During the visit, Acting President, Provost Dr. Ilesanmi Adesida and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Loretta O’Donnell took part in a round table, where the participants discussed the beginning of the new academic year at ARU, the launch of the Heriot-Watt University branch, and learned more about both universities.
The UK Ambassador Kathy Leach, Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, Aktobe region governor Askhat Shakharov, and Heriot-Watt University Vice-Principal and Provost Mark Biggs were the honorary guests at the event. The round table participants expressed support for the project of establishing the branch, stating that it will become a new direction in the relations between the countries, as well as a driver of modernization and transformation of ARU.
“Heriott-Watt is an excellent university and it is wonderful that they are collaborating with Zhubanov University to provide international-level education to young Kazakh citizens who are future leaders of the country,” noted Dr. Adesida in his speech.
As part of the visit, the NU delegation also visited the renovated building of the Heriot-Watt branch and toured computer engineering, electric power engineering, and oil and gas engineering labs, which will be used by 300 students newly enrolled in the three bachelor degrees offered at the branch. NU representatives got to talk to Heriot-Watt University professors and students, as well as learn about the work of the ARU Research Center for Radiation Materials, Student Service Center, and Technopark.
It is worth noting that Dr. Laura Karabasova, ARU rector since 2021, is a graduate of NU’s Graduate School of Education (GSE) doctoral program. Prior to her appointment at ARU, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at NU, supervised doctoral students, and participated in several educational and analytical projects. Dr. Karabasova is also the author of books and scientific articles published in international journals included in the Scopus database with a Hirsch index of 4 (h-index).
Following the visit to Aktobe, representatives of NU and ARU reiterated their commitment to continued cooperation and exchange of experience in research and education.
