Kazakhstan needs innovators of new generation - N. Nazarbayev

'The key issue for development of innovation is the support to the people who are involved in this process. The races for finance and investments are all secondary to professionals, specialists who ensure development of the country. For instance, China trains around 500 specialists every year, South Korea has about 200 professionals added to their national scientific reserve. We have only about one third of our graduates who work within their specialties. It might be our fault,' N. Nazarbayev emphasized.

The Head of State noted that within the industrialization of the country, there were 152 enterprises that were put into operation last year. 112 new facilities will be launched this year. We need well-prepared engineers to work there. It must be clearly stated: 'The state pays for education of the youth and then they work within their specialties in the state,' the President said.

N. Nazarbayev called on to pay attention to innovators of our country. In accordance with the statistics there are around 1000-1500 innovation applications every year. 'Though, these figures are insufficient for us. We need to provide long-term grants to successful specialists who work in technological and innovative parks. I propose to think about such projects as '100 new talents', '100 best innovators', 'President's club of absolute innovations'. We need to encourage and support the work of these people. These grants should be established. The best innovative projects should be submitted by the 20^th anniversary of Independence of Kazakhstan,' the President added.