On September 18, 2026 AlmaU welcomed a delegation from Shanghai University today for a high-level meeting aimed at broadening an existing partnership and exploring new avenues for academic collaboration in business education, entrepreneurship, and joint program development.
Shanghai University is one of China’s most prestigious and comprehensive higher education institutions, consistently ranked among the top universities in the country and recognized internationally for its excellence in research, innovation, and global engagement. With a strong reputation in business, engineering, and social sciences, the university serves as a key driver of academic and economic development in the Shanghai region and beyond.
The visit builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) previously signed between the two institutions, which established a foundation for collaboration through Shanghai University’s MBA program. During today’s meeting, both sides expressed their intention to broaden the scope of the existing MOU, expanding cooperation into new areas of mutual interest.
The Shanghai University delegation included:
- Gou Yannan – Vice President
- Chu Guizhong – Director of the Finance Department
- Zhai Qingqing – Dean of the School of Management
- Liu Junjie – Deputy Director of the International Office
Representing AlmaU were:
- Sholpan Tazabek – Vice-Rector for Global Partnerships
- Azamat Auyezkhanuly – Dean of the School of Management
- Aizhan Sapargalieva – Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Transformative Humanities
- Aigerim Yelibayeva – Director of Executive Education, Leadership and Consulting Department, Graduate School of Business
- Aigerim Sagintayeva – Project Manager, Institute of Entrepreneurship
- Aliya Akpayeva – Director of the International Cooperation Department
During the discussions, the two sides focused on partnership opportunities in business education and entrepreneurship. Key topics included student exchange programs with the School of Management and the School of Media and Film, as well as the development of joint academic programs aimed at entering the Central Asian market.
The parties also explored collaboration in the fields of finance and law, and discussed potential partnerships with the Graduate School of Business (GSB), specifically the launch of joint programs. The expansion of the MOU would allow both institutions to formalize cooperation across a wider range of disciplines and initiatives.
The meeting concluded with both institutions expressing their commitment to deepening cooperation and outlining concrete steps toward an expanded partnership agreement. AlmaU continues to strengthen its international footprint by building meaningful alliances with leading universities across Asia and beyond.