The International Innovation Center of AlgaBioTech
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is strengthening its position as a leading research center in Central Asia by creating international collaborations to address current global challenges.
One of the significant steps in this direction was the establishment of the Kazakh-Japanese-Chinese Research Center AlgaBioTech. The implementation of this ambitious project became possible thanks to the active support of the university’s rector, Zhanseit Tuimebayev, who pays special attention to the development of international scientific collaboration and the introduction of advanced technologies.
The AlgaBioTech Center is intended to become a leading platform for the development of innovative solutions in the fields of bioenergy, ecology, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. Its activities unite the scientific efforts of leading research institutes and industrial partners. The center’s key international partners include the Tokyo University of Science, which has strong potential in bioengineering and photobiotechnology, as well as the Chinese pharmaceutical corporation Kelun, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies.
The head of the AlgaBioTech Center, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, and Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, Bolatkhan Kazyhanovich Zayadan, presented the main areas of the Center’s work, emphasizing its strategic importance for scientific progress and technological development in Kazakhstan. AlgaBioTech opens new horizons for addressing critical global challenges such as climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.
One of the Center’s main assets is a unique collection of phototrophic microorganism cultures (CC KazNU) in Kazakhstan, which includes more than 60 strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria. This collection has no analogs in the country and represents a valuable scientific heritage, contributing to the development of new technologies in biotechnology, medicine, and agriculture.
The Center’s scientific activities already include the implementation of five significant research projects, and in the future, a substantial expansion of international collaborations is expected. Moreover, AlgaBioTech will become an important educational platform, providing training for a new generation of scientists. Master’s and PhD students will have a unique opportunity to work with advanced technologies and participate in significant research, thereby preparing highly demanded professionals in biotechnology, bioenergy, and ecology.
The establishment of the AlgaBioTech Center not only expands the scientific potential of KazNU but also strengthens its international influence, contributing to integration into the global scientific community. This is an important step towards transforming the university into a leading scientific hub in the region, playing a key role in shaping a sustainable future for Kazakhstan and the world.
Aida Kistaubayeva
PhD, Associate Professor, Acting Director of the Department of Science and Innovation Activities
Ardak Kakimova
PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology
