KazNARU ACTIVELY DEVELOPS COOPERATION WITH AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES
A delegation from the United States visited the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University. The American Council for International Education organized the visit in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
The delegation included Chad Kinnear , Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Almaty, Maksat Koshkarbayev, University Partnership Program Specialist, Dr Virginia Martin, Partnership Coordinator in the International Projects Office (IPO) at UW-Madison, Dr Jennifer Kushner, Director of CALS Global at UW-Madison, Daniel Langer, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business Services/Honorary Administrator at UW-Madison, and others.
✅ The primary objective of the visit was to gain a comprehensive understanding of the academic and research accomplishments of Kazakh National Agrarian University (KazNARU), a leading institution in the field of agriculture and natural resources. In addition to acquainting ourselves with the university's research agenda and academic offerings, our aim was to explore opportunities for strengthening educational partnerships, promoting faculty and student exchanges, and collaborating on joint research initiatives. We were particularly interested in exploring the potential for joint research projects that would leverage the expertise of both institutions. Overall, the visit was an enriching experience that deepened our knowledge of KazNARU's capabilities and laid the groundwork for potential future collaborations.
✅ Chairman of the Board - Rector of KazNARU, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, Academician Akhylbek Kazhigulovich Kurishbaev made a welcoming speech and stressed that the US-Kazakhstan University Partnership Program creates the potential for significant international interaction between higher education institutions of the United States and Kazakhstan, as well as joint work to promote information technology, sustainable development, digitalization, STEM-related.
"Kazakhstan National Agrarian University (KazNARU) has recently intensified its international cooperation in higher education to establish and develop partnerships with universities in the United States. As a part of this initiative, a meeting was held with the representatives of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln - a leader in the development and implementation of projects, research, and development in the field of agro-technology. Kazakhstan is one of the largest agro-industrial countries in the world, and the agro-industrial sector directly affects not only the country's domestic resources but also its reputation in foreign markets. Therefore, it is our pleasure to extend an invitation to collaborate on joint educational programs and scientific research, specifically in the field of agriculture. We believe that this partnership will prove beneficial to both parties and lead to significant advancements in the field.", - said the head of the University Akhylbek Kurishbayev.
✅ In turn, Dr Karen Evans-Romain, Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), spoke. She stressed that the main goals and objectives of the programme are to establish partnerships with Kazakhstani universities, strengthen cooperation between faculty in research, and support efforts to reform higher education in Kazakhstan.
✅ Maksat Koshkarbayev, Programme Specialist, spoke on behalf of the American Councils and provided detailed information on the activities of the American Council for International Education. This organisation brings together US and Kazakhstani universities and provides each selected partnership with a grant to support their joint activities.
For example, to date, the American Council has awarded 42 grants to partnerships that:
- Increase research collaboration in agriculture, renewable energy, information technology, and/or other STEM-related fields.
- Enhance governance, financial planning and management, and institutional capacity building of Kazakhstani universities, including, but not limited to, enhancing the capacity of Kazakhstani universities to partner or develop relationships with the private sector or local industry.
✅ Rafis Abazov, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Strategic Development of KazNARU, also spoke. During the discussion, he placed emphasis on the university's keen interest in updating and improving its existing training programs, with a specific focus on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, information technology, and other STEM-related fields. The university is committed to modernizing its educational offerings so students are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in today's rapidly evolving job market.
During the meeting, the parties agreed to deepen further the fruitful and mutually beneficial co-operation on information and consulting support in the field of higher and postgraduate education and science.
✅ Rector of KazNARU Akhylbek Kurishbaev was invited to visit the University of Wisconsin-Madison to get acquainted with the latest research of the University on breeding work (especially on root plants, ticks as potatoes), as well as on the work of Extension Centres, which in the United States create an effective bridge between science and farmers.
✅ The US delegation visited the Institute for Work with Wageningen University and the Laboratory of Microclonal Propagation of Plants and Trees and thanked the leadership of KazNARU for a constructive and useful meeting.
KazNARU Press Service.
