Anhalt International University became the host venue for the Kazakhstan–German iRIF-2025 Forum.

In Almaty, the four-day Kazakhstan–German iRIF-2025 Forum was held on the campuses of Anhalt International University (AIU) and Energo University. The event took place with the support of Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education, Research and Technology (BMFTR), DAAD, and with the participation of representatives from science, education, and industry from both countries.

The forum opened on September 15 with a ceremonial welcome for the first cohort of students of Anhalt International University. This year, 52 first-year students began their studies at AIU and were introduced to the leadership of Hochschule Anhalt and the infrastructure of the Energo University campus. The welcome ceremony featured speeches by the President of Hochschule Anhalt, Prof. Dr. Jörg Bagdahn; the Director of AIU in Kazakhstan, Prof. Dr. Eduard Zimmens; Vice-Consul of the German Consulate General in Almaty, Wolfgang Faust; Rector of Energo University, Gani Nygymetov; as well as representatives of German industrial companies.

Ministers from both countries also addressed the participants —
Prof. Dr. Armin Willingmann, Minister of Science, Energy, Climate Protection and the Environment of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, and Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Both emphasized the importance of developing applied engineering education and deepening cooperation between universities in Germany and Kazakhstan.

As part of the forum, a scientific and practical conference was held where researchers from Germany and Kazakhstan presented reports on energy efficiency, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and intelligent energy management systems. In the following days, participants visited key energy facilities in Almaty and the Almaty region, including the city CHP plant, the Kapchagay hydropower plant, the Shelek wind farm, as well as the production facilities of the Kazakh measurement-equipment manufacturer Nero Group.

The leadership of AIU expressed gratitude to Energo University and the companies that provided sites for excursions and discussions. As noted by Prof. Dr. Eduard Zimmens, Germany and Kazakhstan will continue to strengthen their partnership in engineering education, energy efficiency, and digital measurement technologies — based on joint academic initiatives and cooperation with industry.

About AIU

The branch of Hochschule Anhalt, known as Anhalt International University (AIU), was opened in Almaty in 2024 on the campus of Energo University. AIU offers English-language bachelor’s programs that meet German educational standards. Graduates receive two diplomas — one German and one Kazakh. The programs include Electrical and Computer Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Courses are taught by professors from Germany, and students are offered practical training and educational internships.

Source:
Anna Nikitenko, DAZ — Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung
https://daz.asia/blog/kasachisch-deutsches-forum-irif-2025-staerkt-partnerschaft-in-energie-und-digitalisierung/