Vladimir Shkolnik has held a number of high profile positions in the Kazakhstan government, and is currently advising the Kazakhstan government on industrial and energy matters.
His previous positions included the office of Minister of Energy, Minister of Trade and Industry, and also Deputy Head of Presidential administration, reporting directly to the President.
He is an academic with a doctorate in physics and has written a number of papers and books in the field of energy, natural resources and other scientific fields. He has been influential in setting up academic institutions, in the areas of mineral processing and also nuclear power in Kazakhstan, working with anumber of leading Companies from Japan,France and Russia in setting up joint enterprises.