Stubb’s visit to MNU marked his first official trip to Kazakhstan as Finland’s President. During the lecture, he discussed the potential for cooperation between the two nations, the importance of the rule of law, and the role of middle powers in global politics. He also highlighted the Finnish concept of Sisu—a term that encapsulates Finnish resilience and determination.

“I shared my perspective on the transformation of the global order with the students, as the next generation will play a pivotal role in this process. We must always hold onto values such as integrity, sovereignty, and independence,” Stubb remarked.

The Finnish President’s appearance underscored Kazakhstan’s growing influence on the international stage, a development fueled by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiatives to promote values of openness, trust, and a fair global order. Thanks to President Tokayev’s policies, such dialogues have become possible, further strengthening the country’s global standing. MNU Chairman Talgat Narikbayev expressed gratitude to President Stubb for the opportunity for dialogue and conveyed his belief that the lecture would inspire students to pursue new accomplishments and research.

The event was attended by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, MNU faculty members, experts, members of the Finnish delegation, and both Kazakh and international journalists. A special segment of the lecture was dedicated to answering student questions.

“The lecture was insightful. President Stubb shared his thoughts on public service, bilateral relations, and the future direction of our world. I particularly remember his valuable advice on how to make the most of all our opportunities,” said MNU student Alikhan Isekeshev.

Earlier, MNU had hosted lectures from prominent global leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and former Dutch Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

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Maqsut Narikbayev University continues to expand its academic exchange program. The university has signed a memorandum with the Education Center at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan.

The document is aimed at promoting and strengthening cooperation between the university and the center. Under the agreement, Korean language instructors will be sent to MNU. The program is funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by MNU Provost Sergey Pen and Kim Honghwan, Director of the Education Center at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Kazakhstan. Both parties expressed confidence in establishing long-term cooperation and launching joint educational projects. In addition, representatives of the center familiarized themselves with the university’s infrastructure.

It should be noted that Maqsut Narikbayev University has agreements with Korean universities on double-degree and academic mobility programs. Earlier, the university signed memorandum with leading universities in China.

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The President of the Venice Commission arrived in the capital of Kazakhstan to take part in the international forum on constitutional justice Peace and the Future through Law. Alongside forum participants, she attended an official reception with the Head of State. At the meeting with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, she noted that Kazakhstan, as an important partner of the Council of Europe, actively participates in various conventions and implements effective institutional reforms to strengthen the rule of law.

A key highlight of her visit to MNU was the interactive simulation game Venice Commission Model, organised with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan. By modelling the work of the real Venice Commission, students demonstrated in-depth knowledge of international relations, law, and high-level debating skills. Claire Bazy Malaurie highly praised the students’ preparation and organisation of the event, emphasizing the importance of such formats in training future lawyers and diplomats.

“It was extremely impressive to see students engage with such a profound understanding of legal mechanisms. This is evidence of the great potential of the new generation,” noted Claire Bazy Malaurie.

Kazakhstan has been a member of the Venice Commission since 2012. The Commission is an advisory body on constitutional law under the Council of Europe, tasked with analysing laws and draft legislation related to constitutional issues and the protection of human rights. The visit of the President of the Venice Commission to MNU underlines the growing international reputation of education in Kazakhstan and its role in shaping the global agenda.

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The filming of episodes for the Chinese international news channel CGTN and the Azerbaijani international news channel AnewZ took place on the campus of Maqsut Narikbayev University. This became possible through the university’s partnership with the Television and Radio Complex of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The programmes were broadcast to a wide international audience, reaching viewers in over 100 countries.

A special edition of World Insight, produced by CGTN, was dedicated to the Second Central Asia–China Summit. Kazakhstani and international experts exchanged views on new approaches to partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and China, and responded to questions from MNU students. The programme was also broadcast on Kazakhstan’s first national satellite TV channel, Silk Way, in six languages.

The latest episode of AnewZ Talks, produced by AnewZ TV, focused on the growing interconnection between media and diplomacy. Participants discussed the influence of media on diplomatic processes in the era of artificial intelligence. Among the invited experts was Miras Zhienbayev, Adviser to the Chairman of the Board of MNU on International Relations and Initiatives.

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Austria remains one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners in Central Europe and holds strategic importance for domestic exports. To date, approximately 180 enterprises with Austrian capital are registered in Kazakhstan.

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The project’s inauguration took place on the eve of the second Central Asia–China Summit, scheduled for 17 June in Astana. As part of the festival, over ten documentaries and television programmes are set to be broadcast on Central Asian television channels. These productions highlight key dimensions of national life, including socio-economic development, cultural heritage, and everyday life stories.

“For thousands of years, the peoples of China and Central Asia jointly established the Silk Road, which connected East and West, Asia and Europe, and made a historic contribution to the exchange, mutual enrichment, and development of world civilisations. Today, cinema and television are becoming bridges that compose a new symphony of friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples,” stated Shen Haixiong, President of the China Media Group, in a video message.

The launch ceremony was attended by representatives of the Eurasian Bureau of the China Media Group, heads of national media organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, staff of Maqsut Narikbayev University, and invited media experts. MNU Provost Sergey Pen noted that the initiative marks the beginning of a new format of cultural and media collaboration between China and the countries of Central Asia.

“This project is not merely an exchange of media content, but a vibrant dialogue between societies. Viewers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan relate to the characters in Chinese stories and discover a new language of empathy. At the same time, Chinese audiences, by engaging with Central Asian cultures, take a step towards genuine respect and mutual trust. We believe that Cultural Ties – 2025 will serve as a solid foundation for future joint initiatives,” said Sergey Pen.

It should be noted that Maqsut Narikbayev University acted as a partner of the event, providing the venue for the festival’s launch and reaffirming its commitment to the principles of international dialogue, academic cooperation, and cultural exchange.

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A senior representative of Meta’s top management, Milner shared insights into the company’s global approach to safeguarding young people online. He delivered a speech at the presentation of Instagram Teen Accounts in Kazakhstan, an event organised by Meta Platforms Inc. in cooperation with the Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan and supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The event brought together Yerzhan Sadenov, Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Dinara Zakiyeva, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan; the leadership of Maqsut Narikbayev University; members of the Senate and Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan; representatives from several ministries and international organisations; as well as school students from Astana. The newly introduced Teen Accounts — designed for users under the age of 16 — feature enhanced security and parental control measures. This innovation was developed based on international research and consultations with parents, aiming to mitigate risks related to cyberbullying and exposure to harmful content.

Simon Milner also held meetings with Talgat Narikbayev, Chairman of the MNU Board, and Sergey Pen, Provost of MNU. The discussions focused on potential areas of collaboration, including the proposed launch of the VERA Lab project—the first research centre in Central Asia dedicated to digital ethics and online safety. Additionally, the Meta Vice President toured MNU’s facilities and expressed appreciation to the university’s leadership for hosting the event.

The launch of Teen Accounts in Kazakhstan is expected to represent a significant step towards creating a safer digital environment tailored to the developmental needs of teenagers and the expectations of their parents.

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The event was organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the UN Country Team, ahead of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development. The conference will take place from 30 June to 3 July 2025 in Seville, where the focus will be on increasing the mobilisation of socially beneficial private investments by development finance institutions. The dialogue at MNU formed part of the global preparatory process for the conference and served as a platform to deliberate on financial challenges confronting the international community in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“For Maqsut Narikbayev University, participating in such a dialogue is not only an honour but also a reflection of our strategic mission: to serve as a place where the mindset of future leaders is shaped — leaders capable of addressing global challenges guided by the principles of sustainability and equity,” said Sergey Pen, Provost of MNU.

Experts noted that today, 40 percent of the world’s population lives in countries where debt interest payments surpass expenditures on education and healthcare. Dialogue participants explored potential strategies for strengthening financial stability and enhancing the effectiveness of development support mechanisms. UN representatives emphasised that the upcoming international conference in Seville is a key milestone in reforming the global financial system and addressing climate change, poverty, and inequality.

“According to the UN, the world is significantly behind in implementing the 2030 Agenda. Nearly half of the 140 evaluated goals are showing negative trends. It is projected that by 2030, approximately 600 million people will still live in extreme poverty. Meanwhile, the annual development financing gap in developing countries is estimated at $4 trillion. In this context, the conference gains particular significance as a platform for advancing reforms to the global financial architecture and mobilising resources,” stated Kurtmolla Abdulganiyev, Head of the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Kazakhstan.

It is worth noting that hosting this event at Maqsut Narikbayev University reflects the university’s commitment to strengthening the link between education, policymaking, and international initiatives. The university continues to foster academic cooperation with international partners, contributing to the development of a renewed agenda for sustainable development.

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The document is aimed at fostering partnerships between research and analytical centres in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The parties agreed to collaborate in areas such as political and economic research, regional security, history, culture, ecology, water resources, trade, and investment.

The memorandum was signed by Talgat Narikbayev, Chairman of the MNU Management Board, and Javlon Vakhabov, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia. The agreement provides for the organisation of joint academic events — forums, conferences, and round tables — as well as the exchange of information, publications, and access to scientific databases. Additionally, joint research projects and co-authored scientific publications are planned.

IICA is a government research institution that conducts studies on regional developments and international relations concerning Central Asia. Cooperation with Uzbekistan’s leading analytical centre represents a logical continuation of MNU’s commitment to strengthening international academic collaboration.

Previously, the university signed several memoranda with prominent foreign organisations and universities.

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The Academic Plan is more than just technological support — it is a strategic investment in education. It offers students and faculty unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard localisation tools. Thanks to this partnership, graduate students specialising in translation, applied linguistics, and intercultural communication will be able to work on real-world cases and deepen their understanding of how content is adapted for various markets and cultures.

For Maqsut Narikbayev University, this is a significant step toward integrating advanced digital solutions into the educational process. The Phrase Localisation platform will help make academic programmes more relevant and practice-oriented, while also expanding academic and career opportunities for students.

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