Nazarbayev University (NU) and Sejong University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance academic exchange and expand collaborative research and educational initiatives. The signing ceremony took place during NU’s visit to Seoul, South Korea, where Provost Professor Rehan Sadiq and Acting Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Professor Zhumabay Bakenov represented the University at the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Executives’ Meeting, held from November 25 to 28.
From Sejong University, the MoU was signed by President Jonghwa Eom, with Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. Haeyoung Jung and Professor Jongwan Jung, Head of the Department of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials Engineering, also in attendance.
The partnership aims to enhance academic and cultural exchange through shared resources, joint research, and best-practice collaboration. The two universities agreed to pursue joint work in materials science, energy materials, and related fields; facilitate researcher and student exchanges; co-supervise graduate students; and develop joint publications, conferences, symposia, and workshops.
“This is an outstanding partnership. Sejong University is among the world’s top 70 institutions for Research Quality, ranking first in South Korea on this metric. I hope this MoU will lead to meaningful, substantial cooperation, especially in research,” said NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad.
NU already maintains strong ties with several universities in South Korea. In addition to NU’s Korean Studies Center in the School of Sciences and Humanities, Associate Professor Aishuak Konarov collaborates with Korean counterparts on energy-storage materials, while Assistant Professor Ahmed Elkamhawy works with an international team on developing new melanoma treatments. According to Professor Bakenov, four NU graduates are currently pursuing PhD degrees at Sejong University with full financial support from Sejong, funded by Professor Seung-Taek Myung (h-index 100).
“This collaboration further connects NU with a dynamic and internationally recognized institution. We are confident that this strengthened institutional framework will generate new opportunities for joint research, academic exchange, and shared initiatives. We look forward to advancing this partnership together with colleagues at NU and the team at Sejong led by Prof. Myung, including our NU alumni studying there,” added Professor Bakenov.
NU continues to expand its global network: this year, the University has signed new agreements with Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology and Sungkyunkwan University, further deepening its partnerships in South Korea.
