Kazakhstan raising research spending to 1% of GDP – TokayevKazakhstan is raising spending on scientific research to 1% of GDP and intends to create incentives for business investment in university research, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.At a meeting with rectors of leading German universities and heads of German research institutes, Tokayev outlined three main areas for further cooperation in education, science and technology, which he said should ensure a shift from exchanging knowledge to creating it jointly.The first area is expanding joint educational and dual-degree programs."First, we should expand joint educational programs and dual-degree programs between our partner institutions. It is important to open new opportunities for students and researchers to work together in both countries. To that end, I propose launching a special educational exchange program that will help strengthen academic ties between our countries," Tokayev said.The second area is joint scientific research."Kazakhstan is seeking integration into the European Research Area and has begun talks on joining Horizon Europe as an associated member. We are already a full participant in the European Raw Materials Partnership, whose total budget exceeds 300 million euros. The TiBeRIUM project is a practical example of this cooperation. Launched this year with 7.5 million euros from Horizon Europe and coordinated by the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, it brings together the East Kazakhstan Technical University and the Ulba Metallurgical Plant to develop low-carbon production chains for titanium and beryllium. We should expand exactly this kind of cooperation, which unites universities, science and industry, strengthens supply chains and ensures a shift from raw materials to higher-value-added products and technologies," he said.The third area is technology transfer. Tokayev said Kazakhstan is raising research spending to 1% of GDP while creating incentives for companies to invest in university research.The president invited German businesses to open engineering laboratories and technology transfer centers at joint institutions and expressed Kazakhstan's readiness to support such initiatives through co-financing. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX