Top-rated KU Leuven expresses interest in cooperation with Kazakh universities
March 15, 2022, Leuven – Ambassador of Kazakhstan Margulan Baimukhan met with the Vice-Rector of the oldest university in Belgium – Catholic University of Leuven KU Leuven, Chris Van Geet, and Director of International Relations, Bart Hendrickx.
The parties discussed the educational program of the Belgian University and training opportunities for Kazakh students. According to the KU Leuven management, about eighty Kazakhs have been trained in various programs at the university.
The parties discussed the prospects of academic exchange between Kazakh universities and KU Leuven. For his part, the Kazakh diplomat proposed the establishment of cooperation within the framework of the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation «Horizon Europe», as well as to consider the possibility of opening KU Leuven's branch in Kazakhstan following the example of other European universities. The Ambassador invited the KU Leuven management to visit Kazakhstan.
In 2021, the number of Kazakh students studying in Belgium reached 200 (in 2017, there were only 20 students). KU Leuven is among four Belgian universities recommended by the Bolashak Presidential Program as a prestigious institution for studying abroad.
The parties agreed to maintain contacts and exchange information on educational programs.
On the same day, M.Baimukhan also met with the Mayor of Leuven, Mohamed Ridouani to discuss bilateral and interregional cooperation, as well as the development of smart cities. During the conversation, the Belgian mayor noted the backbone role of the KU Leuven in the public and infrastructure development of the city.
The Kazakh diplomat invited the Mayor of Leuven to the upcoming events organized by the Embassy as part of the Nauryz celebrations. An agreement was reached to develop interregional cooperation, as well as to consider the possibility of establishing twinning relations with one of the Kazakh cities.
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The Belgian city of Leuven is considered one of the academic centers of Europe. Half of the 100,000 population are students; 170 nationalities live in Leuven. According to the Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings, the KU Leuven University is ranked 45th in the list of top 100 world universities. Since 2016, according to Reuters, KU Leuven has held the title of the most innovative university in Europe. More than 60 thousand students from 150 countries (20% of international students) study at the university.