Association of Silk Road Countries Universities and Consulting Companies

Atyrau University has been a member of the Silk Road University Alliance since 2016, consistently advancing international academic cooperation and strengthening its integration into the global higher education landscape. The Alliance brings together universities from the People’s Republic of China, CIS countries, as well as South Korea, Malaysia, and India, providing a sustainable platform for interregional academic and research collaboration.

The University’s engagement within the Alliance directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

SDG 4 – Quality Education
Since 2019, with the support of the Alliance, Chinese language courses have been introduced for students. This initiative enhances academic mobility, fosters intercultural competencies, and prepares students for participation in joint and double-degree programs.

SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals
In 2020, several online meetings were held with partner universities to discuss the development and implementation of joint academic programs. Discussions focused on harmonizing curricula, aligning academic requirements, and establishing mechanisms for mutual recognition of learning outcomes.

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
Currently, negotiations are underway to engage professors from the People’s Republic of China in joint research and academic projects. Institutional partnerships are being developed with Yili Normal University and China University of Petroleum. Additionally, academic internships for master’s students are planned at Guilin University of Electronic Technology, which will strengthen practice-oriented training and expand international research collaboration.

Strategic Benefits for the University

Participation in the Silk Road University Alliance provides the University with:

enhanced international competitiveness;

increased research productivity through joint projects;

expanded academic mobility for students and faculty;

strengthened human capital through the involvement of international scholars;

reinforced institutional reputation as an active contributor to the global sustainable development agenda.

Thus, membership in the Alliance serves not only as a mechanism of internationalization but also as a strategic instrument for institutional development aligned with the SDGs.