Nazarbayev University Strengthens Regional Engagement: Kozybayev University Becomes Its First Partner

A meeting was held at the Akimat of the North Kazakhstan Region between Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region Gauyez Nurmukhambetov, President of Nazarbayev University Waqar Ahmad, and the leadership of Kozybayev University. North Kazakhstan became the first region visited by the NU delegation as part of its working trip across the country to develop cooperation with regional universities.

The key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between Kozybayev University and Nazarbayev University. The document provides for joint educational and research projects, academic mobility, workforce training, technology transfer, and the commercialization of research developments.

“For us, it is important not only to train specialists to meet the current needs of the economy, but also to develop our own scientific and technological competencies. We want to combine the region’s potential with the capabilities of the country’s leading universities,” said Gauyez Nurmukhambetov, Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region.

The region’s economy currently requires more than 4,200 specialists. In this context, cooperation between universities and businesses and the development of new competencies are becoming increasingly important.

Kozybayev University presented seven areas for joint work: artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, agrogenomics, water resources, environmental monitoring, new materials, and remote sensing. The focus is on practical solutions for agriculture, water monitoring, and the assessment of natural risks.

President of Nazarbayev University Waqar Ahmad noted Kozybayev University’s research and infrastructure potential and emphasized the importance of cooperation with regional universities in research, innovation, and technological development.

The parties also discussed trilateral cooperation between Kozybayev University, Nazarbayev University, and the University of Arizona.

“It is important for us that cooperation begins with specific tasks that are relevant to the region. We see opportunities for joint work among researchers and for implementing projects with practical outcomes,” emphasized Yerbol Issakayev, Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector of Kozybayev University.

The next stage will involve forming joint research teams, selecting projects, and determining funding mechanisms and implementation timelines.