Member of the Board of Directors of INALCO, Sorbonne University (France)

Catherine Pujol visited Abai KazNPU

On October 12, 2021, Abai KazNPU received a friendly visit of a member of the Board of Directors of INALCO, Sorbonne University (France), a professor of Central Asian History at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations INALCO, head of the Centre for Russian and Eurasian Studies at INALCO, doctor of historical sciences Catherine Pujol.

From the French side the meeting was also attended by Consul General of France in Kazakhstan Alexis Shakhtakhtinsky and Director of the Sorbonne Institute of Kazakhstan of Abai KazNPU Christine Bouteuillet. The French delegation was received by Darkhan Bilyalov, Chairman of the Board - Rector of Abai KazNPU.

During the meeting the results and further prospects of cooperation between the Sorbonne Institute-Kazakhstan and INALCO University (France) were discussed. Thus, Catherine Pujol noted that the Sorbonne Institute-Kazakhstan is the greatest event of successful cooperation between our countries through education and joint scientific cooperation.

In turn Alexis Shakhtakhtinsky has noted that the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute, opened by the First President of Kazakhstan - Elbasy N.A. Nazarbayev and the ex-President of France F.Hollande, is an important joint project, which in full measure falls into a context of development of system of the world higher education. Within the framework of joint cooperation, much work has been done to implement double-degree and joint educational programs, to organize common cultural and scientific events of high level, and the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute deservedly gains in popularity and has a high image in the Central Asian region. According to all the agreements and the approved strategy of the university, it is necessary to implement the indicated objectives within the Institute Sorbonne-Kazakhstan. In turn, the French partner universities are ready to continue cooperation and are open to the creation of new areas of cooperation with Abai KazNPU in the field of education.

Darkhan Bilyalov noted that the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute is a part of Abai KazNPU, and has its own deep traditions based on the values of the two countries. The institute has a system of corporate management at a high quality level, the decisions are made collegially. The institute has great potential and should become a regional Franco-Kazakhstani educational hub in the field of research and education. It is widely known not only as an institute with high quality academic and professional programs, but also for the great social activities that are carried out nationally and internationally. Abai KazNPU appreciates the cooperation with French partner universities and is interested in further development of this cooperation, including the opening of new programs in pedagogical directions. Rector Darkhan Bilyalov instructed the Director of the Institute Sorbonne-Kazakhstan to begin preparations for the visit of a delegation of INALCO University.

As part of the discussions, it was announced that Professor Catherine Pujol will begin lecturing on the dual degree program for MA students in International Relations. Her trip to Almaty will include a master`s thesis defence in a hybrid format with access to French scholars from Paris.

The parties expressed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation based on friendship and mutual understanding.