Heriot-Watt will open a branch on the basis of K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University (ARU) in 2023, QazMonitor reports citing the press service of the akimat of Aktobe region. On February 18, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek made the announcement at the meeting with the ARU academic council.
Minister reported that in 2022 three branches of foreign universities were opened in Kazakhstan, and six more will open in 2023.
As part of the dual diploma program, 300 students will be able to enroll in three majors in 2023: Geoengineering, Electric Power Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
A trilateral memorandum of cooperation between Kazakhstan's Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Heriot-Watt University, and ARU was signed in Britain in February.
"The opening of a branch at this level is a truly historic event. This is one of the largest projects covering several Kazakhstan regions. This initiative will strengthen the scientific and academic development of the region, introduce the best scientific practices and give our young people the opportunity to study at home in accordance with world standards," said the akim of Aktobe region Yeraly Tugzhanov, who also attended the meeting.
Heriot-Watt University is a public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the eighth-oldest higher education institute in the UK. The university has five campuses across the world: Edinburgh, Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dubai, and Malaysia, as well as 53 Approved Learning Partners (ALPs) and educational collaborative partners in 150 countries Heriot-Watt University has over 29,000 students studying at campuses and online through distance learning (year-end 2017).