Аннотация
Current trends in higher education highlight the growing importance of entrepreneurial approaches within university systems. In an era defined by the knowledge economy and digital transformation, a growing number of institutions are rethinking their strategies to merge education, research, and business. This paper explores the entrepreneurial university as a distinct institutional phenomenon, analyzing its defining features, conditions for development, core functions, and broader role in the socio-economic advancement of a country. The objectives of this paper are: to analyze the conceptual foundations and global models of entrepreneurial universities; to develop recommendations for their further advancement in Kazakhstan. Both objectives are consistently addressed in the sections of the article. Special attention is paid to the relevance and applicability of this model in the context of Kazakhstan’s educational system. The article offers an in-depth discussion of the structural transformation of traditional universities into entrepreneurial entities – an evolution driven by the demands of the modern world. This transformation includes curriculum redesign, the adoption of innovative technologies, and increased engagement with the private sector. The paper also explores the specific drivers and challenges facing Kazakhstani universities as they move toward this entrepreneurial paradigm.