On 25 September 2026, Almaty Management University (AlmaU) hosted a meeting with a delegation from Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics (ZUFE), China, during which the two universities signed an agreement on the joint establishment of a Chinese Cultural Exchange Center.
The meeting marked another step in strengthening strategic cooperation between Kazakhstan and China in the fields of education, science, culture, and human capital development. The exchange ceremony for the signed agreements was held as part of the First Kazakhstan-China Investment Forum, attended by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in Almaty on 25 September 2026.
Prior to the signing ceremony, representatives of AlmaU and ZUFE held a working meeting to discuss prospects for further cooperation between the two universities, the development of joint educational initiatives, and new areas of academic collaboration.
The ZUFE delegation included Zhixian Chai, Dean of the School of International Education, and Yuhua Li, Assistant Dean of the School of Economics.
A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of an agreement to jointly establish the Chinese Cultural Exchange Center at AlmaU. The new Center will serve as a platform for strengthening educational and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and China.
The Center is expected to offer language and intercultural training programs, including initiatives designed for members of the business communities of Kazakhstan and China. The initiative aims to develop intercultural communication skills, foster a deeper understanding of the linguistic and business environments of both countries, and create new opportunities for interaction and cooperation between Kazakhstani and Chinese entrepreneurs.
The establishment of the Center represents another important milestone in the development of international cooperation between AlmaU and ZUFE, bringing together the educational, cultural, and practical dimensions of their partnership.
Strengthening the Strategic Partnership between AlmaU and ZUFE
AlmaU and Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics have been consistently expanding their cooperation in education and academic mobility. One of the key joint initiatives has been the establishment of the Silk Road School, a joint educational platform officially launched at AlmaU in June 2024 with the participation of ZUFE, representatives of the Zhejiang Provincial Government, and the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Almaty.
As part of the partnership, the universities implement summer educational programs, research internships, and joint academic activities. In October 2024, AlmaU and ZUFE jointly held the Silk Road Business Training Program, which covered topics including global supply chains, international marketing, Chinese culture, and cross-border e-commerce.
In March 2026, AlmaU and ZUFE also signed an agreement to launch double-degree programs in International Trade and International Law, marking a new stage in the development of the universities’ educational partnership.
The new agreement to establish the Chinese Cultural Exchange Center builds on this ongoing cooperation and provides an additional institutional platform for promoting language, cultural, and educational exchange between Kazakhstan and China.