As part of the program "Revitalization of Mono-Towns in the Context of Creating a New Kazakhstan Based on Territorial Marketing" a scientific research internship was conducted at the Lisbon School of Economics and Management, University of Lisbon (ranked 260th in the QS ranking) from July 6 to 14, 2024. The internship involved scientists from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University: PhD in Economics, Acting Professor Z.B. Akhmetova, PhD in Economics, Acting Professor L.A. Bimendieva, PhD in Economics, Acting Professor J.T. Kozhamkulova, PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) N.A. Tovma, and Senior Lecturer N.B. Shurenov.
The objectives of the business trip were to carry out scientific research on the study of foreign experiences in the development of mono-cities, which are considered small territorial entities, to explore urban governance in Portugal, and to examine the implementation of digital and smart technologies in the economy in various countries, including Portugal.
During the visit, the team met the renowned scientist Alvaro Manuel Reis da Rocha, who has a high Hirsch index of 27. As a result of the trip, the comparative experience of the development of mono-cities, particularly small cities in Portugal and Kazakhstan, was discussed. Opportunities for academic mobility for students, master's students, and doctoral candidates in economic specialties at the Higher School of Economics and Business (HSEB) were also considered. Additionally, the possibility of publishing articles by Portuguese scholars in the "Vestnik KazNU. Economic Series" was discussed. As part of the program "Revitalization of Mono-Towns in the Context of Creating a New Kazakhstan Based on Territorial Marketing" the team also completed a research internship at the University of Minho.
During the internship, lectures and consultations were held by Professor Rui Manuel Dinis De Sousa on the topic: "The Experience of Developing Small Cities in Portugal and Spain". A discussion took place, providing specific answers to questions about the diversification of the urban economy in small cities in Portugal and Spain, including Braga, Guimaraes, Vila, Vigo, and others. Their development experience showed the necessity of diversification through other industries such as textiles, tourism, winemaking, shipbuilding, and fishing.
Furthermore, the leadership of doctoral students from KazNU in economic specialties was discussed. The business trip contributed to enhancing the image of KazNU in international rankings in the following areas:
- Development of cooperation between universities in Portugal (University of Lisbon, University of Minho, SCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa) and KazNU.
- Increasing the recognition of KazNU in the international academic community.
- Expanding the involvement of foreign professors in supervising doctoral students.
- Increasing academic mobility for students, master's students, doctoral candidates, and faculty members.
- Joint publications in high-ranking journals indexed in Scopus, and in the "Vestnik KazNU. Economic Series"
The trip was productive for the scientific study of the experience of diversifying the economies of small cities in Portugal, which can be applied to the mono-cities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as for defining strategies for their development using territorial marketing tools.
Zauresh Akhmetova,
Candidate of Economic Sciences,
Natalia Tovma,
Candidate of Economic Sciences, PhD
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