On May 5, 2026, the official opening ceremony of the Lumières Foundation was held in Astana at M. Narikbayev University. The event was attended by Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as representatives of academic, institutional, and business communities.

On behalf of IITU, Acting Chairman of the Board – Rector K.V. Kolesnikova took part in the ceremony, supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation.

Participation in high-level international events of this scale highlights IITU’s strong global standing, its active engagement in the international academic agenda, and its commitment to developing strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide.

The Lumières Foundation is one of the key projects in the field of higher education. Its main objective is to promote dual-degree programs and joint research initiatives between universities in Kazakhstan and France. The foundation also focuses on strengthening cooperation with French companies and enhancing student academic mobility.

The event opened new opportunities for collaboration between Kazakhstan and France and marked an important step in strengthening ties between the academic and economic ecosystems of both countries.