Kazakhstani and Spanish universities discussed new areas of cooperation
The L.N.Gumilyov ENU hosted the second part of the International Seminar "Cooperation in Higher Education: Spain-Kazakhstan", dedicated to relations of Kazakhstani and Spanish higher education institutions. The meeting was attended by representatives of more than 30 Kazakhstani and Spanish universities and the Spanish Embassy in Kazakhstan.
The seminar participants discussed important aspects of cooperation between Kazakhstan and Spain in the field of science and higher education, which helps to open up new prospects for students, faculty and researchers from both countries to jointly implement projects and initiatives.
Welcoming the representatives of Spanish universities, Vice-Rector for Social and Cultural Development Lyazat Nurkatova noted that the L.N.Gumilyov ENU is one of the leaders of higher education in Kazakhstan, and is also one of the TOP 100 universities in Asia by the QS rating.
"In 2015, in order to study foreign languages and cultures of foreign countries, the Ruy Gonzalez de Clavijo Spanish Language Center was founded at ENU. I thank our students for their comprehensive support in learning Spanish. Today, more than a thousand students are studying Spanish at our university.
Currently, ENU cooperates with such universities in Spain as the State University of Navarre, the University of Granada, the University of Alicante, the University of Cordoba, the University of Barcelona, etc. I am sure that today's event will contribute to the development of friendly relations in the field of higher education and science of Kazakhstan and Spain," the Vice-rector concluded.
The seminar was attended by the University of Alicante, the University of Almeria, the University of Granada, the University of Huelva, the University of Jaen, the University of Lleida, the University of Salamanca, the University of Seville, the University of Valladolid, San Jorge University, the Spanish-Arab Foundation.
Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dinara Shcheglova reported that 69 agreements have been signed between higher education institutions of the two countries.
"The main areas of cooperation include academic mobility of students, joint education programs and other areas that serve the exchange of knowledge. Research projects also play an important role in our collaboration. In 2023, we created several research projects with universities in Spain. We intend to expand ties in scientific, construction, engineering and other strategic areas. Our universities are ready to join double degree programs," the speaker stressed.
Spanish Ambassador to Kazakhstan Jorge Urbiola noted that Spanish universities are impressed by higher education, research and the potential of students in Kazakhstan.
"The attractiveness of Spanish universities is confirmed by the fact that Spain has historically been the first destination for Erasmus students in Europe. Thanks to today's meeting, we want to develop and deepen relations between our universities. Kazakhstan is a country of opportunities. Spanish higher education centers intend to be a part of your projects. Spain and Kazakhstan may be geographically far from each other, but we have great potential for developing productive cooperation," the diplomat said.
In her speech, SEPIE Deputy Director Fatima Terol expressed hope for the formation of new vectors of cooperation in the field of innovation, science, and education. She stressed that this meeting contributes to the active development of joint research.
Laura Paluanova, Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office of in Kazakhstan, spoke about the expansion of cooperation within the framework of this program.
Aizhan Samambayeva, a leading researcher at the Research Office of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, and Paloma Castro, Vice-Rector for Internationalization of the University of Valladolid, discussed in detail the best practices of cooperation between Spanish and Kazakhstani universities during the meeting.
The seminar continued with parallel personal meetings of representatives of universities of Kazakhstan and Spain.