The Winter School between the Department of Chinese Studies and Xiamen University Has Commenced

On January 12, 2026, the Winter School organized by the Department of Chinese Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies officially commenced its work. Held in an offline format, the program titled “Dialogue of Cultures: Kazakhstan and China” brings together more than 30 students from Xiamen University (PRC).

The Winter School program covers a wide range of topics related to the history of the Great Silk Road and the Kazakh people, as well as Kazakh traditional beliefs, national customs, cuisine, traditional clothing, and folk games. Currently, there is a growing interest among international students in Kazakh culture. Based on a preliminary survey, the program was carefully designed in accordance with the interests and expectations of the Chinese students.

Faculty members of the Department of Chinese Studies prepared a series of special educational lectures aimed at introducing Chinese students to the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

The main objective of the course is to deepen the study of cultural, historical, and social ties between Kazakhstan and China, strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation between the youth of the two countries, develop intercultural communication skills, enhance the role of cultural diplomacy in the contemporary context, and further establish and expand educational and academic cooperation with Chinese universities.

At the opening ceremony, Deputy Head of the Department of Chinese Studies for Academic, Methodological, and Educational Affairs, Yerzhan Kerimbayev, noted that Kazakhstan–China relations have reached the level of strategic partnership, particularly in the fields of education and science, which have seen significant growth in recent years. He emphasized that the Winter School is a result of the fruitful cooperation between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Chinese universities.

Professor Zeng from Xiamen University, who led the group of Chinese students, also expressed confidence that the course would significantly contribute to strengthening educational, academic, and cultural ties between the two universities.

The Winter School will run until January 26.