Elevating International Higher Education
Catalina Global continues to elevate international higher education collaboration through the launch of new dual degree programs between th...
Earlier this year, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago, Illinois, and Narxoz University in Almaty, Kazakhstan, signed an institutional partnership agreement, establishing a Microcampus, with the first dual degree program in Computer Engineering. Over the course of two days, representatives engaged in extensive discussions and relationship-building activities, which culminated in the signing of a partnership agreement.
Catalina Global, with its experience and extensive global higher education network, has played a leading role in facilitating the partnership and aligning of both academic and ongoing operational elements of this groundbreaking partnership. This agreement marks the first transnational education partnership for Illinois Tech in Kazakhstan, with future degree offerings planned over the next five years.
This represents the third large scale project launched in Kazakhstan by Catalina Global’s founder Daniel Palm. In 2021, as the Associate Vice President at the University of Arizona, Palm led the team that launched the first Microcampus partnership between a US and Kazakh university. In 2024, Catalina Global supported the launch of a Computer Science partnership between the University of Minnesota, Morris and Baitursynuly University.
“The partnership between Kazakhstani universities and top U.S. universities like Penn State, the University of Arizona and the University of Minnesota allows for strengthening the training of Kazakhstani specialists through dual degree programs based on the best international standards. Today, Narxoz University is signing an institutional agreement to prepare IT professionals with one of the leading universities, Illinois Institute of Technology. This will create new opportunities for Kazakhstanis to access world-class education.” said Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to the U.S.
As part of the collaboration, a dual degree program will be launched, enabling students to earn two bachelor’s degrees in IT disciplines—one from Narxoz University in Kazakhstan and one from Illinois Institute of Technology in the United States—through a 4+0 format. This means that students will complete their entire four-year education at Narxoz University in Kazakhstan and receive two diplomas upon graduation. Additionally, students have the option to spend anywhere from one month to a year at IIT if they wish to further enhance their academic experience.
“The dual degree program with Illinois Institute of Technology is an important step in providing students from Kazakhstan with knowledge and skills that meet international standards. Narxoz University offers unique opportunities that pave the way for a global career in high-tech fields and contribute to the development of this sector in our country.” emphasized Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education.
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