Kazakhstan and South Korea Strengthen Educational Cooperation

Seoul, The Gulf Observer: Ambassador of Kazakhstan to South Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, participated in the opening of the Chonbuk-Kazakhstan University Rector’s Forum, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry. The event, organized by the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency and supported by the North Jeolla Province administration, brought together leaders from top universities in both Kazakhstan and South Korea to discuss collaborative opportunities in education and technology.

Kazakh universities represented at the forum included Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, Suleyman Demirel University, and Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. South Korean universities such as Gunsan, Woosuk, Wonkwang, Jeonbuk, Jeonju, Jeonju Vision, Hanil, Changshin, and Howon also participated.

In his remarks, Ambassador Arystanov emphasized the growing bilateral relationship, particularly after the June 2024 visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to Kazakhstan, which highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening ties in trade, diplomacy, education, and technology. The Ambassador also noted the recent visit of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, to South Korea, underscoring the deepening educational cooperation between the two nations.

Arystanov highlighted successful partnerships, such as the collaboration between Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University and SeoulTech, which led to the establishment of an artificial intelligence school, and the joint training program between Kostanay Regional University and Dong-Eui University to prepare specialists for the KIA automobile plant in Kazakhstan.

During his visit, Ambassador Arystanov met with Choi Byung Kwan, Deputy Governor of North Jeolla Province, to discuss the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in political, economic, and cultural spheres. Arystanov shared insights from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s recent State of the Nation Address, highlighting key areas such as infrastructure, industry, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence, which present new avenues for cooperation with South Korea. Kwan expressed his intention to visit Kazakhstan soon and reiterated the importance of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Almaty Region Administration in 2023.

Additionally, Ambassador Arystanov held a meeting with Kim Dae Sik, President of the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency and former South Korean Ambassador to Kazakhstan, to discuss expanding joint educational and cultural programs, further strengthening the foundation for bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and South Korea.