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Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) has embarked on a partnership with the prestigious universities in the Kingdom of Spain. These agreements were formalised during the MNU Management’s working visit to Madrid and Barcelona.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Spain’s oldest university, the University of Alcalá, established in 1499. This agreement outlines provisions for student and faculty exchanges, joint scientific research, and the development of dual-degree educational programmes. Currently, the University of Alcalá hosts over 30,000 students, offering a diverse array of programmes in social and natural sciences.
“The progress Maqsut Narikbayev University has made in its academic journey is truly remarkable—from outstanding academic standards and high-quality educational programmes to cutting-edge infrastructure and an exceptional team of researchers. We are honoured to launch cooperation across a wide range of academic and research initiatives,” stated Julio Cañero Serrano, Vice President for International Relations at the University of Alcalá.
Another significant milestone in strengthening academic ties between the two nations was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the MIND Analytics and Research Center (Maqsut Narikbayev Institute for Network and Development) and the Institute of Economics and International Relations at SEI-UAM of the Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid). The institute specialises in Eurasian studies, with a particular focus on the member states of the Organisation of Turkic States. Recognised as Spain’s top-ranked university by both the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the Autonomous University of Madrid plays a pivotal role in global academia.
“This marks a historic day for the Autonomous University of Madrid and our institute. We are entering our first partnership with a leading research center in Kazakhstan, opening new avenues of collaboration in Turkic world. We extend our gratitude to Maqsut Narikbayev University for this opportunity to jointly explore an extensive research agenda,” remarked Professor Jesús Gil from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
In addition, Maqsut Narikbayev University is expanding its academic portfolio with a new specialisation in sports management. The MNU Business School has signed a memorandum with the Johan Cruyff Institute, a globally renowned institution in sports and management education. Established in 1999 by football legend Johan Cruyff, the institute is a leader in training elite athletes and professionals in the sports industry. This partnership—the first of its kind in Kazakhstan—will introduce a dual-degree MBA in Sports Management programme and foster the joint development of specialised minors within MNU’s academic offerings.
“The signing of these memoranda not only opens new academic and research frontiers for us, but also reinforces MNU’s position as an international hub for educational and expert collaboration. We firmly believe that partnerships with Spain’s leading universities will elevate our students and faculty to a new level of global academic integration. We express our deep appreciation to the embassies of both nations for their support and commitment to strengthening academic ties,” stated Galymzhan Kudaibergenov, First Deputy Chairman of the Board at Maqsut Narikbayev University.
During the working visit, members of the MNU delegation also participated in expert discussions at CIDOB (Barcelona) and the Royal Elcano Institute (Madrid). Miras Zhienbayev, Head of the Foreign Policy and International Studies Programme at the MIND Analytics and Research Center, provided insights into Kazakhstan’s foreign policy. These discussions enabled Spanish analysts to gain a deeper understanding of Kazakhstan’s strategic role in international relations, its transit potential, and its broader geopolitical significance.
One of Maqsut Narikbayev University’s core strategic objectives is fostering internationalisation in education, research, and academic exchange. Currently, MNU collaborates with over 100 global partners, further strengthening its international academic footprint.