CEGREG held its first Student Research Conference on International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Diplomacy

On May 15, CEGREG held its first Student Research Conference on International Relations, Foreign Policy, and Diplomacy under the theme “Navigating Global Uncertainties: Central Asia and the Future of International Order.” The event marked a significant milestone in the Center’s development, reflecting its commitment to fostering student-led research and academic exchange. This conference was organized within the framework of activities to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Maqsut Narikbayev, the university’s honorary rector.

Over 45 students from MNU, Astana IT University and Nazarbayev University presented 25 papers across eight interdisciplinary panels.

The conference opened with a keynote speech by Dr. Bakytzhan Kurmanov, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Central Asia, on topic of challenges of doing social sciences research in Central Asia. The plenary session also featured the launch of the first issue of CEGREG Research Digest, in collaboration with ISE Career Center. Panel discussions throughout the day explored a wide range of topics—from regional identity and multivector diplomacy to cybersecurity and global governance—offering a vibrant platform for academic dialogue and peer engagement.

This inaugural conference laid the foundation for what will become an annual CEGREG tradition—empowering emerging junior scholars and amplifying Central Asia’s voice in global governance research.