International Summer School “Silk Road”: A New Stage of Scientific, Educational and Intercultural Cooperation

From July 25 to August 3, 2026, the International Summer School “Silk Road” on Scientific and Pedagogical Professional Development was held at the campus of Zhengzhou University in Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China. Faculty members and doctoral students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University took part in the Summer School.

The International Summer School was aimed at strengthening scientific, educational and intercultural cooperation among higher education institutions in China, Central Asia and Russia, as well as promoting academic exchange and professional networking.

An important foundation for the implementation of the project was the official visit of Zeyinabil Smailkhanovich Aidarbekov, Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, to Zhengzhou University from May 10 to 17, 2026. During the visit, Professor Aidarbekov delivered a series of lectures on geopolitical issues and discussed prospects for further scientific and educational cooperation with Chinese colleagues.

The organizational support of Nurzhan Baitemirov, Chairman of the Association of Silk Road Universities and Consulting Companies, also played an important role in strengthening bilateral academic ties. Following the meetings, agreements were reached on the implementation of joint academic projects between Zhengzhou University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Based on these agreements, the Institute of Foreign Languages and International Relations of Zhengzhou University, together with the Department of Philosophy and the Institute for Advanced Training and Additional Education of Al-Farabi KazNU, organized the International Summer School “Silk Road”.

The 72-hour academic programme covered research methodology and academic writing, digital pedagogy, the use of artificial intelligence in education, intercultural communication, the development of international research projects, and contemporary issues in higher education. Alongside the academic sessions, a cultural programme was also organized.

Professors, lecturers, researchers and doctoral students from Kazakhstan, China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Russia participated in the International Summer School. A total of 26 participants were actively involved in the academic programme.

Kazakhstan was represented by Zeyinabil Smailkhan, Professor of the Department of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy; Associate Professor Pirimbek Suleimenov; Perizat Yeleubayeva, Professor and Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences; Akmaral Doszhanova, doctoral student of the Department of Philosophy; Fariza Sarsembayeva, doctoral student of the Department of Sinology; Shynar Seitnur, doctoral student of the Department of Far Eastern Studies; as well as other faculty members of the University.

As part of the Summer School, lectures and master classes were delivered by Professor Wei Chuxiong of the University of Washington and Semed Abakaevich, Doctor of Philosophy and Head of the Department of International Cooperation at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

Participants exchanged research experience and teaching methodologies and discussed such topical issues as artificial intelligence, digitalization, academic writing and international scientific cooperation.

The participation of faculty members and doctoral students of the Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science in the International Summer School contributed to presenting the Faculty’s academic potential at the international level, establishing professional contacts with foreign colleagues and creating new opportunities for the development of joint research projects.

Participants who successfully completed the programme requirements were awarded professional development certificates in Russian and Chinese.