On February 18, 2025, the Almaty Management University (AlmaU) hosted the solemn event “Central Asia’s Gateway to Global Executive Education: Networking & Reception” marking the launch of the first international dual degree program, Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), in Kazakhstan.
The event featured an official part including the addresses of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Head of the Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as other authoritative representatives of organizations strengthening bilateral relations represented by the Diplomatic Trade and Economic Representation of Belgium in Kazakhstan “AWEX Almaty” and Europe and Central Asia Transport and Trade Association (ECATA). As part of the event, B2B meetings were held between the representatives of Kazakh and Belgian companies.
Kazakhstani business education reaching a global level
The event aligns with Kazakhstan’s overall strategy for internationalization of education, and it is expected that the new Global Executive MBA program will contribute to enhancing the country’s role as an emerging international educational hub.
The GEMBA program was developed by AlmaU in partnership with Antwerp Management School (AMS, Belgium), one of the leading global business schools, ranked in the Top-50 according to the Financial Times and holding a “Triple Crown” of international accreditations (AACSB, AMBA, EFMD). The program participants will have an opportunity to study at the world’s leading institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), Singapore Management University (Singapore), Antwerp Management School (Belgium) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Switzerland).
In view of the great success and high interest in the event, AlmaU plans to expand its efforts on bringing together on its platform the representatives of business communities not only from Kazakhstan and Belgium, but also from Central Asia and Europe in general. In turn, close engagement of educational and business communities will also consistently complement and enrich each other. It is expected that, in response to the requests from business community, events will be organized based on industrial and other needs, for example, such as the Forum on Transport and Logistics. In this Forum, Belgian companies will not only share their experience in this area, but also highlight successful cases of long-term cooperation with companies from Kazakhstan. As is known, the Port of Antwerp ranks second in terms of volumes and first in digitalization; and, every Kazakh transport expert would benefit from visiting it at least once.
Strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Belgium
In his speech, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Henri Vantieghem, noted: “Our countries have previously initiated academic cooperation through Ghent University, and I am glad that partnership between Antwerp Management School and AlmaU within the GEMBA international program will become another important step in strengthening bilateral relations between Belgium and Kazakhstan, now in the field of business education”. He also emphasized the cultural and economic peculiarities of his country. In particular, Belgium, according to him, despite its small territory, has a developed economy and a high quality of life based on centuries-old traditions of humanism.
In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Head of the Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Margulan Baimukhan, emphasized that the GEMBA program strengthens Kazakhstan’s position as a center for educating managers for the global economy: “The connection we are creating today is shaping the future of education and leadership in Kazakhstan and Central Asia”. According to him, in recent years, the interest of Kazakhstani youth in higher education in Belgium has been growing. Currently, about 100 students are studying there compared to only 30 in 2019. “In addition, Kazakhstan and Belgium cooperate in the economic area: in 2023, the Kazakh-Belgian Business Council was established, and within its framework, two meetings have already been held. At the same time, the volume of trade turnover between the two countries in 2024 reached 456 million euros”, he concluded.
Government level support
In his video address, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with global universities and leading companies, as well as joint government initiatives that foster an enabling ecosystem for business, innovation, and technological development.
“A striking example of this is GEMBA program implemented jointly with Antwerp Management School. This program combining the experience of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Singapore Management University, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich and Antwerp Management School, provides students with high-quality education blending European, Kazakh, and international business culture”, the Minister noted.
Kazakhstan is both Europe and Asia 
The President of AlmaU, Assylbek Kozhakhmetov, called the GEMBA program launch a strategically important step for regional and international leadership development:
“This program combines cutting-edge business approaches from Europe, Central Asia, USA, and Singapore. Our graduates will earn not just an MBA, but a unique international experience that will help them implement transformational changes in their companies, industries, and the economy as a whole”.
Bart Cambré, Associate Dean of Research and Valorization of AMS, presented a historical overview highlighting Belgium’s rich academic tradition and its contribution to the development of global business education. “Our University of Antwerp has existed for centuries, and our business school was founded in 1959, with one of the oldest MBA programs in the region. We treat CEOs not just as representatives of the local business environment, but as participants in a global process. Kazakhstan, located at the intersection of Asia and Europe and bordering China and Russia, has significant potential considering our cooperation”, he noted.
Also, according to him, AlmaU is a rapidly developing university sharing common values with AMS. “Our universities do not educate the best leaders of the world, but the best leaders for the world”, Bart Cambré commented.
The event culminated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting due to the official launch of GEMBA program in Kazakhstan. The event was held in Networking & Reception format that enabled participants not only to discuss trends in business education, but also to take part in strengthening business contacts between Kazakhstan and Belgium, and the European Union as a whole.
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The significance of the event was further enhanced by the participation of major international and local companies from various economic sectors as partners including Lufthansa Group, Soudal Group, Alimp Group, Sarens, Leonidas, Puratos, Mercure Almaty City Center, Spirit Trade, Platinum Partners, Kormovik JV, Almaty Soul, and Café Leffe.