ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Kazakhstan have signed eight memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in higher education and research ahead of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s first state visit to Pakistan today, Tuesday, as both countries seek to deepen cooperation across economic, academic and regional connectivity fronts.
The developments come as Tokayev arrives in Islamabad on Tuesday for a two-day visit, accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior cabinet ministers and officials. The visit is part of efforts by both sides to translate political engagement into concrete economic, academic and institutional cooperation.
On Monday, eight agreements were signed during a meeting in Islamabad between a 25-member Kazakh delegation led by the minister of science and higher education and representatives of Pakistani universities, according to Radio Pakistan. The MoUs cover joint research collaboration, faculty and student exchanges, academic programs and capacity-building initiatives.
“The visit [by Tokayev] will provide the two sides an important and timely opportunity to undertake a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, discuss new avenues for broadening cooperation,” Radio Pakistan reported, “particularly in trade, logistics, regional connectivity, people-to-people contacts, and explore collaboration at regional and international forums.”
On the education front, Radio Pakistan said the newly signed MoUs aim to strengthen institutional linkages between Pakistani and Kazakh universities, with a focus on science and technology, medical education, research, innovation and academic exchange.
“The MoUs were signed to promote joint research collaboration, faculty and student exchanges, collaborative academic programs, and capacity-building initiatives,” Radio Pakistan reported.
The agreements will be facilitated by Pakistan’s Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and coordinated by the Higher Education Commission to ensure implementation and sustainability, the broadcaster added.
The education agreements are seen as part of a broader push to expand Pakistan-Kazakhstan ties beyond diplomacy, as Islamabad seeks stronger engagement with Central Asian states for trade diversification and regional connectivity, while Kazakhstan looks to deepen partnerships in South Asia amid shifting regional economic dynamics.
