As a result of recent high-level reciprocal visits between Mongolia and the Republic of Kazakhstan, cooperation between the two countries in education and science has reached a new level. In October 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of the Republic of Kazakhstan paid a State Visit to Mongolia, during which bilateral relations between the two countries were elevated to the level of strategic partnership. In April 2026, President U. Khurelsukh of Mongolia paid a State Visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan. During the visit, the two sides emphasized the importance of expanding cooperation in education, culture, sports, tourism, and youth sectors, while President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan’s universities remain open to Mongolian students and youth.
In the context of these reciprocal visits, the international education exhibition “Study in Kazakhstan” was held in Ulaanbaatar on May 13–14, 2026. The exhibition brought together leading universities from Kazakhstan, representatives of Mongolia’s education sector, students, and government and diplomatic officials from both countries. The event was organized with the participation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Education of Mongolia, and the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Mongolia.
As part of this broader academic engagement, representatives of S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University visited the Mongolian National University of Education (MNUE) on May 14, 2026. During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two universities in January 2026 and discussed opportunities to further expand cooperation.
The meeting was attended by Prof. J. Batbaatar, President of MNUE; Dr. D. Soronzon, Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Cooperation; Assoc. Prof. G. Tsogzolmaa, Head of the International Relations Office; and J. Khinalgan, Dean of MNUE Bayan-Ulgii Branch School. S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University was represented by Prof. M.A. Tolegen, Chairman of the Board and Rector; Aidyn Bazarkhan, Manager for Academic Affairs and Student Exchange; and Zhannel Bolatova, Head of the Career Centre for Professional Upgrading.
S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University is a state university located in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, offering education and research across a wide range of academic fields. The university traces its origins to the Ust-Kamenogorsk Pedagogical Institute, established in 1952, which initially trained teachers in Russian language and literature, physics and mathematics, and natural sciences.
Similar to MNUE, the university has strong academic directions in teacher education, psychology, pedagogy, language and literature, natural sciences, and the social sciences and humanities. Its academic programmes include teacher training in natural sciences, humanities, and Kazakh language and literature. Therefore, cooperation between the two universities has strong potential to develop in areas such as teacher education, curriculum development, academic exchange, professional development for teachers and researchers, and joint research.
During the meeting, the two sides noted that concrete cooperation activities had already begun within a short period after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in January 2026. In particular, on January 14–16, 2026, professors from S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, including Professor Maira Shurshitbaikyzy, Head of the Altai Studies Centre, participated and presented papers at the international academic conference titled “Sustainable Development of the Altai Mountain Region: History, Language, Culture, Education, Ecology, and Economic Perspectives” organized by MNUE Bayan-Ulgii Branch School.
In addition, J. Khinalgan, Dean of MNUE Bayan-Ulgii Branch School, paid an official visit to S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University on April 20–24, 2026, during which the Memorandum of Understanding signed online between the two universities was exchanged. During the visit, the parties agreed to cooperate in areas including student and faculty exchange programmes, summer school programmes for students, the establishment of a branch of the Altai Studies Research Centre, joint research and academic projects, and the development of a joint programme for training teachers in special needs education.
Furthermore, five students from MNUE Bayan-Ulgii Branch School, led by A. Serikzhan, lecturer of the Department of Education Studies and Methodology, participated in the summer school programme at S. Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University. During the programme, the students became familiar with the university’s learning environment, completed 72 hours of training delivered by university professors, and received certificates. These activities demonstrate that cooperation between the two institutions has already begun to produce practical results.
MNUE will continue to expand its cooperation with foreign universities specializing in teacher education and create new international opportunities for students, faculty members, and researchers.
