Astana:Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir has arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan, for a three-day working visit focused on strengthening Malaysia's higher education partnerships with Central Asian countries.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zambry is set to participate in the Malaysia-Central Asia Ministerial Higher Education Meeting and engage with higher education ministers from the region. These meetings signify an initial step towards forming structured cooperation between Malaysian and Central Asian higher education institutions.

Zambry emphasized the importance of this collaboration, highlighting Central Asia's rich scholarly tradition and potential for joint exploration with Malaysia. He described the meeting as a foundational effort to connect the capabilities of Malaysian universities, researchers, and the younger generation with Central Asia.

Additionally, the Malaysia-Central Asia Higher Education Forum 2026 will be conducted, bringing together leaders and representatives from higher education to discuss cooperation opportunities in areas such as student and academic mobility, research, and inter-university networks.

During his visit, Zambry is also expected to be awarded an honorary professorship by L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, where he will deliver a public lecture.

As of June, records indicate that approximately 3,726 students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were enrolled in Malaysian higher education institutions.