Budapest, 20 November 2025 - The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Hungary hosted a meeting between Ambassador Abzal Saparbekuly and Kazakhstani master's and doctoral students participating in the dual degree program jointly implemented by the Kazakh University of Water Management and Irrigation and Corvinus University of Budapest.

          The group includes employees of various government agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstani specialists were accompanied by Professor Dr Márton Krasznai, Executive Director of the Central Asian Studies Centre at Corvinus University.

          During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of water-related education, strengthening international cooperation, training specialists in the field of water governance, and promoting water diplomacy.

          Ambassador Abzal Saparbekuly emphasised the importance of  participation of Kazakhstani students in European educational programs, noting that competencies in water resources management directly contribute to improving the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s national water policy and expanding international cooperation.

          It was also noted that the program aligns with the instruction of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, to strengthen the human capacity of the water sector, including the development of expertise in water diplomacy, international negotiation processes, and the management of transboundary basins.

          Background: Under the dual degree program between the Kazakh University of Water Management and Irrigation and Corvinus University, 13 Kazakhstani master's students are studying water management, water diplomacy, and water governance - modern international approaches to sustainable water resources management.

          The academic program develops skills in water policy analysis, strategic planning, and interstate cooperation in transboundary basins. Special attention is given to European water governance models, which rely on scientific data, regulatory instruments, institutional coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

          Classes are conducted at Corvinus University of Budapest, one of Europe’s leading centers for training specialists in natural resources, water policy, and international water management. Students study: EU water governance models; international water law and transboundary agreements; mechanisms for preventing and resolving water conflicts; methods of open governance and stakeholder engagement; and tools for monitoring and evaluating water policy.

          In addition, experts from the Ministry of Energy of Hungary and the national water company participated in the academic process, presenting practical case studies and modern institutional models of water systems management.

          An important component of the program was practical training dedicated to the management of the Danube Basin — one of the most successful examples of international cooperation in the field of water resources. The Kazakhstani participants visited relevant institutions, research centers, and bodies responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Danube Convention and EU water programs.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-budapest/press/news/details/1112463?lang=kk