London, June 2026  – From 14 to 24 June, a delegation from the Suleimenov Institute of Oriental Studies, led by its Director General, Professor Duken Masimkhanuly, paid an official working visit to the United Kingdom to expand international academic cooperation and further integrate Kazakhstan's scholarship into the global research community.

The programme included meetings with senior representatives and leading scholars from some of the United Kingdom's most prestigious academic, research, and archival institutions. Discussions focused on prospects for joint research, academic exchange, and collaboration in the study of unique historical sources.

The visit began with a meeting with Alison Ohta, Director of the Royal Asiatic Society. The discussions covered current developments in Oriental Studies, expanding access for Kazakhstani researchers to rare manuscripts and archival collections, and opportunities for training the next generation of specialists in the field. Particular attention was given to establishing international research placements and fellowships for Kazakhstani doctoral candidates and early-career scholars at leading research institutions in London. Both sides expressed a strong commitment to developing long-term academic cooperation and creating new opportunities for the professional development of young researchers.

A key milestone of the visit was a meeting at the University of Cambridge, held at the Alison Richard Building. The discussions focused on the study of medieval Central Asian history, the identification and systematisation of new historical sources relating to the ancient Turkic civilisation and the Desht-i Kipchak period. Cambridge scholars reaffirmed their readiness to support Kazakhstani researchers through the exchange of academic materials and participation in international conferences organised by the R.B. Suleimenov Institute of Oriental Studies.

The delegation also met with Dr Juliette Desplat, Head of International Collaboration at The National Archives of the United Kingdom. Discussions centred on identifying, studying, and introducing previously unexplored documentary sources on the history of the medieval Turkic world and its contribution to the development of Eurasian civilisation.

According to Dr Desplat, the British archival collections contain a substantial number of unique and little-studied documents relating to the history of the East, the early development of the Turkic peoples, interstate relations, and diplomatic exchanges of past centuries. Many of these materials hold significant scholarly value and offer new opportunities for research into the history of Central Asia.

The meeting concluded with agreements to strengthen joint research activities, facilitate the exchange of copies of archival documents, and establish mechanisms for regular professional collaboration between scholars from Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom.

The final stage of the programme was a visit to SOAS University of London, where the Kazakhstani delegation explored its unique library holdings and specialised collections, including rare manuscripts, historical documents, and artefacts reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Asia and Africa.

A particularly significant outcome of the visit was SOAS's announcement of plans to introduce a Kazakh language programme. To support this initiative, the British side expressed its interest in engaging specialists from the R.B. Suleimenov Institute of Oriental Studies in curriculum development, teaching, and the exchange of pedagogical expertise.

The visit, organised with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom, marked an important step towards strengthening international academic cooperation, expanding institutional partnerships, and enhancing the global profile of Kazakhstan's humanities scholarship.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa-london/press/news/details/1248620?lang=ru