NAVIGATING KAZAKHSTAN’S SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DIPLOMACY ECOSYSTEM
As part of the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Initiative, in 2025, we will conduct Country Focused Workshop Series entitled “Navigating Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystems”.
This workshop series builds upon the research done in 2024 for the Asia-Europe Science & Technology Diplomacy Report. which mapped Science and Technology Diplomacy strategies, priorities, and tools across Asia and Europe, providing a mapping of the status of Science Diplomacy across the two regions. Learn more about the Report and ASEF’s work in the field of Science and Technology Diplomacy in 2024 here.
KAZAKHSTAN is making bold strides in Science & Technology Diplomacy (STD), even without a formal strategy in place. Through national policies and international collaborations, the country is positioning itself as a rising Central Asian hub for innovation in agriculture, healthcare, engineering, and environmental sustainability. A major driving force behind Kazakhstan’s STD efforts is its goal of modernising the economy and diversifying beyond oil and gas. Policies such as the Concept of Foreign Policy for 2020-2030 and the Digital Kazakhstan initiative emphasise integrating advanced technologies, fostering research commercialisation, and promoting international cooperation to enhance economic competitiveness. The recently enacted Law on S&T Policy (2024) further reinforces these ambitions by prioritising international collaboration, cross-sector innovation, and sustainable development.
At this workshop, we will explore Kazakhstan’s evolving approach to STD and its commitment to leveraging international partnerships, attracting investment, and driving research-driven economic transformation. As the country refines its policies and strengthens its scientific institutions, it is well-positioned to emerge as a leading innovation hub in Central Asia.
We organised 3 Webinars in June 2025 where we deep dived into Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem:
- Webinar 1 | 3 June 2025 : The Role of Government Strategy and Actions in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem
- Webinar 2 | 10 June 2025: The Role of Academia and Research Institutions in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem and How to Work with Them
- Webinar 3 | 17 June 2025: The Role of Businesses in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem and How to Work with Them
Webinar 1 | 3 June 2025
The Role of Government Strategy and Actions in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem
WELCOME REMARKS
Ambassador Beata STOCZYŃSKA, Executive Director, Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)
Ambassador Askar KUTTYKADAM, ASEF Governor for Kazakhstan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Singapore, the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Dr Aliya SEMBAYEVA
Deputy Chairperson, Science Fund JSC
Dr Aliya SEMBAYEVA, PhD, is a science policy expert and chemist with extensive experience at the intersection of research, innovation, and sustainable development. She currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Science Fund and National Coordinator of EU Framework Programs for Science and Innovation in Kazakhstan. Dr. Sembayeva earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, specializing in the mechanochemistry of supramolecular polymers. Her career spans leadership roles in science commercialization, international collaboration, and ESG strategy, including positions at Samruk-Kazyna and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Recognized by Forbes Kazakhstan’s “30 Under 30” and the UK Alumni Award for Innovation, she actively contributes to national science policy and global climate initiatives, including co-authoring the UN’s 2023 Production Gap Report.
MODERATOR
Dr Zhanibek ARYNOV
Assistant Professor, Nazarbayev University
Dr Zhanibek ARYNOV is a Visiting Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. He holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of St. Andrews, UK. His research focuses on the geopolitics of Central Eurasia, examining the dynamics of competition and cooperation among key players such as Russia, China, the European Union, and Central Asian countries.
Currently, Zhanibek is engaged in several research projects exploring regional organisations, including the Eurasian Economic Union, the Collective Security Treaty Organisation, and the Organisation of Turkic States. His work seeks to shed light on their evolving roles and significance in the region.
PANELLISTS
Dr Aliya SEMBAYEVA
Deputy Chairperson, Science Fund JSC
Dr Aliya SEMBAYEVA, PhD, is a science policy expert and chemist with extensive experience at the intersection of research, innovation, and sustainable development. She currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Science Fund and National Coordinator of EU Framework Programs for Science and Innovation in Kazakhstan. Dr. Sembayeva earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, specializing in the mechanochemistry of supramolecular polymers. Her career spans leadership roles in science commercialization, international collaboration, and ESG strategy, including positions at Samruk-Kazyna and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Recognized by Forbes Kazakhstan’s “30 Under 30” and the UK Alumni Award for Innovation, she actively contributes to national science policy and global climate initiatives, including co-authoring the UN’s 2023 Production Gap Report.
Dr Kairat MOLDASHEV
Associate Professor, Suleyman Demirel University and Member of the National Council for Science and Technology under the President of Kazakhstan
Dr Kairat MOLDASHEV, PhD, is an Associate Professor at SDU University, Kazakhstan, and a member of the National Council for Science and Technology under the President of Kazakhstan. He holds a PhD in Political Economy from the University of Malaya and an MBA from SDU University. His research interests include research policy, higher education studies, strategic management, and political economy. Dr. Moldashev has held leadership positions such as Vice-Rector for Research at SDU and Vice-Provost for Research at Paragon International University, where he contributed to institutional strategy and research development. He also chairs the Board of the National Center for Science and Technology Evaluation (NCSTE), which oversees research funding evaluations in Kazakhstan. His scholarly work has been published in leading journals including Studies in Higher Education and the Journal of International Relations and Development. Beyond academia, he consults on strategy, research management, and innovation for universities and companies. His recent projects focus on higher education transformation and research internationalization.
Mr Farhad SH. KUANGANOV
Director, National Center for Higher Education Development
Mr Farhad SH. KUANGANOV is the Director of the Higher Education Development National Center under Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Education and Science since December 2024. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the National Institute of Political Studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, and degrees from the National Graduate School of Public Administration and V.I. Lenin Kazakh Polytechnic Institute. With over 30 years in government and education, he has served as Director of the Project Management Office at the National Center, Secretary of the Nur-Otan Party on Ideology, Deputy Akim of North Kazakhstan, Executive Secretary and Vice-Minister at the Ministry of Education and Science, and advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office and Presidential Administration. Mr Kuanganov is known for his expertise in public policy, strategic planning, and higher education development in Kazakhstan.
Webinar 2 | 10 June 2025
The Role of Academia and Research Institutions in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Dr Khanat KASSENOV
Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports in Kazakhstan
Dr Khanat KASSENOV is the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports in Kazakhstan. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, he specializes in academic quality assurance, accreditation, and internationalization. Previously, he served as Director of Quality Assurance at Astana IT University and worked at the Ministry of Education and Science, focusing on Bologna process implementation and academic mobility. He holds a PhD in Education and is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, and English. His expertise includes ESG standards, academic risk management, and leadership in educational reform. Khanat is a recipient of the “Best Teacher of the Republic of Kazakhstan” award and an IPMA-certified project manager.
MODERATOR
Ms Aitzhan KULUMZHANOVA
Head of internationalization of higher education office at the National Center for Higher Education Development of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Ms Aitzhan KULUMZHANOVA, Head of Higher Education Internationalisation Office of the National Center for Higher Education Development of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, independent observer of EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education). Since 2010, Aitzhan has been leading international cooperation in various local universities. For the past two years, she has been running the Higher Education Internationalization Office of the Center, where she oversees student and academic mobility programmes funded by the government and universities, approves academic curricula, monitors and analyses data on mobility, oversees the Register of accreditation bodies, higher education institutions, and educational programs, and ensures the implementation of the principles of the Bologna Process in educational institutions. She is a candidate for PhD at EPLO, with the focus on the Bologna Process in the Constitution of the Central Asia Higher Education Area.
PANELLISTS
Dr Assiya YERMUKHAMBETOVA
Postdoctoral Scholar, Nazarbayev University
Dr Assiya YERMUKHAMBETOVA is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Nazarbayev University and holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University College London (UCL). Her research focuses on the microstructural analysis of materials for energy storage devices. She is the Co-founder and Chair of the Young Researchers Alliance, a public association in Astana uniting over 300 early-career scientists in Kazakhstan and abroad. The Alliance supports professional development, promotes research achievements, and advocates for young scientists in policy-making. Dr. Yermukhambetova also serves as the member of the Club of Experts under the Senate of Kazakhstan and the National Council on Science and Technology, contributing to national research policy and reform.
Dr Khanat KASSENOV
Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports in Kazakhstan
Dr Khanat KASSENOV is the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Academy of Physical Education and Mass Sports in Kazakhstan. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, he specializes in academic quality assurance, accreditation, and internationalisation. Previously, he served as Director of Quality Assurance at Astana IT University and worked at the Ministry of Education and Science, focusing on Bologna process implementation and academic mobility. He holds a PhD in Education and is fluent in Kazakh, Russian, and English. His expertise includes ESG standards, academic risk management, and leadership in educational reform. Khanat is a recipient of the “Best Teacher of the Republic of Kazakhstan” award and an IPMA-certified project manager.
Prof Bulat KESSENOV
Director of the Analytical Center for Scientific and Scientific-Technical Development of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Prof Bulat KESSENOV is the Director of the Analytical Center for Scientific and Scientific-Technical Development of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Analytical Center works on studying the problems in the development of scientific research in Kazakhstan using scientometrics, statistics, surveys and other methods, develops recommendations for improvement of science policy. His research at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University aims at the development of modern analytical methods and equipment for detection and determination of organic contaminants in environmental samples. He has more than 40 publications indexed in Web of Science, his h-index is 22.
Webinar 3 | 17 June 2025
The Role of Businesses in Kazakhstan’s Science and Technology Diplomacy Ecosystem
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Dr. Darkhan AKHMED-ZAKI
Rector, Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University
Dr. Darkhan AKHMED-ZAKI is a Doctor of Technical Sciences and Professor with a distinguished career in higher education and academic leadership. He began his journey at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, advancing from assistant to Dean of the Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty (2004–2013), and later served as Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (2013–2016). He then directed the Department of Higher and Postgraduate Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan (2016–2017). Dr. Akhmed-Zaki went on to become President of the University of International Business (2017–2020) and later served as Rector of Astana IT University (2020–2022). He has held key government roles, including Chairman of the Science Committee (2022) and Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education (2023). Since January 2025, he has been Chairman of the Board-Rector of Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University where he continues to advance innovation in education and research.
MODERATOR
Dr Aliya SEMBAYEVA
Deputy Chairperson, Science Fund JSC
Dr Aliya SEMBAYEVA, PhD, is a science policy expert and chemist with extensive experience at the intersection of research, innovation, and sustainable development. She currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Science Fund and National Coordinator of EU Framework Programs for Science and Innovation in Kazakhstan. Dr. Sembayeva earned her PhD in Chemistry from the University of Liverpool, specializing in the mechanochemistry of supramolecular polymers. Her career spans leadership roles in science commercialization, international collaboration, and ESG strategy, including positions at Samruk-Kazyna and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Recognized by Forbes Kazakhstan’s “30 Under 30” and the UK Alumni Award for Innovation, she actively contributes to national science policy and global climate initiatives, including co-authoring the UN’s 2023 Production Gap Report.
PANELLISTS
Mr Armanbek OMIRGALI
Director of R&D, RM and REM, National Atomic Company Kazatomprom JSC
Mr Armanbek OMIRGALI is an expert in uranium and rare metals extraction technologies, as well as in scientific and technological development within the nuclear industry. With a background in both engineering and economics, he has been working at the National Atomic Company Kazatomprom since 2012 and has headed the R&D, RM and REM Department since 2019. His expertise includes in-situ leaching, cavitation technologies, the use of novel reagents, and the development and implementation of drilling equipment. He is actively involved in research and processing projects related to rare and rare-earth metals and the author of scientific publications and patents and has extensive experience in managing R&D and the commercialisation of scientific innovations.
Dr. Darkhan AKHMED-ZAKI
Rector, Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University
Dr. Darkhan AKHMED-ZAKI is a Doctor of Technical Sciences and Professor with a distinguished career in higher education and academic leadership. He began his journey at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, advancing from assistant to Dean of the Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty (2004–2013), and later served as Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (2013–2016). He then directed the Department of Higher and Postgraduate Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan (2016–2017). Dr. Akhmed-Zaki went on to become President of the University of International Business (2017–2020) and later served as Rector of Astana IT University (2020–2022). He has held key government roles, including Chairman of the Science Committee (2022) and Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education (2023). Since January 2025, he has been Chairman of the Board-Rector of Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University where he continues to advance innovation in education and research.
Mr Ulysse OUVRIEU
President, GECAU Education
As founder and President of GECAU Education, Mr Ulysse Ouvrieu brings over a decade of experience in business management, entrepreneurship and international collaboration. He speaks English, French, Chinese, and Kazakh, and graduated with a Master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Marketing and Negotiation from Ecole de Management de Normandie. His previous role as the International Development Manager at De Vinci Higher Education group in Paris has bestowed upon him a rich expertise in fostering international academic collaborations. Currently, Ulysse works with various types of Higher education institutions across Europe, Asia and Africa, serving more than 25 universities, engineering, and business schools. Ulysse’s vision is to offer tailored solutions that resonate with the institutions international development strategy, ensuring a journey of growth, excellence, and global recognition.
WHO JOINED?
We invited attendees from Asia and Europe from the following areas:
- Academics, managers of public and private tertiary education institutions
- Government officials, policymakers and diplomats working with Science and Technology Diplomacy topics in international collaboration
- Professionals working for businesses focusing on Research, Innovation, and Science Diplomacy.
The sessions were open to the public.
PARTNERS
This Workshop Series is organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) in partnership with:
Are you interested in engaging in or collaborating with us on this project? Please do not hesitate to contact us at scitech[at]asef.org.
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