Suggestion from Toqaev for Italy: Establish university branches in Kazakhstan
During the inaugural "Central Asia - Italy" summit, Kazakhstan's President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, proposed to Italy the opening of university branches in Kazakhstan, according to Liter.kz.
The summit marked the first meeting between Tokayev and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Stressing the significance of cooperation in education and culture, Tokayev highlighted the presence of around 4,000 Kazakh students studying in Italy at present. He expressed gratitude for grants and scholarships provided by the Italian government to further the education of young people in the country's elite institutions.
Tokayev extended an invitation to Italian technical universities to establish branches in Kazakhstan, expressing keen interest in advancing engineering and technical education. This move aligns with Kazakhstan's ongoing efforts to develop technoparks and artificial intelligence technologies.
The President also underlined the presence of the Italian Cultural Institute in Almaty, which symbolizes the strengthening ties between the nations. To further develop cultural and humanitarian connections, according to Tokayev, a series of joint events can be held in 2026 under the banner of the Year of Cultural Exchange between Central Asia and Italy.
The dialogue between the educational establishments of Kazakhstan and Italy is perceived as vital for mutual growth. The possibilities of academic collaborations and potential joint programs are being explored, as top-tier universities from both countries strive for partnerships.
The First Central Asia-Italy Summit in Astana has underscored the importance of boosting educational and cultural interactions across the region. Other Central Asian states have also shown interest in fostering academic exchanges and research collaborations with Italy. A Central Asia – Italy Scientific and Educational Consortium, dedicated to supporting joint projects, may potentially materialize as a consequence. These developments highlight an increasing focus on bolstering educational and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Italy, particularly in the technology and technical education sectors.
Tokayev's proposal to establish university branches from Italy in Kazakhstan emphasizes the importance of the dialogue between educational institutions of both countries, fostering opportunities for learning and education-and-self-development. The President's call for Italian technical universities to establish branches in Kazakhstan also signals a keen interest in advancing learning in engineering and technical education, which aligns with Kazakhstan's efforts to develop technoparks and artificial intelligence technologies.
