Hof University has joined the Kazakh-German Institute for Sustainable Engineering (KINI) at the German-Kazakh University (DKU), located on the campus of Yessenov University in Aktau, Kazakhstan, as its third co-founder. The corresponding agreement was recently signed at the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Berlin. With this step, Hof University is further expanding its long-standing relationships with university partners in Kazakhstan while simultaneously strengthening German-Kazakh cooperation in the fields of education, science, and innovation.
The signing ceremony was attended by, among others, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University, Prof. Dr. Wolrad Rommel, President of the German-Kazakh University (DKU), Prof. Dr. Berik Achmetov, Rector of Yessenov University, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Germany, Nurlan Onzhanov. In addition, other representatives from the academic and educational sectors of both countries were present.
KINI as a Model of Success for German-Kazakh University Cooperation
KINI was founded in 2023 by the German-Kazakh University and Yessenov University in the presence of Federal President Steinmeier. The institute’s goal is to offer modern engineering degree programs based on the German model and to train highly qualified professionals for Kazakhstan’s economic and technological development. Currently, 148 young people are already studying at the institute. For the coming academic year, the admission of approximately 150 additional students is expected. A distinctive feature of the institute is its international educational concept: students can complete parts of their studies at the German-Kazakh University as well as at German partner universities, thereby gaining international experience and, in the future, earning dual degrees. KINI has since developed into an important platform for academic exchange, innovation, and international research collaboration.
Hof University of Applied Sciences contributes expertise in engineering and computer science
As part of the new partnership, Hof University of Applied Sciences will support the further expansion of STEM degree programs with a focus on engineering and computer science
The collaboration builds on existing successful partnerships. In recent years, the departments of engineering and computer science at Hof University of Applied Sciences have continuously expanded their ties with DKU and Yessenov University. Just recently, joint double-degree programs were agreed upon, enabling students to pursue an international course of study between Aktau, Almaty, and Hof. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences, emphasizes:
“By joining KINI, we are sending a clear signal regarding the further internationalization of Hof University of Applied Sciences and support the political cooperation between Germany and Kazakhstan. Together with our partners, we want to actively shape the education of future engineers and further deepen our collaboration in the fields of the hydrogen economy, sustainable technologies, and applied research. Pooling our expertise opens up excellent prospects for this.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen LehmannSustainable Technologies as a Shared Topic for the Future
The Mangystau region in western Kazakhstan is considered a key location for future-oriented topics such as the energy transition, the hydrogen economy, logistics, and sustainable industry. Accordingly, KINI also focuses on developing modern degree programs in these areas. Rector Prof. Dr. Berik Achmetov presented the progress made so far in expanding the institute as well as the modern study conditions at the Aktau campus in Berlin. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of KINI for training a new generation of engineers.
Ambassador Nurlan Onzhanov also underscored the special role of education, science, and innovation in German-Kazakh relations. The expansion of KINI’s partner network will make an important contribution to training in-demand professionals and to the development of joint research projects.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Hof University of Applied Sciences, sees great potential in the new partnership:
“Our university has been working closely with partner universities in Kazakhstan for several years now. Joining KINI opens up new opportunities to contribute our experience in practice-oriented engineering education and to jointly develop innovative degree programs for international professionals. It is particularly gratifying that students and faculty are already benefiting from this collaboration today.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller
Current Visits from Kazakhstan
The fact that the partnership is already being actively pursued is demonstrated by recent visits to Hof University by two faculty members from Kazakhstan. Last week, for example, Dimash Baimbetov was a guest in Hof and taught in courses led by Prof. Dr. Robert Honke and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Schlosser.
Arman Burkitbayev is currently visiting Hof University of Applied Sciences. He is participating in courses taught by Prof. Dr. Tobias Plessing and will also get to know the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology (IWE). And another visit is already on the horizon: In July, Yerlan Tursynbek will come to Hof University to clarify organizational issues regarding further cooperation between the partner institutions.
