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Science unites nations and opens new opportunities
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The State Visit of His Majesty King Philippe and Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of Belgium to Kazakhstan, together with the Kazakhstan-Belgium Rectors’ Forum held as part of the visit, is giving fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation in science and higher education. This important occasion provides new opportunities to strengthen academic ties, consolidate research potential, and advance joint scientific initiatives.
One example of this growing partnership is the longstanding cooperation between M. Auezov South Kazakhstan Research University and Ghent University in Belgium. A significant contribution to strengthening scientific ties between the two institutions has been made by Nazерke Amangeldi, a graduate of Auezov University, whose academic journey demonstrates the successful integration of Kazakhstan’s scientific and educational potential into the international research community.
In 2019, Nazerke graduated from M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agrochemistry. In 2022, she obtained a Master’s degree in Soil Biogeochemistry and Global Change through the international IMSOGLO programme, jointly implemented by Ghent University, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, and the University of Göttingen.
She is currently pursuing her PhD at Ghent University. As part of the international NUTRIBUDGET project, her research focuses on the application of bio-based fertilisers, the advancement of precision agriculture, and the use of modern proximal soil sensing technologies.
Her scientific achievements have become an important link between researchers in Kazakhstan and Belgium, creating further opportunities for joint research, knowledge exchange, and the development of international scientific partnerships.
A new and promising area of cooperation is the joint development of the RESILIENT-AGRO research project under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.
On behalf of Ghent University, the scientific collaboration is led by Professor Abdul Mouazen, Head of the Precision Soil and Crop Engineering (PreSco) Research Group within the Department of Environment.
The project addresses key challenges in developing climate-resilient agriculture, with a particular focus on preserving soil fertility, ensuring the efficient use of water resources, enhancing agricultural resilience to drought and salinity, and exploring the cultivation potential of amaranth and sesame under challenging environmental conditions.
Special attention will be given to the integration of digital technologies into agricultural production and the comprehensive processing of agricultural raw materials, including the development of functional food ingredients and biodegradable packaging materials.
Such scientific initiatives are of particular importance for strengthening food security, promoting environmentally sustainable technologies, and enhancing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
The partnership between M. Auezov South Kazakhstan Research University and its Belgian academic counterparts clearly demonstrates how academic mobility, international education, and the scientific achievements of university graduates can lay a solid foundation for long-term institutional cooperation.
The continued development of these ties contributes to strengthening the international standing of Kazakhstan’s scientific community and bringing together researchers from both countries to address the global challenges of our time.
Science, built on mutual trust, openness, and a shared commitment to progress, serves as a lasting bridge between nations and contributes to a more sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
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