Abstract:

Geopolitical and educational strategies are increasingly intertwined, especially in the context of China's Belt and Road Initiative. China established the Northwestern Polytechnical University Kazakhstan Branch in 2023 in the Eurasian region, marking significant progress in the integration of higher education between China and Kazakhstan. This collaboration is an example of a strategic move to increase global influence through education cooperation, and raises several new research questions: How do political barriers and cultural differences affect the actual progress of bilateral educational integration? In the post-pandemic era, what challenges and opportunities do the new economic, social and technological environments present for China-Kazakhstan education cooperation? Can the development path of higher education integration between China and Kazakhstan fully utilize the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and promote educational exchanges and cooperation globally? This study aims to explore the factors and mechanisms of China-Kazakhstan higher education cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, identify achievements and discuss future integration paths.

Using various social science research methods such as literature review, focus groups, interviews and surveys, this study draws on government reports, policy documents, academic journals and global commentary. It comprehensively analyses the development of bilateral education cooperation during the Belt and Road Initiative, its key achievements and its impact on bilateral or multilateral relations. It also explores the macro-economic, political, and cultural motivations driving these collaborations, the meso-level policy formulation, talent introduction policies, industry trends, the establishment and expansion of academic exchange platforms, technological innovations, changes in market demand, as well as the micro-level individual and organizational drivers. The author identifies and assesses the new opportunities and challenges in China-Kazakhstan educational diplomacy, in particular the potential in promoting the employment environment and innovative education models, and the impact of external factors, and examines how these new opportunities are reshaping the future of bilateral educational exchanges. A novelty of this paper lies in referring to successful global education integration programmes such as the Bologna Process, Erasmus+, etc., while exploring the development and impact of China-Kazakhstan higher education cooperation in recent years and providing recommendations for future bilateral higher education integration.

The significance of this study lies in expanding the scope of research on BRI education policy in Eurasia, addressing the limitations of macroscopic approaches, and providing a robust empirical data base through a mixed-methods approach. It aims to deepen understanding of the long-term effectiveness of the cooperation and provide actionable policy recommendations.