AIU AS A PLATFORM FOR DIALOGUE ON EDUCATION AND LOGISTICS WITHIN THE «BELT AND ROAD» INITIATIVE

On April 25, 2025, the Astana International University became a platform for an important dialogue on the future of education and logistics in the context of the global "Belt and Road" initiative. The round table, organized by the Research Institute of the New Eurasian Land-Sea Intermodal Transport Corridor and the Higher School of Economics of AIU, brought together leading experts from academia, government agencies, and industry organizations to discuss key issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.

The round table's moderator, Doctor of Economics, Professor of the Higher School of Economics of AIU, Kazhiken Meiram Zekeshuly, set the tone of the discussion with his opening report on "The Middle Corridor in the Focus of Interests of Kazakhstan and China." He emphasized the growing strategic importance of this transport route and the need to consolidate efforts for its further development.

Leading experts presented diverse perspectives on cooperation within the "Belt and Road" initiative. Indira Aubakirova, Director of the Institute of Legislation and Legal Information of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy and academic exchanges. Manarbek Kabaziev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Institute of Foreign Policy Studies under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighted the prospects for the development of energy corridors between China and Central Asia. Zhaslan Zhagparov, Deputy General Director of the Kazakhstan Union of Transport Workers "KAZLOGISTICS," focused on the development prospects of transport corridors in the region. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Vice President of Astana International University, spoke about Kazakhstan-China cooperation in education and culture.

Svetlana Kozhirova, Professor of the International University of Astana, analyzed the problems and prospects of the development of transport routes in Central Asia. Saule Koshanova, Director of the Beijing University of Language and Culture branch campus in Kazakhstan (BLCU Kazakhstan), highlighted the issues of cultural and humanitarian interaction between Kazakhstan and China. Zubirash Smagulova, Dean of the Higher School of Economics of the International University of Astana, presented the possibilities of dual degree education. Azamat Nurseitov, Chief Researcher of JSC "Institute of Economic Research," shared his vision of Kazakhstan-China relations.

A significant aspect of the event was the online participation of experts from China. Sun Jun, Dean of the Business Faculty of Jiangsu Ocean University and Executive Director of the New Eurasian Land-Sea Transport Corridor Research Institute (China), and Dong Shaozeng, Associate Professor of the Department of Logistics and Marketing of Jiangsu Ocean University, presented analysis on the role of the port of Lianyungang and the strategic importance of the Central Asian transport corridor within the initiative.

Nurlan Nurseitov, Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Entrepreneurship of the Deutsch-Kasachische Universität, also participated online with a report on "Freight Traffic Management along the Middle Transport Corridor: Current Status and Prospects," offering his recommendations for optimizing logistics processes.

The relevance of the round table is due to the increasing role of Kazakhstan in global logistics and the need to train a new generation of specialists capable of working effectively in a globalized environment. The theme of the event is directly related to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 4 (Quality Education) through discussions on personnel training and the development of educational programs, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through the training of specialists for the transport and logistics industry, SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the development of transport corridors, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through international cooperation and dialogue. Following the fruitful discussion, a collection of reports and analytical materials will be prepared, which will become a valuable resource for the further development of scientific, educational, and logistical cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. The materials of the collection will be available on the official website of the Astana International University.

Astana International University expresses sincere gratitude to all speakers and participants for their valuable contribution, active participation, and willingness to further cooperation!