On 19 October 2026, Professor Shuya Wei, PhD, of the University of Science and Technology Beijing, China, arrived at the Faculty of Arts of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University for a teaching and research visit. The visit will continue until 17 November 2026, with her departure scheduled for that date. The programme aims to strengthen international cooperation in cultural heritage research and conservation, facilitate the exchange of scholarly expertise, and enhance students’ professional competencies.

Professor Wei specialises in the study of materials and techniques used in artworks and in cultural heritage conservation. She studied at University College London, completed an internship at the Getty Conservation Institute in the United States, and earned her doctorate at Vienna University of Technology in Austria. Her research brings together art history, the natural sciences, and conservation practice.

The programme for faculty members and undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students places particular emphasis on the murals of Dunhuang. The lectures “Dunhuang Murals: A Chronological Art History of Buddhist Image-Making” and “Conserving Dunhuang: From Wall-Painting Diagnosis to Preventive Conservation” address the development of artistic imagery, its historical characteristics, the causes of deterioration, and approaches to preventing damage.

Another lecture strand focuses on Caihua, the traditional Chinese practice of architectural painting. Sessions will explore its history, stylistic features and cultural significance, alongside the scientific study of materials used in architectural decoration. These topics will highlight the relationship between art-historical analysis and materials research.

The programme also covers the origins, development, craftsmanship and legacy of ancient Chinese lacquerware. A separate lecture will examine the materials and techniques used in its production. Participants will also be introduced to the study and characterisation of handmade paper and Chinese ink, as well as scientific methods and techniques used in cultural heritage research.

The visit includes plans for research consultations for master’s and doctoral students, seminars for faculty members, and joint research articles on the study and conservation of Kazakhstan’s artistic heritage. Professor Wei has also proposed a presentation entitled “Characterisation and Virtual Restoration of the Buddhist Statues from Qingzhou Museum” for a conference on art education.

The scholar is among the international academics invited from leading universities outside the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University as part of the implementation of Order No. 242 of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, dated May 21, 2026.

Professor Shuya Wei’s visit to the Faculty of Arts will provide opportunities to explore interdisciplinary approaches to cultural heritage and strengthen connections between art history and scientific analysis. The planned activities will support the expansion of the faculty’s international research networks and the development of long-term partnerships in education and research.