Scientific co-operation with the German Research Society
A meeting with representatives of the German Research Society (DFG) was held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University as part of the expansion of scientific co-operation with the Central Asian region.
The purpose of the meeting was to establish contacts with scientific and research institutions, as well as to expand areas of co-operation with Germany. The German delegation visited Al-Farabi KazNU to familiarise themselves with bilateral cooperation projects. The university is considered the strongest and most internationally orientated higher education institution in the country.
As an organisation that funds scientifically oriented basic research, the DFG generally responds to the needs of the German scientific community, in particular by creating framework conditions that enable German researchers to collaborate directly with partners around the world in an international context. The DFG has been expanding its presence in Central Asia for some time now in order to capitalise on the new potential for scientific cooperation in Germany. Al-Farabi KazNU plays an important role in this region.
The meeting was attended by: member of the Board - Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation Zhamila Aitzhanova, representatives of the Science Department, Commercialisation Office, International Cooperation Department, deans of faculties, as well as a German delegation headed by Jörg Schneider - Head of DFG International Relations. The German delegation was represented by Elisa Brekkefelt - Specialist for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of DFG International Relations, Mechtild Köhler - Senior Assistant for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of DFG International Relations, Cosima Schuster - Programme Director for Engineering Sciences of DFG and Peter Liebelt - Head of the Central Asian Sustainable Innovation Bureau (CASIB) office in Almaty.
The purpose of the visit to Al-Farabi KazNU is to strengthen bilateral scientific co-operation at the institutional level. On this occasion, the university organised a hybrid information event with more than 100 stakeholders for all faculties. German colleagues presented their institutes, met with potential partner institutes and demonstrated research developments.
The participants also identified possible thematic areas for future cooperation: these also serve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and were mentioned as priority research areas in the EU-Central Asia strategy (energy security, climate protection, environment, health and digitalisation). The DFG is already funding research projects in these areas together with Kazakh partners.
Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
