New Opportunities for International Educational Cooperation between Kazakhstan and France

The management of JSC “Center for International Programs” held a meeting with the Cultural and Cooperation Advisor of the Embassy of France in Kazakhstan, Mr. Sébastien de Courtois.

During the meeting, Chairman of the Board Adil Kusmanov and his Deputy Kaysar Yerkinbayev provided a detailed overview of the Center’s key areas of activity. Special attention was given to the international scholarship programs “Bolashak”, “Scientific Internships” and intergovernmental grants.

“Currently, the Center is implementing four key initiatives aimed at training specialists in priority sectors of the national economy. The most well-known is the Bolashak scholarship program, which has prepared more than 13,000 qualified professionals since 1993. Since 2023, the strategic priorities of this program have included STEM specialties, artificial intelligence, engineering and medicine,” – noted Adil Kusmanov.

In addition, the parties discussed the existing cooperation with France. The tripartite agreement signed in 2023 between the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Embassy of France, and the Center paved the way for training Kazakhstani specialists proficient in French for studies and internships in France.

Kaysar Yerkinbayev emphasized: “France has always been an important partner in the training of young specialists from Kazakhstan. From 1994 to 2025, 209 specialists completed academic training and scientific internships in France. Moreover, the inclusion of French universities among the accredited partners of the Bolashak and Scientific Internships programs demonstrates the high level of academic cooperation between our countries.”

The meeting also covered the operation of intergovernmental grant mechanisms. The partnership of Kazakhstan with Hungary, China, and a number of other countries in the field of education was noted.

Summarizing the discussion of current cooperation areas and the consideration of new opportunities, Sébastien de Courtois stated:

“It is a great pleasure for us to discuss such large-scale programs aimed at high-quality training of young specialists in Kazakhstan. This opens up new opportunities for deepening academic cooperation between France and Kazakhstan. We are ready to support new projects and joint initiatives.”

The meeting was held in a warm atmosphere, and the parties confirmed their willingness to further develop academic and cultural ties between the two countries.