As part of the state visit of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Republic of Korea, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University reached new agreements with leading Korean universities. EKTU signed memoranda of understanding with Hanbat National University and Kyungsung University, laying the foundation for long-term cooperation in education, research and technology.
The visit marked an important step in expanding EKTU’s international partnerships and strengthening its integration into the global academic and technological community. The agreements will provide students, faculty members and researchers with new opportunities for academic mobility, joint research, international projects and access to advanced engineering technologies.
The memorandum with Hanbat National University provides for student and faculty exchanges, joint educational programs, collaborative research and academic events. The two universities will focus on engineering education, technological innovation, applied research and stronger links between academia and industry.
EKTU and Hanbat National University share a commitment to training specialists who can address practical industrial challenges. The partnership will bring together the universities’ research and engineering expertise and create a framework for developing joint projects.
During the visit, Chair of the Management Board and Rector of D. Serikbayev EKTU Saule Rakhmetullina travelled to Busan, where she met with the leadership of Kyungsung University.The parties discussed opportunities for inter-university cooperation, joint educational and research projects, and student and faculty exchanges. Digital technologies, artificial intelligence, engineering education, innovation and engagement with industrial partners were identified as priority areas.
Following the talks, EKTU and Kyungsung University signed a memorandum of understanding. The document establishes a framework for long-term cooperation and the development of specific academic, research and technology initiatives.
«Cooperation with leading universities in the Republic of Korea is an important area of EKTU’s international activity. South Korea has extensive experience in engineering education, technological innovation and university-industry collaboration. We see considerable potential for joint projects and academic exchange,» Saule Rakhmetullina said.
A representative of Allur Kazakhstan, EKTU’s strategic industrial partner, also took part in the visit. The joint participation of the university and industry created additional opportunities to discuss practice-oriented engineering education and potential projects involving advanced manufacturing and automotive technologies.Busan is one of the largest economic, logistics and technology centres in the Republic of Korea. Its innovation clusters, digital economy and high-tech industries offer promising opportunities for EKTU to cooperate with universities, research centres and technology companies.
New areas of cooperation were also discussed at the Kazakhstan–Korea business roundtable. The agenda included critical and rare metals, geology and metallurgy, energy, artificial intelligence and engineering education. These areas align with EKTU’s research priorities and are strategically important for the East Kazakhstan Region.
East Kazakhstan has a strong industrial sector and significant mineral resources. EKTU’s research and engineering expertise can support joint projects involving mineral exploration and advanced processing, the introduction of artificial intelligence and digital solutions in industry, modern manufacturing technologies and the training of a new generation of engineers.
The visit to the Republic of Korea not only expanded EKTU’s network of international partners but also identified specific areas for further work. The next stage will include the formation of joint project teams, the development of academic exchange programs and the preparation of new research and educational initiatives.
Implementation of the signed memoranda will contribute to the quality of engineering education, the development of applied research and stronger university-industry cooperation. The new partnerships will reinforce EKTU’s international position and increase its contribution to the scientific and technological development of East Kazakhstan and the country as a whole.
