On December 10, 2019, Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University Dr. Galimkair Mutanov as part of his visit to Riyadh met with Dr. Abdul Aziz Alsebail, the Secretary-General of the Committee of the King Faisal Prize and Mr. Turki Al-Shuwaier, the Secretary-General of the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies. H.E. Mr. Berik Aryn, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia, also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the parties discussed ways to establish cooperation in the field of education, research activities in the area of Human and Islamic Sciences, as well as an exchange of experience and internships on expertise and identification of the value of ancient manuscripts and rare books.
Dr. Mutanov informed his counterparts about the activities and achievements of his University, the education system in Kazakhstan, as well as on the measures taken in Kazakhstan to improve the level of education and support young scientists.
Rector of University also noted the role of the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev in the development of science and education in Kazakhstan, as well as his active contribution to the processes of modernization and scientific and technical development of the Islamic world. In particular, he underlined the initiatives of Nursultan Nazarbayev within the framework of the OIC, including the establishment of the “OIC-15 Dialogue platform” on science and technology, where Al-Farabi University takes an active part in the implementation of this initiative.
Besides, he informed that next year, large-scale events to be held in Kazakhstan dedicated to the 1150th Anniversary of the great thinker and scientist Abu Nasr Al-Farabi and the 175th Anniversary of Abay, the famous Kazakh writer.
In this context, Dr. Mutanov expressed the University’s readiness to actively participate in the Scientific and Practical Conference in Riyadh that is dedicated to these anniversaries and to be organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Saudi Arabia in cooperation with the King Faisal Center. They also agreed to organize an exhibition of ancient Islamic science.
In his turn, Mr. Turki Al-Shuwaier, informed on the activities of his Center, in particular, he told about the priority areas in preserving the world heritage of humankind, such as conducting research, organizing various events in the form of seminars, forums, and museum exhibitions, as well as preservation of ancient books and manuscripts.
The Kazakhstan delegation also visited the Center’s Library and reviewed the process of preservation and restoration of ancient manuscripts, among which rare writings of the medieval scientist of Central Asia.
Mr. Turki Al-Shuwaier noted that the Center has rich experience in these areas and is ready to share it with the Kazakh side.
Generally speaking, representatives of the King Faisal foundation expressed interest in further maintaining contacts with Kazakhstan and praised the role of Central Asian scientists in the “Arab Renaissance,” which made a considerable contribution to the development of global science, medicine, philosophy, literature, etc. In this regard, Saudi side expressed interest in nominating for the Faisal Prize, both Kazakhstani scientists, and politicians.
Following the meetings, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Al-Farabi University and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, which aims to strengthen scientific and research cooperation, including through the organization of mutual visits at various levels.
Moreover, as a token of friendship and a high level of trust between Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia, Kazakh side presented to the Fund of Library of the King Faisal Center the books of the First President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev and the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, devoted to the stages of formation of modern Kazakhstan, its domestic and foreign policy, economy and other vital activities and dimensions of the State.
