Australian experience - in the Abay region: Shakarim University and Murdoch University considered the possibilities of cooperation

Today, a delegation from one of the leading universities in Australia - Murdoch University - visited Shakarim University on a working visit. The delegation included Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs Simon John McKirdy, Vice-Chancellor of the Institute for Food Industry Development Peter Mostyn Davis, as well as Murdoch University Dubai Campus Executive Director and Director of Strategic Partnerships Mohamed Abdulkhalek Mohamed Ba

The foreign delegation was welcomed by the rector - chairman of the board of the Shakarim University Duman Orynbekov, member of the board - vice-rector for internationalization and innovation Erasyl Dulatbay, as well as scientists and teaching staff of the university.

It is important to note that today’s visit was a continuation of the meeting between the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek and representatives of Murdoch University, which took place the day before. During the meeting, prospects for the development of a strategic partnership between Shakarim University and Murdoch University were discussed, as well as the possibility of opening a branch of an Australian university in Semey. Following the negotiations, the parties signed a memorandum of understanding.

Work to develop international scientific and educational cooperation is carried out consistently. Thus, on February 2, 2026, a working meeting was held between representatives of the NJSC “Shakarim University” and Murdoch University. As a result, the parties agreed to prepare a memorandum of cooperation, providing for the development of academic mobility, the implementation of joint scientific research, as well as the development and implementation of joint and double-degree educational programs.

As part of further elaboration of the agreements reached, in April 2026, representatives of the two parties held a meeting with the management of JSC Center for International Programs. During the meeting, issues of undergoing scientific internships at Murdoch University by young scientists and researchers from Shakirim University within the framework of the international scholarship “Bolashak” were discussed.

Opening the meeting in the main building of the university, Rector Duman Orynbekov emphasized that the partnership with Murdoch University is an important step in strengthening the international relations of the University. At the same time, cooperation will not be limited solely to the exchange of experience in the field of education. The parties intend to systematically develop interaction in the field of scientific research, technology transfer, academic mobility and training of specialists in demand by the regional economy.

“Yesterday, with the participation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, a memorandum was signed on the opening of a branch of Murdoch University on the basis of Shkarim University. The partnership with Murdoch University is an important step that will take our university’s international relations to a new level. We intend to develop this cooperation not only in the field of education, but also in the field of scientific research, academic mobility and training of specialists in demand by the regional economy,” noted Duman Orynbekov.

In turn, Simon John McKirdy, Deputy Vice-Rector for Global Relations at Murdoch University, expressed satisfaction with the start of the partnership with Shkarim University and noted the significant potential for cooperation. According to him, Kazakhstan and Australia have a lot in common, especially in matters of agricultural development.

Murdoch University is ranked 422nd in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and is one of Australia's leading universities. The university's scientific and educational expertise in areas such as agriculture, veterinary medicine, food safety and food technology has received wide international recognition.

“I am the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs at Murdoch University in Western Australia. 25 years ago, our university established partnerships at the same high level with Singapore, and 17 years ago - with Japan. In addition, our cooperation with Dubai is developing successfully.

Partnership with Shakari University opens up great opportunities for both universities. We see particularly significant potential in the development of educational programs and research areas with an emphasis on agriculture and scientific research. I am confident that today’s memorandum of cooperation with Shakari University will allow us to achieve significant results in the future,” said Simon John McKirdy.

At the same time, it is worth noting the significant scientific achievements of Shakari University. In the international ranking THE Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026, the university was included in the group 801–1000 and was assessed on 15 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. In addition, Shakarim University is among the ten best universities in Kazakhstan.

The foreign delegation was informed in detail about the strategic priorities of the university, the main directions of its activities and development plans by Vice-Rector for Strategy and Social Development Askar Kasymov.

After the meeting in the main building, the delegation of Murdoch University visited a number of laboratories and scientific sites at Shәkarim University, where they got acquainted with the scientific, educational and industrial infrastructure of the university.

Director of the Shakarim Lab center Alexander Klivenko introduced the guests to the work of scientific laboratories, including areas of industrial waste processing technologies, electron microscopy and chemical research.

Foreign guests also visited the Engineering Center, the training and production site “Technology for the production of kurt and semi-finished meat products,” the Agrotechnopark, as well as the scientific and practical center “Valorization of agricultural products.” The presented developments and ongoing projects aroused great interest among members of the delegation.

In particular, young specialists from the laboratories “Plasma technologies for surface treatment of materials” and “Electrolyte-plasma technologies for materials science and surface modification of materials” of the Engineering Center spoke about their scientific developments and promising areas of research.

The training and production site “Technology for the production of kurt and semi-finished meat products” is equipped with modern equipment for studying the physical and chemical properties of food products. The Australian guests got acquainted with the technology of production of the traditional Kazakh product - kurt - and noted the possibilities of the site for practical training of students and undergraduates, as well as conducting applied research.

The next stage of the working visit of the Australian delegation was an acquaintance with the agricultural production of the Abay region.