Liege, 26 February 2026 – Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Belgium Roman Vassilenko met with the Rector of the University of Liège (ULiège), Anne-Sophie Nyssen, and Vice-Rector for Education and Student Life Frédéric Schoenaers. The parties discussed the current state and prospects for expanding cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation.

The Ambassador emphasized that Kazakhstan is steadily strengthening its role as a regional educational and research hub in Central Asia. The country hosts numerous international academic centers and is actively developing double-degree programs and strategic partnerships with leading global universities. Special attention is given to applied research, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and technology transfer.

The parties expressed interest in expanding cooperation in high-technology and research-intensive fields. In particular, discussions focused on potential collaboration with the Centre Spatial de Liège (CSL), including training and internships for Kazakh engineers and researchers, as well as joint projects in spacecraft component testing, Earth observation, and satellite communication systems.

Opportunities for cooperation with the STAR Institute (Space Sciences, Technologies and Astrophysics Research) were also explored, particularly in space sciences, astrophysics, satellite data processing, and joint R&D in space optics and instrumentation.

In addition, prospects for collaboration with the TERRA platform at Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech were discussed in the fields of agronomy, bioengineering, agroecology, and precision agriculture. Kazakhstan expressed interest in joint research on climate-resilient agriculture, digitalization of the agro-industrial sector, and the launch of joint Master’s and PhD programs.

At the end of the meeting, information was also presented on the large-scale political and institutional reforms being implemented in Kazakhstan. Comprehensive modernization efforts are underway to strengthen the rule of law, enhance citizen participation in decision-making, and improve the efficiency of public institutions.

A key milestone will be the national referendum scheduled for 15 March 2026, at which citizens will vote on the draft of a new Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The proposed amendments are systemic in nature and aimed at reinforcing the principles of a rule-of-law state and sustainable development.

Following the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their readiness to deepen partnership through the development of double-degree programs, expansion of academic mobility, establishment of joint laboratories and research projects, and participation of ULiège in upcoming bilateral academic initiatives.

Background: founded in 1817, the University of Liège is one of Belgium’s oldest and leading research universities. It comprises 11 faculties covering engineering, natural sciences, medicine, humanities, and social sciences. ULiège hosts approximately 27,000 students and employs around 5,700 academic and research staff.

The University has strong expertise in engineering, space technologies, and astrophysics, including participation in European Space Agency projects through the Centre Spatial de Liège and the STAR Institute. A major strength is agro- and bioengineering at the Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech campus, where research in agronomy, sustainable agriculture, agroecology, and precision farming is actively developed. ULiège is also actively involved in international research consortia and EU programs.

Currently, eight students from Kazakhstan, including one PhD candidate, are enrolled at ULiège, and one Kazakh national is employed as a staff member. An agreement between ULiège and Maqsut Narikbayev University supports academic mobility and cooperation across the Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology, the Faculty of Applied Sciences (Engineering), and HEC Liège Management School.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-brussels/press/news/details/1171336?lang=kk