Kazakhstan wants Malaysian universities back as it revives its education ties

Astana, September 27 — Kazakhstan is actively seeking to reconnect with Malaysia and reestablish higher education ties through various means, such as student mobility, research collaboration, and the establishment of Malaysian university branch campuses within the Central Asian nation. Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek highlighted Malaysia's reputation as a benchmark for Kazakhstan's aspirations to become an international education hub, particularly through its inclusive approach to attracting international students.

Nurbek shared that their historical bilateral relations in higher education and research were once robust, with thousands of Kazakh students attending top Malaysian universities around a decade ago. However, he acknowledged that the momentum has since waned.

The visit of Malaysian Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir was deemed timely, as both countries aimed to rejuvenate their educational bilateral ties. They identified six key areas for cooperation, including academic exchanges, attracting leading Malaysian universities to establish branch campuses in Kazakhstan, and joint and dual programs in various sectors such as energy, agriculture, artificial intelligence, health sciences, and transportation.

Nurbek noted that Kazakhstan currently hosts approximately 40 branch campuses of foreign universities, including those from the UK, the US, Germany, France, Türkiye, South Korea, China, and Russia. He emphasized the potential for Kazakhstan to serve as a regional hub for Central Asian countries through Malaysia's involvement. Besides the existing agreements, there is significant untapped potential for bilateral cooperation, particularly in academic mobility and faculty exchanges.

Additionally, Kazakhstan intends to leverage its Bolashak international scholarship program to rebuild academic links with Malaysia through visiting scholar and research fellowship programs. Both nations agreed to hold an annual Kazakhstan-Malaysia higher education forum to facilitate further dialogue and collaboration. Nurbek concluded by expressing Kazakhstan's desire to reconnect with Malaysia, emphasizing that education offers enduring connections that surpass economic and commercial partnerships.

Zambry, who is currently on an official visit to Kazakhstan, is spearheading Malaysia's efforts to strengthen higher education cooperation with the Central Asian nation and the broader region.