Signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between KAFU and Educational Institutions

On February 6, 2026, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with several educational institutions in Ust-Kamenogorsk at the Kazakh-American Free University, under the leadership of Rector’s Advisor Natalia A. Nesterenko. The event brought together representatives of local educational institutions, as well as the university’s administration and students.

The memorandum cements the partnership between KAFU and educational institutions in Ust-Kamenogorsk, aimed at implementing joint projects in education and science. Representatives of the following educational institutions from the city joined the signing of the memorandum: School-Gymnasium № 12 (Director – Zhazira A. Mukasheva), Secondary School № 24 (Director – Lyazzat Mautkhanova), Secondary Single-Profile School № 37 (Director – Inna G. Gracheva), and Lev Gumilev Gymnasium № 38 (Director: Galina A. Parubova), and the Regional specialized school-lyceum for children gifted in mathematics, physics, and computer science (Director: Svetlana Y. Tinkova).

Students who graduated from these schools also attended the meeting, sharing their university experiences and the benefits of studying at KAFU.

University President Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziev noted that the memorandum will open up new opportunities for further strengthening educational ties and research initiatives. He emphasized that KAFU is always committed to providing high-quality education and supporting innovative approaches to teaching.

KAFU First Vice President Zhassulan Y. Baikenov presented the university’s multifaceted educational programs, successful accreditations, and the “SMART START KAFU” project. This project, a specialized class in a new format, is aimed at developing early university education for high school students and fostering a conscious approach to choosing their future profession. The program is targeted at motivated students who want to experience the university environment while still in school. The curriculum will be a blended learning experience with the participation of university faculty, allowing students to experience the atmosphere of a real university and master the academic standards of higher education.

The memorandum covers several key areas. The parties agreed to exchange teaching experience, create joint educational programs, and support academic exchanges to train specialists in pedagogy, law, business, foreign languages, and information technology. Cooperation in the scientific field is also envisaged, including joint research and the organization of scientific events. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of innovative educational technologies and cultural exchange, including internships and cultural initiatives for students and faculty.

The meeting was attended by the university’s American partners, Ronald Wiley and Allen Lenard, who expressed their willingness to support KAFU’s initiatives and collaborate in academic exchange and research.

The memorandum cements long-term cooperation between KAFU and educational institutions in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The parties agreed to hold regular meetings to assess the effectiveness of the cooperation and fulfill the obligations outlined in the document. This event opened up new prospects for the development of educational and scientific initiatives in the East Kazakhstan region and marked an important step toward strengthening ties between the university and educational institutions in the region, where almost half of the educational institutions are members of the KAFU educational consortium. The parties expressed hope for long-term and successful cooperation that will yield significant results for all participants.