Real Sector of Economy
Department of Economics
School of Economics and Management
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