By: Bazli Razak
TANJONG MALIM, 24 September 2025– Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amanzholov University, Kazakhstan to strengthen international cooperation in academic, research, and student mobility initiatives.
UPSI Vice-Chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff said the MoU represents a shared aspiration to expand knowledge exchange, enhance dual-degree programmes, broaden student mobility, and strengthen strategic research collaborations between the two institutions.
“This collaboration offers vast opportunities in the fields of Education, Science, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Social Sciences.
“Through these initiatives, we aim to produce high-impact publications and strengthen international grant applications,” he said at the signing ceremony held at the Seminar Room, Faculty of Science and Mathematics, Sultan Azlan Shah Campus, UPSI.
“With this MoU, we now have a stronger framework to drive strategic programmes such as student mobility, dual-degree programmes, academic exchanges, seminars, workshops, academic forums, and joint research,” he added.
Meanwhile, Amanzholov University Rector, Professor Mukhtar Tolegen, described the signing of the MoU as a significant step in expanding the university’s international cooperation, particularly in education and research.
“We believe this collaboration with UPSI will create new opportunities for students and academics of both institutions.
“It will not only contribute to knowledge development but also strengthen cross-cultural understanding between the people of Malaysia and Kazakhstan,” he said.
He added that Amanzholov University greatly values the relationship established since 2024 and views the MoU as a reinforcement of existing efforts to build a sustainable global academic network.
“We are confident that this partnership will produce competitive dual-degree programmes, impactful joint research, and broader student mobility. This effort aligns with our aspiration to nurture globally minded graduates,” he said.
The event also featured the exchange of MoU documents between both parties as a symbolic start of the official collaboration.
Present at the ceremony were Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, H.E Bulat Sugurbayev; Amanzholov University Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and International Affairs, Associate Professor Rovnyakova Irina; UPSI Director of Academic and International Affairs, Associate Professor Dr Ridzwan Che Rus; and Dean of the Faculty of Science and Mathematics, UPSI, Professor Dr Mohd Faizal Nizam Lee Abdullah.