Minister of
Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek held a series of meetings with
university leaders and representatives of scientific and technological
organizations during visits to Tokyo and Seoul.
In Tokyo, Nurbek
met with representatives of Tokyo Metropolitan University and the United
Nations University (UNU).
During talks with
Tokyo Metropolitan University President Takaya Ohashi, the
sides discussed academic mobility, exchanges between researchers and
faculty members, as well as joint educational and research projects. Nurbek
also invited Ohashi to attend the Strategic Partners Forum, which is scheduled
to take place in Astana in November.
Nurbek also met
with UNU Rector and UN Under-Secretary-General Professor Tshilidzi Marwala.
Their discussions focused on cooperation in science, higher education, research
and sustainable development, as well as possible ways to expand UNU’s presence
in Kazakhstan. Marwala accepted an invitation to participate in the upcoming
forum in Astana.
In Seoul, Nurbek
held talks with South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and
ICT Bae Kyung-hoon. The discussions covered cooperation in science, higher
education and artificial intelligence, including technology transfer, joint
research and specialist training.
A key issue was
the proposed establishment of a branch of the Korea Advanced Institute of
Science and Technology (KAIST) in Kazakhstan. The initiative is intended to
strengthen training in artificial intelligence, digital technologies and
engineering while supporting joint research and innovation projects.
Nurbek also met
with KAIST Vice President Jaemin Jung to discuss further steps in developing
educational and research projects, academic mobility and cooperation in AI and
digital technologies.
The Kazakh
minister additionally held meetings with representatives of Seoul National
University and Korea University. The sides discussed academic exchanges, joint
research and specialist training in medicine, engineering, information
technology and other priority fields. Both universities already have
partnership projects with Kazakh higher education institutions.
Another area of
cooperation is the development of dual-degree programs. Seoul Cyber University
currently works with Q University, Almaty Humanitarian-Economic University, and
MNU on partnership initiatives.
In particular, Q
University and Seoul Cyber University are developing a Computer Science
dual-degree program under a 1+2+1 model. Almaty Humanitarian-Economic
University and Seoul Cyber University also plan to launch a
dual-degree program in Information Security and Artificial Intelligence, using
the same model.
Following the
meetings, the sides agreed to further develop academic mobility, joint
research, dual-degree programs, technology transfer and specialist training in
priority scientific and technological fields.