A new chapter in international scientific cooperation was opened today in London during the Bett Show UK 2026, one of the world’s largest exhibitions of educational technologies. East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbayev (EKTU) and the Institute of Archaeology at University College London (UCL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing long-term research collaboration, DKNews.kz reports.
The document was signed by Saule Rakhmetullina, Rector of EKTU, and Kevin MacDonald, Director of the UCL Institute of Archaeology. The Institute is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading research centers in archaeometallurgy and interdisciplinary archaeological studies, making the agreement a significant step for Kazakhstan’s academic community.
Two major projects, one shared scientific vision
The partnership is built around two large-scale research projects focused on the study of Eurasian Bronze Age metallurgy.
The first is the international DREAM project, supported by the European Research Council (ERC) and hosted at UCL under the leadership of Miljana Radivojević, one of the world’s leading specialists in archaeometallurgy.
The second is a Kazakhstan-based project titled “Tin Mines of East Kazakhstan in the System of Ancient Eurasian Metallurgy”, currently being implemented at EKTU with the support of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, under the leadership of Evgeny Vodyasov.
Both projects share a common goal: to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role played by the Eurasian Steppe in the development of ancient metallurgy, the formation of transregional trade networks, and technological innovation during the Bronze Age.
From fieldwork to global scientific publications
The signed memorandum provides for joint field and laboratory research, preparation of international scientific publications, exchange of expertise between researchers, and the organization of joint scientific events and workshops.
Special emphasis within the partnership will be placed on the development of archaeometallurgy, one of the fastest-growing fields in global archaeology. This discipline lies at the intersection of archaeology, materials science, chemistry, and digital technologies, and is increasingly important for understanding early technological societies.
Strengthening Kazakhstan’s position in global science
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan views the agreement as an important step toward strengthening international scientific partnerships and integrating Kazakhstan’s research more deeply into the global academic landscape.
Experts note that such collaborations not only enhance the country’s scientific visibility but also create new opportunities for young researchers, facilitate the transfer of advanced methodologies, and position Kazakhstan as a key contributor to global studies of early Eurasian civilizations.
The memorandum signed in London clearly demonstrates Kazakhstan’s growing presence in the international scientific arena and highlights the country’s ambition to connect regional research with global scientific agendas.
