Visually-Impaired Version 
Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) recently welcomed representatives from one of the leading universities in the United States — Penn State University. The American delegation met with the senior leadership of MNU to discuss the enhancement of the existing partnership.
The Penn State University delegation comprised Assistant Professor Phillip Jolly and Associate Director for Partnership Agreements and Eurasia Partnerships, Vlad Likholetov. Professor Jolly presented the academic offerings of the School of Hospitality Management, which has produced over 17,000 graduates and is recognised globally as a leader in hospitality education. He also expressed the university’s interest in increasing the enrolment of students from Kazakhstan.
The representatives of Penn State University met with Talgat Narikbayev, Chairman of the Board of MNU, and familiarised themselves with the university’s activities. Sergey Pen, Provost of Maqsut Narikbayev University, provided a detailed overview of MNU’s educational programmes and explored potential opportunities for collaboration in the fields of tourism and hospitality, development of dual degree programmes, international accreditation, and academic mobility. Anar Ibrayeva, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts, highlighted MNU’s achievements in preparing professionals for the tourism industry, including international internships, partnerships with global hotel chains, and the successful launch of collaborative programmes with universities in France and Switzerland.
Founded in 1855, Penn State University is one of the largest and most respected research institutions in the United States. Earlier this year, Chairman of the Board of MNU Talgat Narikbayev and Provost Sergey Pen visited Penn State University, where agreements were reached to expand cooperation. During that visit, plans were outlined for the implementation of joint academic initiatives in the fields of hospitality management, journalism, communications, and international relations. These initiatives include the development of joint educational programmes such as 2+2, 3+1, BA+MA, and an opportunity for graduates of MNU’s Law School to pursue studies under the SJD programme — the American equivalent of a PhD.
This meeting marked a significant step towards strengthening academic ties between Kazakhstan and the United States, with MNU serving as an open platform for the exchange of global knowledge, best practices, and innovation.
