The purpose of the visit was to discuss prospects for further cooperation with the University, as well as to meet with French language instructors and students enrolled in the “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages” academic program.
Elmira Nauryzbayeva, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, greeted the Counselor and spoke about the history of partnership relations between the University and France.
Cooperation between Kazakhstan and France in collaboration with the University dates back to 2004. With the active support of the Embassy, a French Center was established at the University, and a cooperation agreement was signed with University of Perpignan Via Domitia. The agreement remains in force to this day.
Over the years, approximately 40 students of the University have completed studies in France through academic mobility programs, while French language instructors regularly undertake professional training internships abroad.
As noted by Elmira Kenzhegalievna, the level of student preparation and the development of French language studies at the University have repeatedly received high praise from the French Embassy.
Faculty members Aisha Ospanova and Gulnar Zhanburshinova were awarded the prestigious Ordre des Palmes Académiques in recognition of their contribution to French language education.
Currently, 297 students at the University study French as a second foreign language.
It was also revealed that Sébastien de Courtois had been familiar with Kostanay even prior to his arrival in Kazakhstan, where he has held his current position since September 1, 2025.
According to him, he had previously heard about Baitursynuly University and noted the high level of training of specialists with proficiency in French.
During the meeting, the French side proposed giving new momentum to bilateral cooperation, including:
Representatives of the Embassy also met with students of the “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages” program at the Department of Foreign Languages of the Pedagogical Institute and visited the University’s French Center.
Following the meeting, the University accepted the proposals of the French side and expressed its readiness to further expand and strengthen cooperation.
