21.11.2025
THE FIRST MEETING OF THE KAZAKHSTAN–FRANCE ACADEMIC COUNCIL WAS HELD
The first
meeting of the Kazakhstan–France Academic Strategic Council took place at the
Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute of Abai University. The event was attended by the
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of
Kazakhstan Sylvain Georges, diplomats of the French Embassy, the university
leadership, representatives of the France–Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, as well as members of the academic community.
From the
university side, the meeting was attended by Chairman of the Board–Rector Bolat
Tilep, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Banu Narybekova, Vice-Rector for
Strategy and Internationalization Aigul Iskakova, and Director of the
Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute Ainur Sabitova. The French side was represented
by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to
Kazakhstan Sylvain Georges, Counselor to the Ambassador Sebastien de Courtois, Consul General in Almaty
Maxime Geranger, Director General of the France–Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce
and Industry and Director of the Alliance Française Agnes Bousset.
The main purpose
of the meeting was to expand cooperation between the two countries in the
fields of education, science, and culture. During the discussion, the parties
reviewed the partnership established in recent years and addressed a number of
pressing issues. The French delegation emphasized the importance of renewing
agreements between universities. They also discussed increasing student
academic mobility, ensuring the quality of educational programs, supporting
France is cultural and educational initiatives in
Kazakhstan, and strengthening ties between the economic and academic sectors.
Issues related to educational work, student volunteer activities, and the
development of legal and civic culture among youth were also considered.
The efforts to
establish a Center for the Didactics of French and European Languages at the
Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute were highly appreciated. The Center was launched
with the support of the French Embassy under a grant from the Ministry for
Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and has been fully equipped with the
necessary resources. French experts have been invited, and Kazakhstani
instructors have been provided with opportunities for internships in France.
Overall, the
meeting demonstrated the dynamic development of academic cooperation between
the two countries. The parties discussed new plans and initiatives for the
upcoming period and concluded the meeting with an optimistic outlook for the
future.