China and Kazakhstan Upgrade Water Talent Cooperation Program, Aiming to Train 200 Experts by End of 2026

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Kazakhstan and China have recently upgraded their strategic cooperation in the water sector, establishing a normalized system for joint talent training and technical exchange. Kazakhstan's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, met with Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Han Chunlin, to finalize the details of the water talent training cooperation. According to the plan, approximately 200 Kazakh water professionals will be trained by the end of 2026.

In May 2026, the first batch of Kazakh water experts traveled to China to participate in seminars on water resource management and environmental restoration technologies. The training was conducted under a memorandum of understanding between bilateral ministries and enterprises, with all costs covered by the Chinese side. In September 2026, the Kazakh National University of Water Management and Irrigation will launch a joint education program with North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power. The two sides have also discussed scholarship policies for international students. Additionally, China and Kazakhstan plan to establish a specialized training center at the Taraz Water Research Institute in collaboration with the Three Gorges Electric Power Vocational College. Starting from the 2026-2027 academic year, Kazakhstan will add two new water talent training academies to expand its domestic pool of professional expertise.

Efficient management of transboundary water resources, operation and maintenance of water infrastructure, and water environment restoration are key areas of bilateral cooperation between China and Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan is advancing the modernization of its water management system but faces a shortage of high-end technical and management talent. Leveraging China's proven water management technologies and education system for joint training has become a crucial strategy to address industry gaps and enhance refined water resource governance capabilities.

This talent collaboration represents a significant step in deepening the integration of the water industries between China and Kazakhstan. Through normalized technical training, joint education programs, and localized practical training, China continues to export water technology standards and operational experience, laying a talent foundation for Chinese enterprises to participate in Kazakhstan's water infrastructure projects and transboundary water initiatives. Kazakhstan, in turn, relies on the school-enterprise cooperation system to build a localized talent pipeline, empowering the long-term sustainable development of its water sector.