Cooperation Between Astana International University and Jiangsu Ocean University

Cooperation between Astana International University (AIU) and Jiangsu Ocean University (JOU) is consistently developing, spanning educational, scientific, cultural, and humanitarian spheres.

One of the most significant joint projects between the two universities is the Research Institute of the New Asia–Europe Land–Sea Transport Corridor. It was established with the joint participation of Astana International University, Jiangsu Ocean University, Tsinghua University, and the Belt and Road Initiative Research Institute of Tsinghua University. The institute is designed to serve as a platform for research in logistics, transport, international trade, and the sustainable development of Eurasia, as well as an important mechanism for academic engagement between the two nations.

Academic and youth exchanges hold a special place in this partnership. For several years, AIU students have participated in international summer programs and completed internships at JOU in Lianyungang. In 2026, a delegation from Jiangsu Ocean University joined the International Summer School "AIU 2026 – In the Heart of the Capital" for the first time, an event that brought together participants from more than ten countries.

One of the most memorable highlights of the visit took place on July 13, when the JOU delegation – led by Lu Wenqian, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Foreign Languages – met with the leadership and staff of the AIU Library. As a token of friendship and to strengthen humanitarian ties, Lu Wenqian presented the AIU Library with a 32-volume book series titled "The Monkey King". These books, dedicated to one of the greatest masterpieces of Chinese literature – the novel Journey to the West – are not only a vital part of China's cultural heritage but are also closely tied to the city of Lianyungang, which holds a special place in the lore of the legendary Sun Wukong.

During the book donation ceremony, Lu Wenqian noted that he was deeply impressed by the high organizational level of the International Summer School in Astana. He also specifically highlighted the atmosphere of safety and stability in Kazakhstan, the hospitality of the Kazakh people, and the care and attention with which the faculty and students of Astana International University surrounded their Chinese guests.

In turn, the Head of the AIU Library, Begimova Gulnara Rakhymtaikyzy, warmly welcomed the delegation from China and accepted the valuable gift with gratitude. Expressing hope for the further development of cooperation between the libraries of the two universities, she requested that masterpieces from the golden treasury of Kazakh literature – Abai’s Words of Edification and Mukhtar Auezov’s epic novel The Path of Abai – be presented to the JOU Library collection in return.

Both parties expressed confidence that the donated books will occupy a place of honor on the shelves of both university libraries, serving as yet another symbol of equal friendship, mutual respect, and the strengthening of humanitarian ties between Kazakhstan and China.