Expanding Strategic Partnerships with Kazakhstan Universities

The School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) hosted an academic meeting with delegations from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakh-British Technical University, Satbayev University, Kazakhstan on 23 December 2025, marking both the initiation of a new strategic collaboration and the continuation of an established international partnership.

Research-sharing sessions enabled the alignment of expertise in advanced functional materials and applied physics, with a shared emphasis on sustainable, waste-to-resource research direction. These include the conversion of rice husk and seaweed waste into high-value materials, such as highly porous silica used as an absorbent and graphene-like carbon, for applications in energy and smart material technologies.

In parallel, the meeting reinforced USM’s long-standing collaboration with Satbayev University under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has produced joint publications, industry-linked research projects in Firma Balausa, Kazakhstan, and significant progress in vanadium oxide–based smart window technologies and dopant-engineered bioglass materials. The engagement served as a follow-up to review progress and strengthen collaborative momentum.

Overall, the visit strengthened USM’s partnership with Satbayev University and Kazakh-British Technical University while opening new international pathways with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, positioning the collaboration for high-impact research, sustainable innovation, and long-term academic excellence.

Group photo of academic staff from the School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with delegates from Satbayev University, Kazakh-British Technical University and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, during the academic meeting held on 23 December 2025 at USM.

Prepared by Dr. Nur Nabihah Yusof
Verified and approved by Dr. Ahmad Fairuz Omar