To further advance the "Open BUCT" initiative, strengthen high-level academic exchanges and research collaboration with universities across the Belt and Road region, and build a solid foundation for international cooperation during the university’s 15th Five-Year Plan period, Party Secretary Liu Guiqin led a delegation on a visit to Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Istanbul Technical University, Boğaziçi University, Nazarbayev University, and L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University from April 7 to 16. The delegation also visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kazakhstan.
At Universiti Malaya (UM), the delegation held discussions with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, Dean of the Faculty of Science Saiful Anuar Karsani, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Hanee Farzana, Director of the International Relations Centre Zuliana Razali, and other university representatives. This marked BUCT’s first official visit to UM. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on the implementation of the institutional cooperation agreement and student exchange programs, reaching broad consensus on high-quality research resource sharing, joint doctoral education, international summer schools, and faculty exchanges.
Delegation Visits Universiti Malaya
Delegation Visits Universiti Malaya
At Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), the delegation held discussions with Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) Narimah Samat, Director of the Academic & International Affairs Office Lee Keat Teong, Dean of the School of Mathematical Sciences Ahmad Lutfi Amri Ramli, Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering Abdullah Aziz Saad, and faculty representatives. This marked BUCT’s first visit to USM, where both sides exchanged views on joint student training programs and research collaboration. The delegation also toured the university library and student activity center.
Delegation Visits Universiti Sains Malaysia
Delegation Visits Universiti Sains Malaysia
At Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ), the delegation held discussions with President Hasan Mandal, Vice Presidents İpek Akın Karadayı and Lütfiye Durak Ata, Director of the Imer Institute Derya Yiksel, Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering Sebahattin Gürmen, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Samet Yiicel Kadioglu, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Hasan Günes, and 16 other university representatives. Building on previous reciprocal visits, the two sides further explored cooperation opportunities in joint student training, faculty and student exchanges, and research collaboration, reaching preliminary agreement on the establishment of a joint laboratory. President Hasan Mandal signed a student exchange agreement with BUCT on behalf of İTÜ. During the visit, the delegation toured İTÜ’s laboratories.
Student Exchange Agreement Signing Ceremony with the President of Istanbul Technical University
Delegation Tours İTÜ Laboratories
At Boğaziçi University, the delegation held discussions with President M. Naci İnci, Vice President Fatih Usluer, Director of the Institute of Environmental Sciences Burak Demirel, and Deputy Head of the International Office Serdar Çöp on advancing research collaboration. The two sides also exchanged views on the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education and explored potential strategies for addressing related challenges.President M. Naci İnci signed a student exchange agreement with BUCT on behalf of Boğaziçi University.
Student Exchange Agreement Signing Ceremony with the President of Boğaziçi University
Delegation Visits Boğaziçi University
At Nazarbayev University, the delegation held discussions with President Waqar Ahmad, Provost Rehan Sadiq, Vice President Bjorn Birgisson, Dean of the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences Yelyzaveta Arkhangelsky, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences Gonzalo Hortelano, Director of ISSAI Huseyin Atakan Varol, and Director of INMET Zhumabay Bakenov. This marked BUCT’s first visit to Nazarbayev University. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on international cooperation and research collaboration, reaching important consensus on actively advancing future collaborative initiatives.
Delegation Visits Nazarbayev University
During the visit, the delegation toured the Institute of New Energy Technologies and Materials (INMET) at Nazarbayev University, a research institute established under the Astana National Laboratory (NLA) and jointly founded by Nazarbayev University and the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. The two sides conducted discussions on key areas including energy technologies, artificial intelligence and digital modeling, materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, sustainable development, and low-carbon technologies. Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan and INMET Director Zhumabay Bakenov signed an international research cooperation agreement with BUCT on behalf of INMET.
Delegation Visits the Institute of New Energy Technologies and Materials
International Research Cooperation Agreement Signing Ceremony with the Institute of New Energy Technologies and Materials
At L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU), the delegation held discussions with President Sydykov Yerlan, Vice President for Strategic Development and Internationalization Aitmagambetov Duman, Dean of the Faculty of Transport and Energy Kokayev Umirzhan, Deputy Director of the Institute of Physics and Technology Abdirashev Omirzak, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics Kozybayev Daniyar, and Director of the International Cooperation Department Karmelyuk Anastassiya. This marked BUCT’s first visit to ENU. The two sides introduced their respective institutional development and international cooperation achievements, while exchanging views on further strengthening research collaboration and joint student training programs.
Delegation Visiting Eurasian National University
In-depth Exchange with the President of Eurasian National University
At the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kazakhstan, Ambassador Han Chunlin met with the delegation. Secretary Liu Guiqin briefed the Ambassador on the purpose and background of the visit, BUCT’s development achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, and its ongoing cooperation with universities in Kazakhstan. Ambassador Han Chunlin provided an overview of Kazakhstan’s economic and social development, as well as China-Kazakhstan cooperation, with particular emphasis on collaboration in higher education. He expressed the Embassy’s strong support for BUCT in leveraging its disciplinary strengths to further deepen exchanges and cooperation with Kazakhstani universities in areas including chemical engineering, environmental science, and artificial intelligence.
Delegation Visits the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Kazakhstan
Wang Weimin, Dean of the College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering; Wang Wei, Dean of the College of Mathematics and Physics; Feng Jianghong, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange; and Wei Changlin, Deputy Director of the Party Committee Office, accompanied the delegation throughout the visit.
1. Universiti Malaya (UM) – Malaysia’s oldest, largest, and highest-ranked university. Ranked 58th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, UM remains the highest-ranked university in Malaysia, with 18 disciplines placed among the world’s top 100.
2. Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) – Founded in 1969, USM is Malaysia’s second public university and one of the country’s five research-intensive universities. With strong academic capabilities in science, engineering, and medicine, it offers a broad range of disciplines spanning from archaeology to nanotechnology. USM ranked 146th globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings, ranking second among Malaysian universities.
3. Istanbul Technical University (İTÜ) – A leading public research university and Turkey’s oldest higher education institution specializing in engineering and technology. Renowned for its strengths in engineering and architecture, İTÜ has more than 20 engineering programs accredited by ABET. It ranked 298th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, with engineering and technology being Turkey’s only discipline area represented among the global top 100.
4. Boğaziçi University – A prestigious public research university in Türkiye, widely recognized for its excellence in engineering, social sciences, and natural sciences. It ranked 418th globally in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.
5. Nazarbayev University – A public research university and Kazakhstan’s most internationally oriented higher education institution, where English serves as the primary language of instruction. The university aims to become a leading benchmark for education and research in Eurasia. It ranked 501–600 globally in the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, maintaining its leading position in Central Asia, and ranked 201st in the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings.
6. L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) – A public research university renowned for its focus on Eurasian studies and its role as an academic bridge connecting Eastern and Western civilizations. ENU ranked 317th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, placing among the top three universities in Kazakhstan, and ranked 65th in the 2025 QS Asia University Rankings.