This August, the Visiting International Professional Program had the pleasure of hosting an academic forum for this year’s Bolashak Scholars to present their final projects and reflections after a year-long study at Michigan State University.

These scholars from Kazakhstan were sponsored by the Bolashak International Scholarship Program to pursue the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of elevating their knowledge and expertise as tomorrow’s leaders at a globally ranked, major research institution in the heart of the American Midwest.

This two-day symposium featured 15 scholars, showcasing the diversity of their studies and experiences in the program, at MSU, and of their research abroad.

“It was a good chance for me to pursue the visa internship here at MSU,” said Kaiyrbek Makulov, a scholar and Associate Professor from Yessenov University. Makulov completed an academic research internship on campus, focusing on expanding international scientific collaboration and conducting research in the field of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

“This university is known as one of the top green universities, and I really enjoyed it here, and I’m glad to come back again in the future,” Makulov continued.

Symbat Naurzkulova, Ph.D., is a research scholar from M.Kh. Dulaty Taraz University specializing in heterogeneous catalysis, perovskite oxides, and hydrogen and syngas production. In addition to achieving her goals of building international research collaborations and bringing new methods back to Kazakhstan, she also had success in bringing her family abroad with her to Michigan and building relationships across the world.

“I’m so happy that my son can speak fluent English,” Naurzkulova said. “I hope when he is older, he can reach a high-ranking university back here in the U.S., like Harvard or MIT [Massachusetts Institute of Technology].”

“This year was not just about research; it was also about friendship, communication, and making memories,” Naurzkulova said. “Thank you VIPP and my Kazakh colleagues—we are now a close-knit community.”

VIPP’s Assistant Director, Xiaoqing Chen, Ph.D. facilitated the forum as the scholars’ program coordinator, but has also spent the past year connecting with all these scholars individually, having observed and aided in their development during their time at MSU.

“Who I want to thank the most is the Bolashak office, because they always send the best scholars here,” Chen said. “They make so much great progress here at MSU, and I hope what they achieved here they can bring back to Kazakhstan and stay connected here with VIPP at MSU.”

VIPP would also like to thank MSU’s International Studies and Programs, as well as the Office for International Studies and Scholars for their support and encouragement of the Bolashak Scholar Program here at MSU, allowing these leaders to make a difference both in Michigan and back home in Kazakhstan.

Interested in learning more about the Bolashak Scholar Program here at MSU? Visit VIPP’s website for more information.