American, South Korean, and Kazakhstani universities strengthen collaboration on research projects.
Rewritten Article:
🇺🇸 Kazakhstan Inks Deals with Top U.S. Universities for Groundbreaking Research 🇰🇿
ASTANA - In a powerful move to bolster academic ties, Kazakhstan has struck significant agreements with prestigious American universities, aiming to initiate three new research projects and expand partnerships. During a whirlwind visit to the United States, Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek made some stunning announcements.
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Expanding Horizons with Top-Tier Universities
The University of Arizona is set to expand its presence in Kazakhstan by leading research in bioinformatics, water management, and sulfur-based polymer production at Kozybayev University in Petropavl. And that's not all – Arizona State University will open a second branch at Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University in 2026, signaling an ambitious expansion.
Plans are in the works to establish a technical university in Zhezkazgan with the Colorado School of Mines and Kazakhmys Corporation. This new institution, yet to be named, is slated to change the educational landscape in the region.
Nurbek held discussions in Washington with the legendary Educational Testing Service, renowned for creating tests like TOEFL, PISA, and SAT. The ministry plans to sign a partnership agreement aimed at revamping the national testing system and adopting new certification processes.
"With this partnership, applicants will take the test and earn a certificate, ensuring admission to any university," Nurbek explained.
A joint research project with Harvard University and the Davis Center in Boston has been agreed upon. This collaboration will focus on creating a digital platform for digitizing rare, ancient manuscripts written in Chagatai and classical Chinese, dating back to the 12th to 17th centuries.
Boosting Foreign Enrollment and Investment
As many as 37 universities from around the globe have expressed interest in setting up shop in Kazakhstan. This academic year alone, nearly 31,500 international students flocked to Kazakhstan from countries such as Australia, China, India, Mongolia, Russia, and beyond, bringing in over 30 billion tenge (US$58.7 million) in investments and creating 40,000 jobs.
By the 2028-2029 academic year, Nurbek aims to train 100,000 foreign students annually, generating an estimated 130,000 jobs and attracting billions of tenge in investments.
Kazakhstan: The Emerging Central Asian Educational Hub
On April 28, Nurbek sat down with South Korean Deputy Minister of Education Oh Seok-hwan in Almaty, where they discussed Kazakhstan's ambitious goal to become the educational hub of Central Asia. This year, Woosong University will open a branch in Turkistan, offering 110 scholarships for its inaugural students.
Collaborative efforts also include mechanical engineering training with Dong-Eui University, dual-degree programs with SeoulTech, and a rare earth processing center with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).
"I am astounded by the progress of higher education in Kazakhstan. I have no doubt that with such a formidable potential and strategic approach, Kazakhstan will undoubtedly take the lead in Central Asian educational markets," Oh Seok-hwan enthused.
Broadening Horizons: Global Collaborations in Education
While specific partnership agreements remain elusive, there is evidence pointing to the growing collaboration between Kazakh and American universities:
- Illinois Institute of Technology and Narxoz University Partnership: Illinois Tech and Narxoz University have formed a dual degree program, marking a significant step forward in cross-continental cooperation between Kazakh and American universities.
- U.S.-Kazakhstan University Partnership Program: Launched in 2017 by American Councils, this program aims to strengthen educational partnerships between the U.S. and Kazakhstan.
- NUML and Kazakh Institutions: NUML (National University of Modern Languages) has signed agreements with various Kazakh institutions, demonstrating a growing trend in global collaborations.
- Harvard University's Climate Research Funding: While not a direct partnership with Kazakh universities, Harvard University's Salata Institute has provided funding for climate research worldwide, including projects related to Kazakhstan, showcasing U.S. universities' interest in collaborative research initiatives.
Further research may be required to uncover more specific collaborations between Kazakhstan and U.S. universities in the areas of research projects and campus expansions.
- By 2029, Kazakh students may have the opportunity to delve into the field of bioinformatics through collaborative learning with the University of Arizona.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, Kazakh students can look forward to online learning opportunities, as the University of Arizona prepares to establish its presence online in the coming years.
- In the future, one can expect students from Hwan and various other countries to attend a technical university in Zhezkazgan, which is set to be co-founded by the Colorado School of Mines and Kazakhmys Corporation.
- As Kazakhstan strives to become the central hub for education in Asia, it draws the attention of global institutions like South Korea's Hwan, collaborating on initiatives such as mechanical engineering training and joint research projects.
