The first meeting of the Kazakhstan–France Academic Strategic Council took place at the Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute of Abai University. The event was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France to the Republic of Kazakhstan Sylvain Georges, diplomats of the French Embassy, the university leadership, representatives of the France–Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as members of the academic community.
From the university side, the meeting was attended by Chairman of the Board–Rector Bolat Tilep, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Banu Narybekova, Vice-Rector for Strategy and Internationalization Aigul Iskakova, and Director of the Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute Ainur Sabitova. The French side was represented by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Kazakhstan Sylvain Georges, Counselor to the Ambassador Sebastien de Courtois, Consul General in Almaty Maxime Geranger, Director General of the France–Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Director of the Alliance Française Agnes Bousset.
The main purpose of the meeting was to expand cooperation between the two countries in the fields of education, science, and culture. During the discussion, the parties reviewed the partnership established in recent years and addressed a number of pressing issues. The French delegation emphasized the importance of renewing agreements between universities. They also discussed increasing student academic mobility, ensuring the quality of educational programs, supporting France is cultural and educational initiatives in Kazakhstan, and strengthening ties between the economic and academic sectors. Issues related to educational work, student volunteer activities, and the development of legal and civic culture among youth were also considered.
The efforts to establish a Center for the Didactics of French and European Languages at the Sorbonne–Kazakhstan Institute were highly appreciated. The Center was launched with the support of the French Embassy under a grant from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France and has been fully equipped with the necessary resources. French experts have been invited, and Kazakhstani instructors have been provided with opportunities for internships in France.
Overall, the meeting demonstrated the dynamic development of academic cooperation between the two countries. The parties discussed new plans and initiatives for the upcoming period and concluded the meeting with an optimistic outlook for the future.
