Kazakhstan and the European Union are elevating their scientific and educational partnership to a new level. A number of strategic areas were discussed in Belgium by Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, Eduards Stiprais, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Borys Budka, and European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva. The parties discussed the participation of Kazakh universities and research centers in international research programs, as well as the launch of joint innovation startups. The main outcome was Kazakhstan’s readiness to join Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research funding programme.
«An academic hub is taking shape in Kazakhstan, with around 40 major partners and 33 branches of foreign universities already in place. Of these, seven are European institutions, including two leading Belgian universities. We are also participating in European programmes on critical minerals and metals, including a €385 million project the country plans to join. Our participation in the Horizon Europe programme opens up new opportunities for funding domestic universities and research institutions,» Nurbek said.
During talks with Belgian universities, discussions also covered the development of joint research, academic mobility and educational programmes, the launch of scientific internships, the development of applied solutions, and training personnel for high-tech industries. These and other topics were also addressed at the latest meeting of the Shanyraq Dialogues platform. Belgian partners confirmed their intention to implement concrete scientific projects.
«We had a very fruitful discussion
about the possibilities.
We
learn about the typical
research projects in, for example, green hydrogen, nuclear technologies,
biotechnologies, and raw materials of course. Kazakhstan is probably on
the top level of scientific development, technological development,» said
Rony Snyders, professor at the University of Mons.
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