Energy of the Future and Smart Technologies: the BRI Conference Started at NU
Nazarbayev University (NU) is hosting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Conference on Sustainable Energy Materials and Intelligent Technologies. The event was organized in cooperation with NU’s partner universities in China.
The event was officially opened by Liping Niu, First Secretary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad; and SEDS Dean Elizabeth Arkhangelsky.
The event brought together leading researchers, industry experts, and representatives of government bodies from BRI partner countries to discuss global energy challenges, showcase advanced innovations, and develop cross-border scientific cooperation.
In his welcoming speech to the participants of the conference, NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad noted the great importance of the topic under discussion:
“It is a great honor for me to welcome all of you to NU and to this important Belt and Road Initiative Conference on Sustainable Energy Materials and Intelligent Technologies — an area of global significance in science and education, where we possess significant competences and depth of knowledge. I am confident that the discussions and cooperation over the next three days will make a long-term contribution to the partnership between Kazakhstan and China and to our joint efforts to build a more sustainable and interconnected future.”
The conference is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of NU and underlines the role of the university as a center of regional diplomacy and international academic exchange. Within the framework of the conference, participants will discuss advanced areas such as:
- Sustainable renewable energy sources, photovoltaic technologies, and energy storage technologies
- Triboelectric nanogenerators and smart materials
- Robotics and intelligent systems
Among the academic partners of the conference are Beihang University, Soochow University, Shenzhen Technology University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and leading universities of Kazakhstan.
The historical connection of NU with the BRI dates back to 2013, when President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping first presented the concept of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” at NU. This historic event established NU as a key symbol of cooperation between China and Kazakhstan.
