University of Arizona Delegation Visits Kazakhstan

ASTANA — July 9, 2026 — A delegation from the University of Arizona (USA), led by University President Dr. Suresh Garimella, is visiting the Republic of Kazakhstan from July 9 to July 12, 2026. The visit is aimed at deepening the strategic partnership and expanding cooperation in higher education, scientific research, innovation, and international-level talent development.

Over the past four years, the joint project between the University of Arizona and Kozybayev University has become one of the most successful examples of a strategic partnership between a Kazakhstani university and a leading U.S. research institution. Notably, while the University of Arizona operates approximately 10 "Microcampuses" worldwide, Dr. Garimella selected the nascent campus at Kozybayev University for his first official visit.

Academic Excellence and Growth

Currently, 1,249 students are enrolled in joint educational programs with the University of Arizona, including 359 students in dual-degree tracks. In the upcoming academic year, the student body is expected to reach approximately 1,700, with over 500 students pursuing dual-degree qualifications. The student cohort is diverse, representing nearly every region of Kazakhstan, as well as China, the United States, Russia, and Mongolia.

The two institutions currently implement 16 educational programs, six of which are dual-degree. In 2026, enrollment began for a new dual-degree program in "Business and Management" and a joint program in "Marketing and Market Analytics." Plans for the next five years include the launch of new programs in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Plant Science and Technology, and Water Resource Management.

This year marks the first graduation class from these joint programs, totaling 132 graduates, 31 of whom will receive diplomas from both universities.

Beyond the Classroom: Scientific Innovation

Over the past two years, the partnership has evolved well beyond education. A portfolio of joint international scientific projects, valued at approximately KZT 4 billion, is currently underway.

A centerpiece of this collaboration is the project, "Development and Implementation of High-Tech Solutions for Monitoring, Purification, and Rational Use of Water Resources in the North Kazakhstan Region," with a total funding of KZT 3 billion. This initiative includes the creation of modern research infrastructure, the opening of six scientific laboratories (two of which are currently undergoing international accreditation), and the training of world-class researchers.

Under the National Treasures Genomics Project, Kozybayev University, in partnership with the University of Arizona’s Institute of Genomics, is conducting research on genomic selection for wheat and rice, the preservation of the Caspian seal and Greig’s tulip gene pools, and the development of DNA sequencing technologies. The university has established the first School of Genomics and Bioinformatics in Central Asia. Now in its second year, the school operates in partnership with the Islamic Organization for Food Security, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia), and the University of Leeds (UK). To date, 24 young researchers from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Saudi Arabia have completed training, with a core focus on applying genomic technologies to agriculture.

Another key initiative involves the development of sulfur polymers and new materials, led by Professor Jeffrey Pyun of the University of Arizona. This project will establish Kazakhstan’s first specialized laboratory for sulfur polymerization and develop technologies for producing high-value plastics, fertilizers, and other advanced materials.

High-Level Dialogue

During the visit, President Garimella is scheduled to hold meetings with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Minister of Science and Higher Education, the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, the Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region, the U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan, and other heads of state bodies.

The agenda will focus on the further development of the strategic partnership, the expansion of dual-degree programs, the implementation of joint research, the development of research-intensive universities, professional training, and the commercialization of scientific developments. Special attention will be paid to joint projects in agrigenomics, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, water management, and advanced materials. Furthermore, the delegation will discuss the implementation of a joint project on applying modern genomic technologies to rice breeding in the Kyzylorda region.

In Petropavl, Dr. Garimella will inspect the academic and laboratory facilities at Kozybayev University and participate in the commencement ceremony for the first graduates of the dual-degree programs.

This visit is expected to provide a new impetus for Kazakh-American cooperation in education, science, and innovation, contributing to the realization of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s national agenda to develop world-class research universities.