From 15 to 17 July 2026, a delegation from Almaty Management University (AlmaU), led by Rector Timur Buldybayev and Vice Rector for Global Partnerships Sholpan Tazabek, took part in the official visit of the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
The official delegation included representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as leaders and representatives of nine leading Kazakhstani universities. The visit focused on strengthening academic, scientific, and innovation cooperation between Kazakhstan and China. As a result, Kazakhstani universities signed 19 agreements with leading Chinese universities, creating new opportunities for joint academic programs, student mobility, and collaborative research.
Meetings with Leading Universities and Innovation Centers in Shanghai
On 15 July, the AlmaU delegation held meetings with the leadership of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), one of China’s premier research universities and among the world’s leading higher education institutions.
The delegation also visited the Design Innovation Institute Shanghai (DIIS), where they met with the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer, Srini Srinivasan. The discussions focused on innovation ecosystems, design thinking, entrepreneurship education, creative industries, and opportunities for future joint initiatives.
On 16 July, during a roundtable with executives of China’s leading high-tech companies, AlmaU signed two strategically important documents with the MBA Program Center and the Institute of Global Executive Education of Shanghai University: a Memorandum of Understanding and a Student Exchange Agreement.
The signing ceremony was attended by Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
On 17 July, AlmaU representatives visited the exhibition of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026), where they explored the latest developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, intelligent manufacturing, and digital technologies.
Later that day, the AlmaU delegation participated in a special Khan Tengri Hub event dedicated to strengthening cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and technology entrepreneurship.
The event brought together representatives of Khan Tengri Hub, Astana Hub, IT Park Uzbekistan, technology companies, investors, and key players from the region’s innovation ecosystem. Discussions focused on advancing AI cooperation between Central Asia and China, fostering startup development, attracting investment, commercializing technologies, and building stronger partnerships among universities, industry, and government institutions.
At the World’s Leading Artificial Intelligence Conference
The visit of the Kazakhstani university delegation coincided with the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026), one of the world’s premier international forums dedicated to artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and innovation.
Each year, WAIC brings together heads of state, representatives of international organizations, leading universities, research institutions, and the world’s largest technology companies.
The opening ceremony of WAIC 2026 was attended by President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, and President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In his address, President Tokayev emphasized the importance of international cooperation in artificial intelligence, open knowledge sharing, and the establishment of a fair global governance framework for emerging technologies.
One of the conference’s most significant outcomes was the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), the world’s first intergovernmental organization dedicated to advancing international cooperation and improving the global governance framework for artificial intelligence.
