Welcome Day for Kozybayev University and University of Arizona Dual Degree Program Students

Kozybayev University hosted the Welcome Day Dual Degree Students 2026 ceremony for first-year students enrolled in the dual degree programs. It was a day when students took their first step on an international educational journey and became part of the larger academic community of two universities.

The ceremony opened with a vibrant student flash mob and greetings in Kazakh and English. University leadership, faculty members, alumni, and representatives of the University of Arizona joined the first-year students in celebrating this special occasion.

A delegation from the University of Arizona arrived in Petropavlovsk, led by Ricky Salazar, Senior Director for Central and South Asia at Arizona International. The delegation included representatives of the university’s academic units: Dr. Samantha Orchard, Dr. Sarah Rafi-Hynde, Lauren Findlow, Min Zhou, and Jane Comden.

Gulzat Kobenova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Julie M. Stufft, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, addressed the students with video messages.

Yerbol Issakayev, Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector of Kozybayev University, wished the first-year students confidence in making the most of international education opportunities, expanding their knowledge, implementing projects, and creating their own success stories.

A special moment of the ceremony was the presentation of symbolic certificates and dual degree program merchandise. New students were congratulated by representatives of the University of Arizona, as well as first-cohort graduates Kristina Borisova and Amir Agzamov, who shared their educational experiences.

Today, the dual degree programs bring together students in the following fields: information technology, biotechnology, business and management, and education.

The partnership between Kozybayev University and the University of Arizona began in 2022. Over four years, it has grown into a large-scale academic platform:

• more than 1,500 students are enrolled in partnership programs;
• the number of dual degree students has grown from 42 in 2022 to 475 today;
• the first 31 graduates have already received degrees from both universities.

This year, the university welcomed around 3,000 new students, bringing the total student population to more than 8,000. Today, Kozybayev University is home to young people from 24 countries around the world.

Welcome to the Dual Degree family!