The Senate hosted a Government Hour on the topic “Digitalization in Education, Healthcare, Employment: Status, Accessibility and Security”, participants discussed the current state of digitalization in the country, Internet provision and information security issues in the regions.
“On July 10 of this year, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted at an expanded meeting of the Government that the pandemic had revealed significant shortcomings and problems in the digital economy. In this regard, we believe that we together need to reconsider the approach to the work of state bodies, considering the identified shortcomings in the development of digitalization in the context of a pandemic,” said Vice Speaker of the Senate Nurlan Abdirov, opening the meeting.
The Vice-Speaker said that currently 118 cities and 4558 rural settlements has the Internet access using ADSL technology. Today, about 40% of Kazakhstan’s population lives in rural areas. Communication services providers are currently implementing a network construction project aimed at reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
“Personal data protection service is being developed in Kazakhstan. This will allow users to control their use. It should be noted that until recently there was no authorized body for the personal data protection in the country. It is worth pointing out that the availability of personal data leads to the commission of crimes in the country. That is why the state agencies need to ensure their protection”, said the Vice Speaker of the Senate, Nurlan Abdirov.
The Chairman of the Committee for Social and Cultural Development and Science, Murat Baktiyaruly was the meeting moderator.
During the Government Hour, Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry, Bagdat Musin delivered a report. He said that there is no systematic approach to analysis and IT architecture in the state agencies.
Deputy of the Senate, Altynbek Nukhuly, also made a presentation and voiced several topical issues in the field of digitalization. Senator, Altynbek Nukhuly, said that the main goal of the digitalization of healthcare, education and employment is to simplify administrative procedures, ensure transparency and availability of assistance for our citizens.
“I would like to note that the introduction of the automated information system “Portal of Social Services” plays an important role in satisfaction of needs of our citizens,” said Altynbek Nukhuly.
Members of the Senate Young Experts Club participated in the discussion and shared their thoughts and approaches to work in the field of digitalization.
Following the results of the Government Hour, a number of recommendations were developed that will be sent to the competent and interested authorities, as well as used in the legislative activities of the Deputies of the Senate.
The Government Hour was organized by the Committees for Social and Cultural Development and Science, Economic Policy, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, as well as International Relations, Defense and Security.
