TAM Report / Kazakhstan- University-Industry partnership

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: University–Industry Partnership in the Context of Sustainable Development

Type of Event: Seminar

Modality: Hybrid

Location: D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan

Country: Kazakhstan

Dates: 10–11 November 2025

Participants: A total of 98 participants attended the seminar over the two days, including vice-rectors, deans, departmental chairs, faculty members, researchers, industry representatives, experts, and policy makers from Kazakhstan and other countries in the region.

THEMES COVERED

• University–industry partnerships for sustainable development
• Entrepreneurial ecosystems and ecosystem thinking in higher education
• Integration of sustainability and SDGs into education and innovation
• Knowledge transfer, technology commercialization, and trust-based collaboration
• Curriculum adaptation for green economy and future workforce skills
• Role of universities as innovation hubs for industry transformation

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Developed a deeper understanding of how university–industry partnerships can contribute to sustainable development and the achievement of the SDGs.
• Examined European best practices in entrepreneurial ecosystems, knowledge transfer, and sustainable innovation.
• Explored approaches for integrating sustainability and industry engagement into higher education curricula and workforce development.
• Strengthened dialogue and networking among universities, industry representatives, and policy stakeholders to support long-term collaboration.

OVERVIEW

The two-day hybrid seminar focused on strengthening collaboration between universities and industry in the context of sustainable development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The first day concentrated on the role of universities in transforming industry through sustainability and innovation, featuring keynote speeches, expert-led sessions, and a panel discussion. European experiences and case studies were presented, illustrating how entrepreneurial ecosystems and university–industry partnerships can support sustainable technological and economic development.

On the second day, discussions shifted toward education and workforce development for a sustainable future. Through interactive sessions and group work, participants examined how curricula can be adapted to integrate sustainability, green technologies, and innovation-driven skills. Case studies from sectors such as green energy, zero-emission technologies, and sustainable agriculture were discussed, and the seminar concluded with a Q&A session and the joint development of recommendations by participants and experts.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: Round Table on Partnerships between HEIs and Industry of Kazakhstan

Dates: 11 November 2025

Audience: Representatives of higher education institutions, along with industry stakeholders and representatives from relevant ministries and government agencies in Kazakhstan.

Description: The follow-up activity was conducted as an online round table bringing together HEIs, industry representatives, HEREs from Kazakhstan, and EU experts. Through interactive group work in breakout sessions, participants discussed challenges faced by universities in partnering with industry and explored possible solutions based on European experiences. The discussions resulted in a consolidated set of recommendations for universities, industry, and government bodies, aimed at strengthening collaboration frameworks, aligning education with labour-market needs, and supporting sustainable innovation and commercialization.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Promote ecosystem thinking by positioning universities as integrators and builders of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems.
• Strengthen trust-based knowledge transfer mechanisms through transparent intellectual property policies and incentive structures.
• Integrate sustainability, social responsibility, and SDGs systematically into university curricula and research agendas.
• Develop structured platforms for continuous collaboration among universities, industry, and government following the “triple helix” model.
• Encourage practical, project-based learning formats and industry-linked educational initiatives focused on sustainable development.
• Support national and regional mechanisms that facilitate technology transfer, commercialization, and research-industry cooperation.
• Establish regular dialogue and coordination mechanisms to monitor progress and share best practices in university–industry partnerships.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• Guerrero, M. and Siegel, D. (2025) ‘Prosocial technology transfer and academic entrepreneurship: Lessons learned and new directions’, Academy of Management Perspectives, 39(3). doi: 10.5465/amp.2024.0079.
• United Nations (n.d.) Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights