CityUHK Council Chairman leads delegation to Central Asia, signing MoU with Kazakhstan to nurture talent

Him Chak

02 Jun 2026

CityUHK delegation visits Kazakhstan and signs an MoU with the JSC ‘Center for International Programs’ under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Pictured (from left) are Professor Li, Mr Rakhmet, Professor Ngai, and Mr Yerkinbayev at a luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Professor the Honourable Michael Ngai, Council Chairman of City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), led a high-level university delegation to commence a visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan on 1 June, deepening the foundation for cooperation between CityUHK and Central Asian countries in the fields of academics, scientific research, and innovative technology.

Mr John Lee (5th from right), Chief Executive of the HKSAR, witnesses CityUHK and other institutions and organisation signing MoUs with multiple partners in Kazakhstan. Professor Ngai (4th from right); Mr Rakhmet (2nd from left); and Professor Meiram Begentayev, President of Kazakhstan National University of Technology (5th from left) attend and take the stage, symbolising the joint efforts between CityUHK and its partners to elevate higher education collaboration between Hong Kong and Kazakhstan to new heights.

The visit actively aligns with the itinerary of the delegation led by Mr John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), to expand strategic collaboration in higher education and scientific research between Hong Kong and Central Asian countries, and to collectively advance development among countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.

The CityUHK delegation included Professor Li Wen Jung, Vice-President (Talent and International Strategy); Mr Ronald Chu, General Counsel and Secretary to Council; and Professor Shirley Chong, Chief Communications and Global Affairs Officer.

CityUHK delegation signs an MoU with the JSC ‘Center for International Programs’ under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan to launch the ‘Bolashak International Scholarship’ and ‘Scientific Internship’ programmes.

On the first day of the visit, the CityUHK delegation officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the JSC ‘Center for International Programs’ (CIP) under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, marking the official establishment of a strategic partnership between the two parties. The two sides will join hands to promote deep cooperation in the fields of education and science, focusing particularly on cutting-edge research areas such as renewable energy systems, environmental engineering, and nuclear energy, to nurture more outstanding scientific research professionals for both region and beyond.

CityUHK proudly stands as the only university in Hong Kong to sign the MoU with the CIP during the Central Asia tour. This milestone not only reinforces CityUHK’s strategic collaboration with Kazakhstan but also exemplifies its vision as the world’s Most International University. By opening new gateways for talent to pursue world class learning and research opportunities, CityUHK is advancing its mission to support the HKSAR Government’s initiative of position HKSAR as a leading international hub of higher education.

According to the MoU, this collaboration will centre around Kazakhstan’s national-level ‘Bolashak International Scholarship’ and ‘Scientific Internship’ programmes. CityUHK will provide high-quality master's and doctoral degree programmes, as well as professional internships for selected outstanding Kazakh scholars and professionals.

As Kazakhstan’s most renowned and representative study-abroad initiative, the ‘Bolashak International Scholarship’ has successfully sponsored over 13,000 elite graduates to pursue advanced studies overseas throughout its history of more than 30 years. Upon returning home, these exceptional scholars have become widely active across various sectors, playing a pivotal role as core pillars in driving the political, economic, and social modernisation of Kazakhstan.

The MoU was signed by Professor Li on behalf of CityUHK and Mr Abay Rakhmet, Acting Chairman of the Board, on behalf of the CIP, and witnessed by Professor Ngai and Mr Kaisar Yerkinbayev, Deputy Chairman of the Board of CIP. Professor Ngai stated that CityUHK has been proactively establishing collaborative networks with top institutions along the Belt and Road Initiative. He added that the University eagerly looks forward to welcoming elite scholars from Kazakhstan, hoping to contribute to global sustainable development through joint research and academic training.

CityUHK remains committed to fostering academic and scientific collaboration through strategic partnerships with leading universities and organisations worldwide. For more information about CityUHK’s global alliances, please visit the thematic website.

The CityUHK delegation is led by Professor Ngai (3rd from left), and comprises Professor Li (4th from left), Mr Chu (2nd from left), and Professor Chong (1st from left).