The first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the branch of the Russian Chemical-Technological University (RCTU) named after D.I. Mendeleyev was held in Taraz. The event took place on the premises of the branch itself and became an important step in the development of the educational center. The Council was established to increase the efficiency of the university’s activities, strengthen strategic partnerships with regional enterprises, and improve the training of engineering and technical specialists.
The establishment of the branch is part of an initiative to attract leading foreign universities to Kazakhstan. It should be recalled that in 2024, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev instructed the Government to open branches of international universities in the country. One of the first to begin operation was the RCTU branch based at Taraz Regional University.
A significant support in its creation was provided by Kazphosphate LLP, which acted as the project’s investor: the company supplied the material and technical base and equipped modern laboratories that meet international standards of engineering and chemical education. Kazphosphate also provided substantial funding for the RCTU branch in Taraz and offers employment opportunities for its graduates.
The representatives of government bodies, leaders of major industrial enterprises, and regional higher education institutions took part in the meeting of the Board of Trustees. Among them were: General Director of Kazphosphate LLP, Yevgeny Pak, General Director of EuroChem-Karatau LLP, Igor Georgiadi, Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mukash Iskandirov, Deputy General Director of Uralchem JSC, Inessa Kogen, Rector of the RCTU named after D.I. Mendeleyev, Sergey Filatov, Rector of Taraz Regional University, Mukhtar Baizhumanov, and Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Industrial-Innovative Development of the Zhambyl Region, Aspandiyar Seisenbayev.
The event was also attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, who emphasized the importance of launching the work of the Board of Trustees and extended his congratulations.
At the first meeting, the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the branch was elected — Mukash Iskandirov. The Deputy Chairs elected were Kairat Bolatov and Sergey Filatov.
The Council approved the regulations and outlined the key areas of its work for the development of the branch: modernization of the material and technical base, introduction of digital and modern educational technologies, participation in the development of new training programs, expansion of cooperation with industrial and scientific organizations, development of partnerships with foreign universities and the invitation of international experts, as well as support for students’ social well-being and employment.
In addition, the results of the university’s first year of operation were summarized, including the launch of Mendeleyev Classes in 58 schools in Taraz, with 70% of the branch’s students being their graduates. The Council also approved the university’s development plan, which includes establishing at least 20 industrial partnerships, developing 7 new educational programs, opening accelerated programs for college graduates, launching at least 5 new laboratories, involving at least 1,000 school and college students in the branch’s projects, expanding international programs leading to two or more degrees, as well as projects in the fields of language and culture. Parameters for the admissions campaign were also defined, including the allocation of 50 grants for 2026–2027.
The next meeting of the Board of Trustees of the RCTU branch in Taraz is scheduled for March 2026.
The Russian Chemical-Technological University (RCTU) named after D.I. Mendeleyev is one of Russia’s leading technical universities, founded in 1920 in Moscow. The regional branch of RCTU in Taraz was opened in 2024 with the support of Kazphosphate LLP. The branch trains specialists for the region’s chemical industry, developing practice-oriented education and cooperation with major enterprises in the sector. It offers a Double Degree program in Chemical Technology of Inorganic Substances, as well as a network-based learning model combining academic studies with hands-on training at Kazphosphate LLP’s production facilities.