A New Stage of Strategic Partnership: AIU and Tsinghua University Elevate Cooperation to a New Level

On June 3, 2026, a delegation from Tsinghua University (PRC) paid an official visit to the Astana International University (AIU). An official memorandum of cooperation is already in place between the universities, within the framework of which the Joint Research Institute of the New Land-Sea Transport Corridor Asia-Europe (RI NLSTC) successfully functions, focusing primarily on logistics. Over the three years of partnership, significant milestones have been achieved: specialized monographs have been published, including the prominent study "The Middle Corridor in the Focus of Interests of the RK and the PRC." A continuous exchange of academic knowledge and collaborative experience between interested parties in Kazakhstan and China has been established, with 21 research papers received from the Chinese partners to date. Today, the RI NLSTC serves as a unique interdisciplinary platform uniting state analytical centers, development institutes, and the business community.

The current meeting allowed the sides to qualitatively expand the scope of this cooperation, enriching it with new initiatives and consolidating the transition to the practical implementation of large-scale educational, scientific, and technological projects.

The Kazakhstan delegation at the talks was led by the President of AIU, Serik Irsaliyev. The meeting was attended by the Rector of AIU, Altyn Myrzagaliyeva, Vice President for International Cooperation, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Director of the BLCU branch, Dinara Dauyen, Head of the International Cooperation Department, Dinara Saparova, Dean of the Chinese-Kazakh School of Economics and Trade, Tamerlan Akniyazov, and Director of the RI NLSTC, Nurali Irsaliyev.

The central event of the negotiations was the discussion on establishing a Joint Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. This large-scale project is planned to be deployed on the basis of the "alem.ai" International AI Center. In the new laboratory, Kazakhstani and Chinese researchers are expected to jointly develop applied technological solutions for energy, logistics, and public administration. The sides also expressed mutual readiness to launch joint educational programs for training specialists in the field of AI, Master of Business Administration in technology (Tech MBA), and other disciplines.

The President of AIU outlined an initiative to establish a Kazakh-Chinese Technical University in Astana. To ensure its successful launch, the expert and academic support of Tsinghua University would be highly beneficial.

In turn, the PRC delegation, led by the Vice-Chancellor of the Tsinghua University Council, Yang Bin, confirmed its readiness for deep integration. The Chinese side expressed its intention to provide its educational platforms for internships for Kazakhstani faculty members and to expand student mobility programs. On behalf of Tsinghua, the talks were also attended by Meng Bo, Director of the Special Office for International Cooperation, Xiao Qian, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Liu Qingling, Senior Manager of the Special Office for International Cooperation, and Cai Xiaodan, Head of Media Relations and Projects of the Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Secretariat.

The parties agreed to proceed with the practical implementation of internship programs for AIU faculty and scientists at Tsinghua University. They concurred that the discussed initiatives have laid a solid foundation for creating joint laboratories, launching new educational programs, and strengthening the institutional partnership between Kazakhstan and China.

The guests also visited the university's Museum of the East, which features unique historical exhibits, including coins from the Tang Dynasty, demonstrating the existence of trade and economic ties between China and the Kazakh Zhetysu region dating back to the 7th century AD.