As part of the official visit of Estonian President Alar Karis to Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstan-Estonia rectors’ Forum was held in Astana, bringing together leading institutions of higher and postgraduate education from both countries.
The event served as an important platform for strengthening international academic cooperation and discussing strategic priorities for the development of higher education. President of Estonia Alar Karis emphasized the crucial role of universities amid rapid global transformations, noting that the expansion of artificial intelligence and digital technologies requires academic institutions to remain adaptable and innovative.
The Forum gathered Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Vice-Minister Gulzat Kobenova, Estonia’s Deputy Minister of Education and Research Raivo Vjenthal, as well as the rectors of major Estonian universities – Tallinn University, Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and the University of Tartu. Invited expert Peeter Mehisto delivered a lecture titled «Estonia’s PISA Success Story: Key Investments», sharing Estonia’s experience in developing human capital and enhancing talent preparation. 
Discussions at the Forum focused on key areas of higher education policy, institutional strategies, shared challenges faced by universities, innovative teaching approaches, the establishment of joint research centers and laboratories, and the expansion of cooperation in digitalization and artificial intelligence.
AlmaU was represented by First Vice-Rector Timur Buldybayev, who participated in dialogues on strengthening international partnerships, implementing digital technologies, and advancing joint academic initiatives.
The Forum concluded with the signing of several bilateral agreements, including the Cooperation Agreement between Almaty Management University and Tallinn University of Technology, which opens new opportunities for joint educational programs, academic mobility, and collaborative research.