At the 18th Eduniversal World Convention, hosted by the Indian Institute of Management Indore (India), the results of the annual Eduniversal Palmes of Excellence ranking were officially announced.
The award ceremony concluded the second day of the event, one of its key highlights being the panel discussion “Building Strategies for Internationalization”. The session was chaired by Mike Wood, representative of the International Scientific Committee (ISC) for Oceania, and featured his ISC colleague for Eastern Europe, João Amaro de Matos, Vice-Rector of NOVA University Lisbon, Bruno van Pottelsberghe, Rector of Corvinus University of Budapest, and Assylbek Kozhakhmetov, Founder and President of Almaty Management University.
Participants reflected on the relevance, resilience, and responsibility of universities in today’s globalized world – exploring which models of partnership, academic mobility, and collaboration prove most effective amid global uncertainty, and how business education can sustain its global role while remaining connected to local contexts.
“In the new era of deglobalization, international cooperation is no longer about erasing differences, but about mastering the art of working together, learning from one another, and growing while preserving one’s uniqueness. The world is changing: globalization is transforming into a network of regional connections, where each nation develops its strengths and builds partnerships based on trust. For Kazakhstan, located at the heart of Eurasia, this is an opportunity to create a Eurasian corridor of knowledge and entrepreneurship linking India, the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia. Sustainability, technology, and cultural respect are becoming the foundation of a new internationalization. The success of universities is now measured not only by rankings but by real impact – by how graduates create meaningful projects, support communities, and make the world more sustainable. AlmaU will continue to build partnerships that unite regions – ensuring that education remains a force for good and knowledge a bridge between people and cultures,” – emphasized Assylbek Kozhakhmetov during the discussion.
The President’s address vividly reflected AlmaU’s philosophy – a commitment to meaningful internationalization, where global recognition is not an end in itself but the outcome of a long-term strategy grounded in quality, innovation, and the values of sustainable development.
This approach was highly appreciated by the Eduniversal international community: this year, Almaty Management University was awarded the prestigious distinction 5 Palmes of Excellence, recognizing universities with global influence and leadership. Receiving this highest category affirms AlmaU’s status as an institution setting business education standards not only in Kazakhstan but across Central Asia.
The Eduniversal Best Business Schools Ranking is regarded as one of the most authoritative in the academic world. It is compiled and published annually by Eduniversal, an international agency established in France in 1994 by the company SMBG. Nominees and awardees are determined by the International Scientific Committee, which brings together 11 regional experts and deans of leading business schools worldwide. Today, Eduniversal evaluates more than a thousand universities across 154 countries.
The evaluation criteria include academic reputation, international accreditations (for AlmaU – AMBA, AACSB, BGA, CEEMAN IQA, among others), dual-degree programs (such as the Global Executive MBA with Antwerp Management School), and participation in global rankings — including AlmaU’s recent achievements in QS Asia University Rankings and QS Stars, where it earned 4 Stars on its first attempt.
AlmaU’s strong standing is also supported by its academic reputation and active participation in international conferences and forums. Notably, the university will host the Regional Conference of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) in Almaty on June 11–12, 2026.
For Kazakhstan, AlmaU’s achievement represents more than academic recognition — it marks a strategic leap forward. The 5 Palmes of Excellence distinction enhances the country’s global prestige, strengthens international trust among students and partners, and fosters academic mobility, joint programs, and scientific collaboration.
With this milestone, AlmaU reinforces Kazakhstan’s status as an educational hub of Central Asia and demonstrates how national education can successfully compete on the global stage.