Clustering of Kazakhstan universities based on quality indicators

This study presents a clustering analysis of universities in Kazakhstan based on various quality indicators, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, and internationalization metrics. The aim is to identify groups of universities with similar characteristics to facilitate targeted improvements and strategic planning. The Ward's method of hierarchical clustering was employed, resulting in four main clusters. The findings reveal distinct strengths and weaknesses of each cluster, providing valuable insights for policymakers and university administrators to enhance the quality of higher education in Kazakhstan. The study concludes with specific recommendations for improving academic reputation, international cooperation, infrastructure, and employer engagement.