During his voyage to Kazakhstan, Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı of Atatürk University established significant relationships. Çomaklı signed a variety of protocols to fortify academic and scientific collaboration between the two countries, including those with Astana Medical, Maqsut Narikbayev, Nazarbayev, Karaganda Buketov, Karaganda Technical, Karaganda Medical, Gumilyov, and Agrotechnical Universities. Furthermore, Rector Çomaklı conducted visits to public institutions. In this context, TİKA Kazakhstan Coordinator Hüseyin Hikmet Özdenoğlu and T.R. He convened with Astana Ambassador Mustafa Kapucu to assess the areas of cooperation between the two nations.

A cooperation protocol was signed with nine universities

The initial destination of the visit program was Astana Medical University, located in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. The decision was made to conduct collaborative projects in the field of health sciences during the meetings that were conducted here with university officials. Additionally, an agreement was struck regarding the exchange programs for academicians and students. The participants executed a cooperation protocol subsequent to the meetings.

Subsequently, Çomaklı visited Maqsut Narikbayev University and executed a protocol to conduct collaborative research in the fields of social sciences and law. During the visit, Çomaklı underscored the significance of fostering relationships between the two universities, as he engaged with the academic staff and students.

Steps were made to collaborate in the fields of engineering and technology at Nazarbayev University, the third stop of the visit. It was intended for the two universities to collaborate on research and development initiatives through the signing of the protocol. The issues of establishing a joint laboratory and sharing the technological infrastructure to be used in the projects were discussed during the meetings with the Rector and academic staff of Nazarbayev University.

Concrete Measures Will Be Implemented to Facilitate Academic Mobility

The decision was made to collaborate on joint seminars, conferences, and scientific publications in the fields of science and literature during the meetings conducted at Karaganda Buketov University. A protocol was signed at Karaganda Technical University to enhance the exchange programs between students and academicians in the field of engineering. The universities' current projects were discussed in detail, and concrete measures were taken to facilitate future collaborations during these visits.

The meetings at Gumilyov University and Agrotechnical University resulted in the decision to collaborate in the fields of agriculture and biotechnology, in addition to the signing of a protocol to develop joint initiatives in the field of medical education and health services at Karaganda Medical University. It is anticipated that the projects to be conducted at these universities will make substantial contributions to the disciplines of agricultural technologies and biotechnology between the two countries.

Strengthening of the Inter-Institutional Communication Network

Hüseyin Hikmet Özdenoğlu, the Coordinator of TİKA Kazakhstan, and T.R. Prof. Dr. Çomaklı also met with Astana Ambassador Mustafa Kapucu. Çomaklı exchanged information regarding the efforts made to fortify the relationship between Kazakhstan and Turkey. The initiatives implemented by Turkey in Kazakhstan and their contributions to the bilateral cooperation were assessed during the meetings.

Rector Çomaklı commented on his visit to Kazakhstan, stating that "these collaborations with the friendly and brotherly country Kazakhstan will greatly contribute to the strengthening of academic and scientific relations between the two countries." These visits have been a critical component in the development of collaborative initiatives and the exchange of information. He stated that the strong connections we have established with universities in Kazakhstan will generate new opportunities for both our students and academics.

Çomaklı further stated that their visit was highly productive and that the academic collaboration between the two nations will be furthered through the execution of the signed protocols.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE – July 18, 2024