Kazakhstan and France launch Lumières Foundation to deepen academic ties
A new foundation aimed at boosting educational ties between Kazakhstan and France was launched on May 5. The Lumières Foundation, unveiled at Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) in Astana, seeks to deepen cooperation in higher education, science, and workforce training. Senior officials from both nations attended the event, marking its significance in bilateral relations. The foundation’s launch was backed by the French Embassy in Kazakhstan. Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Talgat Yeshenkulov joined the ceremony, alongside French Ambassador Sylvain Guiaugué. The ambassador called the initiative a vital move in educational diplomacy between the two countries.
Talgat Narikbayev, Chairman of Maqsut Narikbayev University, highlighted education as a cornerstone of Astana-Paris relations. He stressed that the foundation would serve as a long-term platform for youth opportunities and institutional partnerships. Agnès Bousset, deputy director of Lumières, explained that the project addresses a gap in high-quality Franco-Kazakh initiatives. The foundation will consolidate existing academic programmes under one system while attracting new public and private funding. Its priorities include undergraduate scholarships, fresh academic courses, and closer links between universities, research, and employers. Beyond scholarships, Lumières will co-finance educational projects and adapt academic infrastructure to meet Kazakhstan’s economic and workforce demands. The goal is to create a flexible, unified framework for fostering collaboration in education and science.
The foundation’s launch signals a structured push to strengthen ties between Kazakh and French institutions. By centralising resources and funding, it aims to expand opportunities for students, researchers, and employers. Future efforts will focus on scholarships, programme development, and aligning education with labour market needs.
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