Mr. Shigeo Katsu, former World Bank Vice President, President of Nazarbayev University, visited Peking University on the morning of October 21, 2015. This visit was made to promote understanding and communication, seek exchange opportunities, and strengthen collaboration between Peking University and Nazarbayev University.
Gao Song, Vice President of Peking University, welcomed Mr. Katsu and his delegation. Mr. Gao expressed his congratulations on the foundation and rapid development of Nazarbayev University. Mr. Katsu thanked him and said it was a great pleasure to visit Peking University. During the meeting, Mr. Katsu first elaborated on the initiation of establishing this very young and special university. He said that different from other colleges and universities in Kazakhstan, Nazarbayev University is “an autonomous research university” and was founded under the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan in 2010. With the mission “to be the top university and the leader of educational reform in Kazakhstan”, the instruction language in the institute is English. In the meantime, it established a one-year preparation program to cultivate the students’ ability of creative and critical thinking.
Mr. Katsu also acknowledged the tremendous contribution from the international schools’ partnerships. With the instruction and advice from these distinguished universities, Nazarbayev University is progressing steadily into a truly international and professional institute with its own identity.
Mr. Katsu then emphasized the great importance of strengthening international cooperation and communication. He was deeply impressed by the extraordinary performance of Peking University and expressed the sincere wish to develop a sound and comprehensive relationship with Peking University in every aspect. He mentioned that faculties and students in Nazarbayev University are extremely interested in Chinese culture, economy, and philosophy. He genuinely hoped through this visit to China, he could increase exchange opportunities, for both faculties and students, between Chinese universities and Nazarene University.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Gao presented a picture of Peking University as a gift, and voiced the good wishes to the promising future of Nazarbayev University.
Written by: Zhou Ying
Edited by: Liu Xiaoxuan
