Forum of universities of China and Central Asian countries was held in KazNU

The Forum on Cooperation in Higher Education of China-Central Asia "Fourth Industrial Revolution: Integration of Industry and Education", timed to the 10th anniversary of the initiative "One Belt - One Road", started at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

The event was attended by: Advisor to the President of Kazakhstan Malik Otarbayev, Vice-Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan Darhan Akhmet-Zaki, Consul General of the PRC in Almaty Jiang Wei, President of Xi'an Jiaotong University Wang Shuguo, Chairman of the Board - Rector of KazNU named after Al-Farabi Zhanseit Tuimebaev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KazNU Kairat Mami. Al-Farabi Zhanseit Tuimebaev, Chairman of the Board of Directors of KazNU Kairat Mami, representatives of consular offices, universities of PRC and Central Asia, scientists, faculty and students of the university.

Malik Otarbayev read out the welcome letter of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kasym-Jomart Tokayev to the participants of the forum.

"Forum "The Fourth Industrial Revolution: Integration of Industry and Education" becomes a bridge between the academic world and industry, allowing to share knowledge and experience. I would like to thank you for your interest in innovation and desire for development. KazNU is the main driving force of the country, which leads society to the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution", - said in the address of the Head of State.

Opening the Forum, Chairman of the Board - Rector of KazNU named after Al-Farabi Zhanseit Tuimebayev in his speech emphasized the importance of the new strategy of economic development "One Belt - One Road", aimed at creating infrastructure and building bridges between Europe and Asia.

"On May 17, 2023, the Central Asia-China Summit was held for the first time in the People's Republic of China. Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan participated in the meeting.  In continuation of this summit, today KazNU hosts a forum of universities of China and Central Asia.  This measure is aimed at expanding cooperation between universities in the field of education and science. The "One Belt - One Road" program is of great importance in the development of cooperation between Central Asian countries and China. It contributes to the creation of infrastructure, establishing links between the countries of Europe and Asia. KazNU, being one of the oldest higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, permanently leading the Global Hub of the UN Program "Academic Impact" on sustainability, opened its branches in Istanbul and Bishkek. Two days ago on the basis of KazNU successfully held the opening ceremony of the representative office of the North-West Polytechnic University of Xi'an".

KazNU closely cooperates with universities of Uzbekistan Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan. A total of 39 international agreements have been concluded, on the basis of which 275 students from CA countries study in KazNU on academic mobility.  The university cooperates with more than fifty higher educational institutions and organizations of China.

Vice-Minister of Science and Higher Education of RK Darhan Ahmed-Zaki made a welcoming speech to the participants. In his speech he noted: "In the era of digital world - universities play an important role in the development and application of innovations and technologies. In this direction, Kazakhstani universities are working on the introduction of innovative technologies in the educational and scientific-innovation process.

We would like to emphasize the innovative projects implemented at the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi. We know the developments in the field of information systems, spacecrafts for educational institutions, machine vision system, etc. Two projects in the field of green economy and environmental protection, monitoring of land degradation and desertification processes for sustainable land use. These topics can give a start for new projects".

At the forum, Wang Shuguo, president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, said: "Now is the time of technology development. The fields of science are changing day by day, new technologies are emerging. Therefore, higher education institutions of China and Central Asia should jointly quickly master the changes and keep up with the times. Our countries maintain friendly relations. We all have the same goal. At present, we must adapt to changes in science and education," he shared.

The event was also addressed by: Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Almaty Jiang Wei, Consul General of Tajikistan Ravshan Bobokhonzoda, Consul General of Uzbekistan Abdurahim Kayumov, Rector of the Academy of Management under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Almazbek Akmataliev.

The work of the forum continued within the framework of panel sessions, where participants discussed strategic issues and directions of development of higher education in Central Asia and China.

At the end of the forum, the Consensus on the results of the forum was signed and the next chairing university was selected.

Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University