Nazarbayev University welcomed a high-level delegation from Hong Kong on June 3, bringing together around 100 representatives of leading companies and media organizations, DKNews.kz reports.
The visit took place as part of the first official trip to Kazakhstan by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China John Lee.
NU sets ambitious global goals
The delegation was welcomed by NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad, who presented the university’s achievements, development strategy and future priorities.
He noted that Nazarbayev University has set an ambitious goal of joining the world’s top 200 universities within the next four years.
«One of the most inspiring examples for us is the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Although it is only 35 years old, it is already regarded as a mature and highly reputable institution, successfully competing with universities that have centuries of history. Such examples motivate us to move forward.»
John Lee highlights NU’s place in history
Speaking at the event, John Lee described Nazarbayev University as a leading center of education and innovation in Eurasia.
He also recalled the university’s role in one of the most significant moments in modern regional cooperation.
«Nazarbayev University has repeatedly been part of landmark events and has entered history for several reasons. One of them was the 2013 visit of President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, when the concept of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt was first publicly proposed within these very walls. That moment became the starting point of the Belt and Road Initiative—a strategy aimed at strengthening connectivity, shared development, and common prosperity.»
Expanding educational cooperation
Hong Kong is the only city in the world with five universities ranked among the global top 100.
According to John Lee, more than 6,000 students from Belt and Road countries are currently enrolled in programs funded by the Hong Kong University Grants Committee.
Among them are around 500 students from Kazakhstan, making Kazakhstani youth one of the largest international student groups within the program.
The visit also marked further progress in academic cooperation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.
New memoranda of understanding were signed with:
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Education University of Hong Kong
The agreements provide for cooperation in student mobility and joint research projects.
In addition, NU and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology launched a joint Bachelor of Business Administration program in Eurasian Business last year.
Cultural ties continue to grow
John Lee noted that people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan are also expanding.
«Every student studying abroad becomes an ambassador of their country and a bridge between cultures. The Kazakhstani community in Hong Kong continues to grow. This will be further supported by the Memoranda of Understanding signed today with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and The Education University of Hong Kong, under which cooperation is planned in student mobility and joint research. I would also like to note that last year NU and HKUST launched a joint Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program in Eurasian Business. All these initiatives demonstrate the high level of higher education cooperation between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.»
He also shared impressions from a traditional Kazakh dinner attended ahead of the visit and welcomed the opening of the first Central Asian cuisine restaurant in Hong Kong.
Why this matters
The visit highlights the growing educational, economic and cultural links between Kazakhstan and Hong Kong.
As cooperation expands through student exchanges, research partnerships and business initiatives, both sides are positioning higher education as an important driver of long-term relations and regional connectivity.
