On January 26, a delegation from Nazarbayev University (NU), led by President Professor Waqar Ahmad, visited two Kazakhstani universities — Abai University and Satbayev University — to strengthen academic and research cooperation. The delegation also included Executive Vice President Aslan Sarinzhipov, Provost Rehan Sadiq, and other senior university officials.
During bilateral meetings, the parties discussed the implementation of joint projects aimed at enhancing faculty professional development. Particular attention was given to opportunities for fostering a research-driven academic community in line with international standards, as well as introducing modular and research-oriented educational practices.
President Ahmad highlighted the contributions of Abai University and Satbayev University to the development of human capital, science, and innovation in the country.
“We were impressed by the impact of these esteemed institutions on talent development, scientific research, and innovation, as well as on equipping students with practical skills across various professional fields. Satbayev University stood out for its active engagement with industry and its commitment to partnership initiatives, including joint educational programs with several universities. Abai University’s contribution to training teaching professionals is crucial for achieving the national goal of improving school education quality. Additionally, the university plays a significant role in generating new knowledge and developing practical skills in the fields of arts and design,” he emphasized.
He also noted NU’s commitment to advancing collaboration with higher education institutions across Kazakhstan. In particular, the NU Graduate School of Education implements sustainable professional development programs and leadership capacity-building initiatives for rectors, vice-rectors, deans, and school directors. Furthermore, NU invests in research development at regional universities through joint research grants, involving researchers from other Kazakhstani universities as co-researchers.“We look forward to further strengthening our partnerships with both universities. These visits mark the beginning of a series of trips that my colleagues and I plan to make to universities across the country,” said Waqar Ahmad.
