Kazakhstan establishes Council for Strategic Partnership with foreign universities
The Council for Strategic Partnership has been set up in Kazakhstan as part of the country’s cooperation with foreign universities, Deputy Prime Minister Tamara Duissenova said during a meeting with the heads of foreign universities, Primeminister.kz reports.
Under the Head of State’s instruction, Kazakhstan actively works to establish a strategic partnership with the world’s top universities. So far, branches of 23 foreign universities have been opened in different regions of Kazakhstan.
Addressing the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Duissenova highlighted the interest of the Kazakhstani side in strengthening ties.
It's important to discuss and jointly develop suggestions for promoting cooperation. I believe that it’s necessary to maintain this format of work and jointly address emerging issues. In this regard, it’s proposed to set up the Council to work with strategic partners under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The Council is set to act as a permanent platform for exchanging views and searching innovative solutions, considering the interests of all members, said the Deputy Prime Minister.
During the meeting, the need for unified strategic partnership rules was noted, with academic and managerial freedom of universities preserved.
Tamara Duissenova pointed out that comprehensive partnership will focus on promoting scientific research and transferring advanced educational programs and teaching methods, leading to high standards of education. She went on to add that cooperation within joint scientific projects will be continued.
The Law on science and technological policy opens additional opportunities in this direction. For us, it’s important to use scientific achievements for the greater good of the economy, leading to greater competitiveness. Research universities play a key role in this process, said Duissenova.
At the meeting, the representatives of foreign universities backed the idea of the establishment of the Council and introduction of unified strategic partnership rules.
I support the idea of university ranking formation. Competition is the basis for development, said Heriot-Watt University provost Mark Biggs.
The branch of Heriot-Watt University operates at the Zhubanov Aktobe University.
Joint work on preparation of specialists is important for us. We’re also keen on deepening cooperatin in scientific and research activities, said vice-rector of the National Research Nuclear University of the Russian Federation (MEPhI) Dmitry Savkin.
Earlier, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out in his address to the participants of the international conference Connected-2024 that Kazakhstan is actively engaged in creation of an academic hub in collaboration with leading foreign universities.
