LUMIÈRES: a new stage in academic cooperation between KAZAKHSTAN and France

On May 5, 2026, the Lumières Foundation was inaugurated in Kazakhstan as a new platform aimed at developing sustainable cooperation between universities in France and Kazakhstan.

The official ceremony was attended by Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Talgat Yeshenkulov and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiogué.

The Lumières Foundation was established to strengthen academic ties, expand partnerships between higher education institutions of the two countries, and build a sustainable ecosystem integrating education, science, and industry. Particular attention is given to the development of double degree programs, the creation of new joint educational initiatives, and the integration of universities with enterprises in strategic sectors.

One of the key areas of the Foundation’s activity will be student support. It is planned to attract funding for scholarships for studies in France, primarily for undergraduate students, as well as to develop joint university projects.

An important part of Lumières’ work will be to facilitate graduate employment. In cooperation with the Franco-Kazakh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFK) and academic partners, including the Sorbonne-Kazakhstan Institute and Maqsut Narikbayev University, it is planned to hold annual job fairs and strengthen interaction with employers.

At the invitation of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiogué, representatives of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University took part in the opening ceremony. The participation of the university delegation marked an important step in expanding international cooperation and strengthening ties with French educational and research institutions.

The establishment of the Lumières Foundation opens new opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers, contributing to the development of academic mobility, joint projects, and the training of highly qualified specialists in demand on the global labor market.