SEOUL, April 27 (AJP) - To promote broader South Korea–Kazakhstan collaboration in education and research, a delegation from Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech), led by President Professor Kim Dong-Hwan, visited Kazakhstan’s Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University (KKU) from Apr. 16 to 18.
One of the key highlights of the trip was a meeting between Professor Kim and Nurlybek Nalibayev, Governor of the Kyzylorda Region. Both sides discussed opportunities to expand cooperation not only in higher education but also in fields such as agricultural processing, food industries, tourism, renewable energy, waste management, and lithium research in the Aral region.
Kim emphasized SeoulTech’s intention to establish a startup incubator in the region, implement academic mobility programs, train IT specialists, and strengthen joint research initiatives in line with regional needs.
During the visit, Kim also met with officials from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, including Rauza Mendaliyeva, Director of the Department of Internationalization, and Beibitkul Karimova, Chair of the Board and Rector of Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University.
Discussions focused on the expansion of dual-degree programs and reviewing the progress of collaborative initiatives in AI architecture and data management, where 100 students are currently enrolled under government scholarships.
As part of the academic exchange, Professor Kim delivered a public lecture titled "IT and AI Trends in Korea" at the School of Artificial Intelligence, offering students insights into South Korea’s digital transformation and the global AI landscape.
Vice Provost for International Affairs Professor Kim Tae-hee also delivered a keynote presentation at the Republican Seminar, a national educational forum attended by senior officials from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education, quality control departments, school principals, and technical college directors, highlighting prospects for AI research and workforce development between Kazakhstan and Korea.
The SeoulTech delegation also engaged with promising students from several elite secondary schools, including 200 students from Nazarbayev Intellectual School, 100 students from Bilim-Innovation Lyceum, and 25 students each from Murager School and School No. 125, underscoring the growing interest in fostering future digital leaders.
A major milestone in SeoulTech’s cooperation with Kazakhstan is the establishment of the School of Artificial Intelligence at Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, launched in November 2023. The project was made possible with the support of South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, former Chair of the Kazakhstan–Korea Friendship Association.
Speaker Woo’s visit to Kyzylorda and the AI School in October 2024 underscored the high level of inter-parliamentary and institutional commitment between the two countries.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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