On June 14, 2026, students, parents and education enthusiasts gathered at Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School in Central Jakarta for the Study in Kazakhstan Exhibition 2026, an event that showcased Kazakhstan’s growing attractiveness as a world education destination and highlighted the growing partnership between Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
More than simply an academic exhibition, the fair reflected a broader history of two nations in search of to strengthen ties through knowledge, innovation, trade and people-to-people exchange. Eleven leading Kazakh universities participated, offering Indonesian students information on English-language curricula, scholarships, inexpensive tuition fees and academic opportunities in fields starting from engineering and data technology to aviation, artificial intelligence, water management and energy studies.
The importance of the fair was emphasized by the presence of HE Serzhan Abdykarimov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Indonesia and ASEAN; Serik Kalkamanov, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan; and Dr. Mohamad Fadjroel Rachman, Indonesian Ambassador to Kazakhstan, who traveled from Astana to participate within the event.
Ambassador Abdykarimov emphasized that educational cooperation stays probably the most effective ways of deepening bilateral relations. He expressed hope that the university fair would encourage more Indonesian students to pursue higher education in Kazakhstan, while expanding academic exchanges in the other way. According to him, stronger educational ties will ultimately strengthen people-to-people ties and mutual understanding between the 2 countries.
Education as a strategic partnership
Participating institutions included Satbayev University, Astana IT University, Eurasian National University, ALT University, Dulaty University, Margulan University, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ualikhanov University, Atyrau University of Oil and Gas, Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation, and the Civil Aviation Academy.
Serik Kalkamanov explained that the major goal of the fair was to position Kazakhstan as an emerging international education center and attract more Indonesian students to check within the country. He noted that Indonesia’s growing economy and young population make it a worthwhile partner in educational cooperation. In addition to government scholarship opportunities, he stressed that tuition fees at many Kazakh universities remain inexpensive and competitive, and the federal government also assists international students throughout the visa application process.
Representatives of Shokan Ualikhanov Kokshetau University and ALT University further emphasized Kazakhstan’s strengths in higher education. Zhailagul Sagyndykova, vice-rector of Ualikhanov University, highlighted the university’s strong academic popularity, expanding international partnerships and opportunities for Indonesian students. Meanwhile, Aizada Sarina, director of international cooperation at ALT University, showcased the university’s expertise in logistics, engineering, artificial intelligence and the digital economy, in addition to smart dorms equipped with facial recognition-based access systems. She also presented guests with university keychains designed and 3D printed by students, reflecting the institution’s emphasis on innovation and hands-on learning. Both officials encouraged Indonesian students to explore study opportunities in Kazakhstan and join the growing educational partnership between the 2 countries.
Educational involvement didn’t end at the faculty fair. On June 15, 2026, representatives of Kazakh and Indonesian universities gathered at Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) in Tangerang as a part of the Inter-University Forum geared toward strengthening academic cooperation. The forum provided higher education institutions from each countries with a platform to explore future partnerships, research collaborations, faculty exchanges and student mobility programs. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to expanding educational links and developing long-term institutional relationships that may support the growing partnership between Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
For many Indonesians, Kazakhstan stays a comparatively unknown study destination in comparison with Europe, North America, Australia and East Asia. However, the country has made significant investments in modernizing its higher education system and research infrastructure, positioning itself as certainly one of the leading science and innovation centers in Central Asia.
A partnership built over three many years
The growing educational relationship reflects a broader diplomatic partnership that has steadily evolved over the past three many years. Indonesia and Kazakhstan established diplomatic relations on June 2, 1993, shortly after Kazakhstan gained independence.
Institutional ties strengthened with the opening of the Indonesian embassy in Astana in 2010 and the Kazakh embassy in Jakarta in 2012.
Today, each countries see themselves as strategic partners connecting Southeast Asia and Central Asia. As modern, Muslim-majority nations that value diversity, moderation and international cooperation, Indonesia and Kazakhstan share many common values despite being hundreds of kilometers apart.
Development of trade and communications
Relations gained latest momentum in May 2026 when Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, led a high-level delegation to Astana as a part of a broader Eurasian economic mission.
A key achievement of the visit was the resumption of the work of the Indonesia-Kazakhstan Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, which had been inactive since 2013. Co-chaired by Minister Hartarto and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan Serik Zhumangarin, the meeting confirmed the commitment of each countries to strengthen trade, investment, logistics and innovation cooperation.
Discussions began after the signing of a free trade agreement between Indonesia and the Eurasian Economic Union (Indonesia-EAEU FTA) at the tip of 2025. Within this framework, Indonesia views Kazakhstan as a strategic gateway to the broader Eurasian market price roughly $2.56 trillion.
During meetings with Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the 2 countries explored opportunities to extend bilateral trade to the extent of $244.7 million recorded in 2025. Kazakhstan offered Indonesia access to key transport corridors connecting Central Asia with Europe, helping to beat logistical challenges related to the country’s landlocked location. Discussions also focused on increasing Indonesian exports, strengthening Islamic financial cooperation and exploring opportunities in renewable energy, geothermal development and mineral processing.
Innovation and the subsequent generation
One of essentially the most promising areas of cooperation is technology and digital transformation. Kazakhstan has declared 2026 because the “Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence”, a priority closely linked to Indonesia’s rapidly growing digital economy.
During their visit to Astana, Indonesian officials partnered with the Alem.ai innovation center in Kazakhstan to explore cooperation in artificial intelligence, e-government, digital infrastructure and technology-enabled public services. These priorities were also reflected at university fairs, where many institutions highlighted programs in artificial intelligence, information technology, engineering, aerospace and scientific research.
Dr. Mohamad Fadjroel Rachman encouraged Indonesian students to look beyond conventional academic disciplines and consider specialized fields by which Kazakhstan has developed particular strengths. He cited fields similar to Central Asian studies, astronautics, glaciology and advanced engineering as examples of disciplines where Indonesian students can gain unique expertise and return home as pioneers in emerging sectors.
Looking towards a brand new chapter
For students attending college fairs, these events represent greater than just diplomatic milestones. They mean scholarships, research opportunities, international experiences and future careers. As Indonesia and Kazakhstan enter the fourth decade of diplomatic relations, education is becoming certainly one of the strongest foundations for future cooperation.
The university fair showed that lasting partnerships are built not only on government contracts and trade statistics, but in addition on classrooms, laboratories, research collaborations and the aspirations of young people. From Jakarta to Astana, a brand new generation helps to shape the longer term of Indonesia-Kazakhstan relations – one student, one idea and one opportunity at a time.
