Delegation from the University of Arizona Arrived at KAFU on a Working Visit.

On July 13, 2026, the Kazakh-American Free University welcomed representatives from the University of Arizona (USA). The delegation included Hugh Hallman, one of the founders of the Kazakh-American Free University; Jenny Jiyoung Lee, Professor at the Center for Higher Education Studies and Dean’s Scholar for Internationalization at the University of Arizona; Ricky Salazar, Senior Director for educational partnerships at the University of Arizona’s International Office; Ola Lundemo, an international specialist in marine biology and ecotourism, assistant professor of practice, and director of the Ecotourism educational program; and Aisulu Abdybayeva, advisor to the President of KAFU.

During the visit, the guests visited the Kazakh-American Free University, where they met with Yerezhep Mambetkaziyev, President of KAFU and Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event was also attended by KAFU First Vice President and PhD Zhassulan Y. Baikenov, Head of the International Cooperation Department Serik M. Abilov, and university staff. The parties discussed prospects for further cooperation, the implementation of joint educational and research projects, academic mobility, and new areas of collaboration with the University of Arizona.

The guests were given a tour of the university. They were introduced to KAFU’s modern educational and research infrastructure, visited classrooms, specialized centers, and laboratories, and learned about the university’s key international projects.

The delegation’s visit is aimed at strengthening KAFU’s long-standing partnership with its American colleagues and developing new joint initiatives in education, science, and international cooperation.