HSE University and National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan Agree on Cooperation
In early February, HSE University's campus on Pokrovsky Bulvar hosted a meeting between HSE Vice Rector Victoria Panova and Abay Serikkanov, Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The parties explored potential areas of cooperation and concluded the meeting by signing a memorandum of intent.
During their meeting in Moscow, representatives of HSE University responsible for international cooperation engaged in discussions with the Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NAS RK) regarding potential opportunities for collaboration across various fields. NAS RK operates as a non-commercial joint-stock company under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Established in 1946, the academy plays a key role in identifying priority areas for the advancement of science in Kazakhstan. It compiles an annual National Science Report for the head of state and considers international cooperation to be one of its primary activities. In 2022, the academy was given the status of a government agency, and in 2023, it was renamed ‘The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.' Today, the academy has partnerships with 12 national academies of sciences and 8 other organisations internationally.
Vice Rector Panova introduced HSE as a multidisciplinary international research university that welcomes collaboration with partners from various countries. She emphasised that HSE University was among the first group of universities to win a grant in the 'Leadership in Research' track of the Priority 2030 programme, a strategic academic leadership contest established by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. In 2021, HSE University was also awarded a grant to create its AI Research Centre following a competition held as part of the federal 'Artificial Intelligence' project aimed at stimulating the development and implementation of AI technologies in Russia. The AI Research Centre currently implements 25 projects involving eight faculties at the HSE campus in Moscow and researchers at other campuses.
'It is significant that our meeting is taking place on the eve of the Day of Russian Science and the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Kazakhstan is our friend, neighbour, and strategic partner. We are open to discussing various formats of scientific and educational cooperation, as well as joint projects of social significance and new partnerships,' Victoria Panova said.
During the meeting, Abay Serikkanov elaborated on measures implemented in Kazakhstan to support scientists, such as housing policies, foreign internship programmes, and other financial mechanisms. The Vice President of NAS RK also said that earlier that day, he had met with the staff of the HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK). Since 2002, ISSEK has been conducting research in various spheres, including the statistics of science, technology, innovation, education, digital economy and information society, long-term forecasting (foresight), and policies in the areas of science, technology, and innovation, while also engaging in international scientific cooperation. 'Foresight is recognised in the current legislation of Kazakhstan as a priority vector for the development of science, technology, and society, and it is integrated into the activities of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Our collaboration will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, resources, and expertise, enabling joint research and ensuring its quality, and will have a broader positive impact on science policy,' according to Abay Serikkanov.
Victoria Panova supported NAS RK's initiative to collaborate in the field of scientific and technological foresight. She also identified other areas of science and education which are strong at HSE University and align well with the academy's interests, including research in demography and human capital, labour and urban studies, physics and mathematics, and computer science. 'The cooperation between our two organisations can expand beyond academic, research, and scientific exchanges, encompassing other areas of mutual interest. I am confident that today's signing of the memorandum of intent will mark the beginning of a fruitful collaboration,' Panova emphasised.
During the meeting between HSE University and NAS RK, the parties not only identified relevant areas for further cooperation, but also agreed to explore the potential for collaboration in doctoral and post-doctoral studies.
The Vice Rector invited Abay Serikkanov and other colleagues from Kazakhstan to attend upcoming flagship events hosted by HSE University—the 25th Yasin (April) International Academic Conference on Economic and Social Development in April and International Partners' Week in June.
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