Kazakhstan is strengthening its position in the global education and research landscape. A delegation from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan held two high-level meetings with the leadership of leading US universities — Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of Arizona — to expand strategic cooperation in education, science, and innovation, DKNews.kz reports.
ASU Partnership: Honor College and InnoTech University
During talks with Arizona State University, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek discussed future areas of partnership and the implementation of joint educational initiatives. The parties focused on two flagship projects scheduled to launch in September 2026.
The first project involves opening a branch of Arizona State University’s Honor College at Auezov University. The initiative aims to introduce advanced academic standards and create programs for highly motivated and academically gifted students, effectively transferring an elite US education model to Kazakhstan.
The second project is the launch of InnoTech University, which will be established in cooperation with private investors and with academic support from ASU under the format InnoTech powered by ASU. The new university will focus on training specialists in innovation, high technologies, and entrepreneurship, aligning with Kazakhstan’s long-term economic priorities.
The discussions covered the phased implementation of the projects, academic models, a portfolio of educational programs, and quality assurance mechanisms. Special attention was given to joint research opportunities, the development of an innovation ecosystem, and technology transfer. Both sides confirmed their strong interest in deepening cooperation and agreed to continue close coordination to ensure timely project launches.
University of Arizona and Kozybayev University: From Pilot to Ecosystem
Minister Nurbek also met with Ricky Salazar, a representative of the University of Arizona, to discuss the development of strategic partnership with Kozybayev University.
What began as a pilot initiative has now evolved into a large-scale academic ecosystem. Currently, the partnership includes:
- 5 double-degree programs
- 11 joint educational programs
More than 1,250 students are enrolled in these programs. In 2026, new programs in business administration, marketing, and advertising are set to be launched, further expanding academic opportunities.
Science with Practical Impact
Scientific cooperation between the universities is also gaining momentum. Joint research is actively developing in the fields of:
- agrogenomics
- bioinformatics
A scientific foundation is being built to develop wheat varieties resilient to the climate conditions of Northern Kazakhstan, using advanced methods of genomic selection and data analysis.
In addition, collaborative projects are underway in areas such as:
- water resource management
- seropolymer technologies
- inclusive education
These initiatives are focused on practical outcomes, strengthening research infrastructure, facilitating technology transfer, and contributing to Kazakhstan’s sustainable development.
What’s Next
The meetings became a continuation of agreements reached at earlier stages of cooperation between Kazakhstani and US universities. They helped align the next steps for implementing educational and research projects and define priority areas for long-term strategic partnership.
Overall, the collaboration is expected to enhance Kazakhstan’s role in the global academic space and support the training of specialists needed for the country’s future innovation-driven economy.
