On February 26, 2026, a business breakfast was held at Almaty Management University (AlmaU) with the participation of members of the France-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, representatives of the French Consulate General, and the Franco-Kazakh business community.
The event served as a platform to strengthen connections between the entrepreneurial and academic sectors, discuss joint projects, and develop strategic partnerships in education and business.
Today, AlmaU is a large community of successful alumni, creative students, faculty, and partners across Central Asia. The university fosters systematic interaction with business and government, guided by the principles of the UN Global Compact and PRME, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
Opening the meeting, AlmaU President Asylbek Kozhakmetov emphasized the importance of Franco-Kazakh educational cooperation:
“It is a great honor for us to host representatives of the French business and diplomatic community. Our cooperation with France has been developing dynamically for many years. During this time, we have established stable academic partnerships with leading French universities and business schools – ESSEC, emlyon, Excelia, Burgundy School of Business, and others. Each year, about 30 of our students study in France, while around 15 French students come to AlmaU. We implement faculty exchanges, joint modules, and double-degree programs. This is not just statistics – it represents real educational trajectories and the strengthening of trust between our countries.”
The President noted that the French approach to management – systematic, strategic, and responsibility-oriented – aligns closely with AlmaU’s philosophy as an entrepreneurial university.
“For us, it is important to build partnerships not formally, but substantively – with a clear understanding of mutual benefit and long-term perspective. The university should serve as a platform for ideas, solutions, and the preparation of specialists who understand the international context,” he added.
The Director General of the France-Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Stephen Bostroem, highlighted AlmaU’s active role in the business community:
“AlmaU is one of the most active members of our Chamber. In 2025, the university received an award in the field of corporate social responsibility among French chambers worldwide. The primary goal of such events is networking: to get to know each other better, discuss projects, identify common interests, and implement joint initiatives.”
The French Consul General in Almaty, Maxime Gehringer emphasized that education remains a key area of strategic partnership between the two countries:
“Education is an important priority for our countries and for French companies, which need local talent that understands the economic realities of the region. The university is the main bridge connecting students with the business world.”
During the event, the launch of an initiative aimed at developing double-degree programs, reducing the gap between universities and companies, and creating joint educational programs tailored to business needs was also announced.
The business breakfast concluded with an open discussion and informal networking, during which participants explored prospects for joint educational and corporate projects.
AlmaU continues to strengthen its role as a center for entrepreneurial education and international cooperation, combining academic expertise with the real demands of business.
The meeting confirmed the high interest of the Franco-Kazakh business community in developing partnerships and marked another step toward building a sustainable ecosystem linking education and the economy.