Agricultural Joint Projects Reaching New Heights

Today, Kozybayev University hosted a delegation from the Northwest A&F University of China — one of our key strategic partners. Professor Zhang Zhengmao, a long-time friend of ours, attended a meeting with the university’s leadership, where he emphasized that the main goal of this visit would be “fieldwork.” Plans include launching experiments in the Agrotechnical Park, continuing work in the area of plant breeding, and visiting a field previously sown together.

“We have been close partners for years. Over the course of 8 years, cooperation between our universities has become more substantial. Today, Shaanxi Province and the North Kazakhstan Region are officially sister regions, which facilitates the development of our collaboration. We already have a joint demonstration site, academic research and an active student exchange are underway. The goal now is to deepen our interaction in areas such as the agricultural park, livestock farming, and water management,” emphasized Professor Zhang Zhengmao.

The delegation also included Professor Chen Liang, Director of the “One Belt One Road” Agricultural Initiative Center, and a media group from Shaanxi Radio and Television.

“Thanks to the friendly relations between Kazakhstan and China, supported by the heads of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Xi Jinping, we have the opportunity to conduct joint scientific research, exchange ideas, and foster collaboration between our universities. Just last year, Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region Ghauyez Nurmukhambetov visited Shaanxi Province, where he met with the provincial governor and signed cooperation memoranda. We regularly meet with the Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, who consistently expresses interest in how our collaboration is progressing and what joint research is being conducted. With such support, we are now developing an initiative to establish a Kazakhstan-China Agro-Competency Center for agricultural research based at Kozybayev University. The center would provide support to regional enterprises, conducting research based on their needs. The results of such tripartite scientific projects (Kozybayev University – Northwest A&F University – agricultural enterprises) will be implemented into practice,” said Yerbol Issakayev, Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector.

At present, active work is being carried out in joint laboratories for plant biotechnology and livestock science. Research in virus-free seed production and genetics is underway. A tripartite agreement with the University of Arizona has been signed to establish a Water Resources Center. Each year, our students and faculty undergo academic training and internships in China. Currently, two faculty members are pursuing doctoral studies at Northwest A&F University, two students are participating in academic mobility programs, and six Chinese graduate students are studying at our university. In total, over the course of our cooperation, more than 30 students and 10 faculty members from Kozybayev University have received training at our partner university in China.