UB Expands Central Asia Ties Through Partnership with KazNARU

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Brawijaya University (UB) in Malang, East Java, is broadening its international reach by initiating academic and research cooperation with Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNARU) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The meeting on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, marked a significant step in UB’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Central Asia, a region increasingly important for global collaboration in agriculture, food security, and sustainable development.

Led by Vice Rector for Planning, Cooperation, and Internationalization Andi Kurniawan, the UB delegation met with KazNARU’s Vice Rector Gulmira Alpysbayeva, International Office Head Abzal Abdramanov, and Global Development Manager Nuriya Imasheva. Both sides mapped out opportunities for joint initiatives, with a strong emphasis on collaborative agroindustry research to address challenges in agriculture, energy, environment, and sustainability.

“This partnership is a strategic move for UB to expand its international network, particularly in Central Asia,” Andi noted, as quoted on UB official website, on Saturday, July 25, 2026.

Beyond research, the universities are exploring academic mobility programs including student exchanges, visiting lectures, joint classes, and faculty development. Plans also include double degree programs, giving students the chance to earn qualifications recognized by both institutions.

Capacity building formed another key agenda, with discussions on scientific internships for master’s and doctoral students, training for lecturers, and initiatives to strengthen research and publication skills. Both sides also highlighted the importance of technology transfer and extension services to ensure research outcomes benefit communities and industries, particularly in the agroindustry sector.

The meeting laid the groundwork for phased collaboration, starting with joint research projects and expanding into broader academic and community-focused initiatives. For UB, the partnership signals a deliberate push to diversify its global alliances and reinforce its ambition of becoming a world-class university. ***