Two visits occurred on Friday, 12th October.

The delegation of East Kazakhstan Region comprised 30 persons and was headed by Akim (Governor) Daniyal Akhmetov.

At the University, he was welcomed by a host of Kazakhstani students (of whom there are currently 650 here) and Vice-Rector for Research Danis Nurgaliev. Mr. Akhmetov addressed the students, “You have this opportunity to study in a wonderful country, one that is close to us in spirit, culture, and history. We are sure that a great future awaits you. We are waiting for such qualified specialists in Kazakhstan.”

As Vice-Rector Nurgaliev noted, a separate meeting was held with East Kazakhstan State Technical University and East Kazakhstan State University. Double diploma master programs are planned with them in IT, engineering, VR, AR, and additive technology. Moreover, internships for Russian students of geology and archaeology in East Kazakhstan may also be arranged.

Later in the day, Governor Akhmetov partook in an unveiling ceremony for Taykazan, a cauldron sculpture similar to the historical one placed in Kazakhstan. The cauldron, of course, is a well-known symbol of Kazan, whose name is translated as exactly that from the Tatar language.

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The Mongolian delegation included Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of Mongolia Gochoosuren Baigalmaa, Ambassador of Mongolia to Russia Banzragch Delgermaa, and Adviser to the President of Mongolia Zhazag Amarsanaa. They were greeted by Vice-Rector for Innovation Dmitry Pashin.

Director of the KFU International Office Andrey Krylov held a presentation of the University. Ambassador Delgermaa replied, “When I watched films about Lenin in my childhood, I dreamed of seeing the university where he studied. We are proud that Mongolian students attend this great university. I am sure that our universities can establish a working relationship in Oriental studies. We [Russia and Mongolia] know little about each other, although we are very close neighbors. It would be excellent to see more active student exchange.”

As of now, there are two Mongolian nationals enrolled in KFU, both in bachelor programs. KFU and Tatarstan Academy of Sciences plan to jointly hold archaeological research in Ordu Baliq, the capital of the erstwhile Uygur Khaganate, now on the territory of Mongolia.