On May 28, a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of cooperation in agricultural education, science and technology between NWAFU and universities and research institutes in Kazakhstan was held at Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University.

The ceremony opened with the national anthems of China and Kazakhstan. In his remarks, Han Chunlin commended the progress made by NWAFU and Kazakh universities and research institutes in agricultural science and education. He said China would continue to support agricultural cooperation between the two countries in education, science and technology. He encouraged agricultural universities in China and Kazakhstan to use the anniversary as an opportunity to further explore their potential, achieve new results, contribute to their respective countries’ development and bring greater benefits to both peoples. Sultan Aikhan said Kazakhstan attached great importance to agricultural cooperation with China. Over the past decade, the two sides had established a solid foundation in joint talent cultivation, collaborative research, and technology demonstration and extension. He looked forward to deeper cooperation in the coming decade to address global challenges, including food security. In his remarks, Bauyrzhan Asanov praised China’s expertise in agricultural science and education and its strong commitment to cooperation in these fields. He hoped the 10th anniversary would serve as a new starting point for expanding cooperation in smart agriculture, green development and youth exchanges, and for jointly writing the next chapter in China-Kazakhstan cooperation in agricultural education.

Kanat Tireuov, Seitbek Kuanyshbayev and Yerbol Issakayev each reviewed the history of cooperation with NWAFU and highlighted the achievements in joint talent development and collaborative research. They expressed hope that the 10th anniversary would provide an opportunity to deepen cooperation with NWAFU in developing talent cultivation systems and conducting joint research in crop science, strengthen collaboration, and jointly promote high-quality development in agricultural education and research across the region.

Zhang Hongming noted that over the past decade, the two sides had worked steadily to build high-level cooperation platforms and made substantial advances in grain and oil crops, animal husbandry science and technology, and saline-alkali land management. These efforts had also opened up broader pathways for jointly cultivating international talent with a sound understanding of China and goodwill toward the country. Looking ahead, he hoped that cooperation would focus on strengthening joint platforms, expanding talent cultivation and promoting university-industry collaboration, producing more exemplary models of cooperation in education, science and technology that could be replicated and promoted.

After the opening ceremony, participating experts delivered presentations under the theme “Agricultural Innovation and Sustainable Development in Central Asia.” The presentations covered a range of cutting-edge topics, including crop resistance breeding, soil ecological security, digital agricultural technologies, seed industry innovation, agricultural product processing, and China-Kazakhstan cooperation in agricultural education, science and technology. They showcased the latest research findings and practical cooperation between the two countries in agricultural science and technology innovation and green, sustainable development.

Since 2016, NWAFU has developed extensive and diverse cooperation in agricultural education, science and technology with Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University, Kazakh National Agrarian University, North Kazakhstan State University named after M. Kozybayev and other institutions. The partners have jointly established the China-Central Asia Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Agriculture in Arid Areas and three overseas agricultural science and technology demonstration parks, and have jointly trained more than 120 agricultural professionals with an international outlook. These efforts provide a successful practical model for advancing the vision of an agricultural innovation community under the Belt and Road Initiative.

A decade of cooperation has laid a solid foundation for steady progress into the future. The successful events not only showcased the achievements of China-Kazakhstan cooperation in agricultural education over the past 10 years, but also injected fresh impetus into deeper practical cooperation and agricultural modernization in the new era. Looking ahead, NWAFU will continue to deepen its engagement with Central Asia, empower agriculture through science and technology, and connect people through education, contributing to the building of a closer China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future.

Translated by: Tian Yiyun

Proofread by: Yan Xianhui