Debrecen4U
October 19, 2026
University of Debrecen Strengthens International Ties with South Kazakhstan Research University
The University of Debrecen and a research university in southern Kazakhstan have set out their shared goals in a declaration of intent to cooperate, signed in Shymkent on 9 October by Mukhtar Tolegen, Rector of the Kazakh institution, and Károly Pető, the University of Debrecen’s Rector’s Representative.
Founded in 1943, Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan Research University is one of the leading higher education and research centres in southern Kazakhstan. Based in Shymkent, the country’s third-largest city, the multidisciplinary institution has approximately 17,500 students and 2,900 academic staff. Students can choose from nearly 300 degree programmes in engineering, natural sciences, economics, information technology, social sciences and the humanities.
The agreement could pave the way for joint research projects and the development of dual-degree programmes. It could also create opportunities for joint academic supervision, research placements for MSc students, short- and long-term research placements for academic staff, and student and staff mobility. Plans also include organising scientific conferences and seminars.
In a lecture delivered at the research university in southern Kazakhstan, Károly Pető identified several potential focus areas for cooperation, including agricultural and food sciences, engineering, the chemical industry and energy, economics and social sciences, the humanities and history, information technology and artificial intelligence, as well as doctoral education and research. He explained that joint publications could be a goal in all these fields and also proposed adopting a university–city–business model involving the two universities, the cities of Debrecen and Shymkent, and businesses in the surrounding regions.
The Rector’s Representative also highlighted that 104 Kazakh students are currently studying at the University of Debrecen, most of them enrolled in programmes in natural sciences, engineering, medicine and information technology.
Károly Pető took part in the visit to Shymkent as a member of the delegation from the City of Debrecen. As part of the programme, representatives of Debrecen and Shymkent also signed a memorandum establishing a twinning partnership between the two cities.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Debrecen városa (Facebook)
