VIII International Forum of Kazakh-French Higher Education Institutions

Today, November 3, 2023, the VIII International Forum of Kazakh-French Higher Education Institutions was opened in Abai KazNPU. The event was attended by about 100 representatives of both countries, the Embassy of France in Kazakhstan, rectors of universities, domestic and foreign scientists, as well as experts. The main goal is to strengthen ties between Kazakhstan and France in the field of education and science.

Opening the forum, Rector of Abai KazNPU Bolat Tlep emphasised the importance of the event and noted the impact of cooperation between the two countries on the development of education and science in the country and on the research system of domestic education. Vice-Rector for Strategy, Digitalisation and Internationalisation Aktolkyn Kulsarieva spoke about the university`s international activities and its achievements in the global arena.

Speakers also included Alex Bortolan, Counsellor for Culture and Cooperation at the French Embassy in Kazakhstan, who presented the geostrategic context and quality of French higher education institutions, and Elise Jadot from the Campus France Agency, who spoke about the agency`s activities to develop bilateral relations and student mobility in France. "Within the Bolashak programme, we are improving the quality of educational activities for Kazakh students studying in higher education institutions in France. In particular, we create all conditions for training, exchange of experience of Kazakhstani researchers, and it is encouraging that the number of trained researchers is growing from year to year", said Elise Jadot.

During the forum, interesting discussions were held at the plenary session at the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute. Regional Attaché for Cooperation in Education Xavier Le Torrivellec presented the consortium and the mechanism for supporting Franco-Kazakhstani programmes. Aliya Ospanova, Chairman of the Board of the Centre for International Programmes, spoke about the conditions of the Bolashak programme and scientific internships, and Laura Paluanova, Coordinator of the Erasmus+ National Office in Kazakhstan, presented the opportunities for cooperation between universities in France and Kazakhstan within the Erasmus+ programme.

The participants discussed the results of the Forum, including three round tables held at Farabi University, Satbayev University and Narxoz University on topical issues of education and science, as well as a plenary session at Abai University, where key research and development in these areas were presented. At the end, a Memorandum was signed, confirming the determination of both countries to continue co-operation in the field of education and science.

The Forum provided a unique opportunity to exchange experience and knowledge, contributing to the development of co-operation and strengthening international ties.