Semey may soon host an Australian university. Murdoch University is considering opening a branch campus at Shakarim University. The two sides have already begun discussing the future campus model, academic programs and infrastructure requirements, DKNews.kz reports.
The prospects for cooperation were discussed by Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and representatives of Murdoch University. Following the meeting, the Kazakh and Australian universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
Branch Campus Could Be Based at Shakarim University
A final decision on opening a Murdoch University branch campus in Semey has not yet been made. The parties agreed to continue working on the proposal.
The talks covered the possible model for establishing and operating the campus, prospective areas of study, as well as academic, organizational and infrastructure issues.
If the initiative moves forward, the branch campus would be based at Shakarim University.
That regional focus makes the project particularly notable: the Australian university is considering establishing a presence not in Astana or Almaty, but directly in Semey.
Two Universities Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Cooperation will develop in other areas while the branch campus proposal is being considered.
The memorandum provides for joint educational and research initiatives, academic mobility for students and faculty, the development of joint academic programs, and exchanges of experts and researchers.
This means the partnership is not limited to opening a foreign branch campus. Academic and research cooperation between the two universities can develop in parallel.
Senior Representatives of Both Universities Join Talks
Shakarim University was represented by Duman Orynbekov, Chairman of the Board – Rector, and Yerasyl Dulatbay, Board Member – Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Innovation.
Murdoch University was represented by Simon John McKirdy, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement, Peter Mostyn Davies, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Food Futures Institute, and Mohamed Abdulhalek Mohamed Ba, Executive Director of Murdoch University Dubai and Director of Strategic Partnerships.
The composition of the delegation shows that the parties are considering cooperation at several levels, from academic programs and international engagement to the possible establishment of a full-scale foreign branch campus.
Focus Placed on the Needs of Abai Region
A separate part of the discussions focused on priorities relevant to the socio-economic development of Abai Region.
The parties highlighted the training of highly qualified professionals, stronger research capacity and the integration of international expertise into education.
This could also shape the future branch campus: its academic programs would need to reflect both the universities’ capabilities and the region’s demand for skilled professionals.
The partnership could also give Shakarim University students and faculty additional opportunities for academic mobility, joint research and participation in international educational programs.
Australian Campus Project Is Still Under Discussion
Following the meeting, the parties did not announce a specific opening date, a list of academic programs or student admission parameters for the proposed campus.
At this stage, what has been confirmed is the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and further work on the possibility of opening a Murdoch University branch campus in Semey.
The two universities will also continue developing joint educational and research projects.
Shakarim University already has experience with international technology partnerships. Earlier, we reported on the opening of the Huawei ICT Academy at Shakarim University in Semey.
The university’s international agenda could now move to another level: Semey is considering the establishment of a full-scale branch campus of Australia’s Murdoch University. No final decision has been made yet, but the parties are already discussing its operating model, academic priorities and infrastructure.
