ERASMUS+ (KA171): A successful model of international partnership, academic mobility and research at the School of Pharmacy, KazNMU
International cooperation is one of the priority areas of activity for higher education institutions and an important mechanism for improving the quality of education, developing scientific research and training competitive specialists who meet modern international requirements.
The School of Pharmacy at the S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University has for many years been successfully implementing international academic mobility projects under the Erasmus+ programme, demonstrating a high standard of educational, scientific and research activities. Thanks to systematic cooperation with the Medical University of Lublin (Poland), an effective model of international partnership has been established, combining education, science and practice-oriented research.
Academic mobility for teaching staff under the Erasmus+ programme (KA171–2025–2028) is carried out on the basis of a cooperation agreement between the S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and the Medical University of Lublin.
Significant results have been achieved over the years of collaboration. Under the academic supervision of our Polish partners, more than ten PhDs have been awarded, and joint international-level research projects have been successfully carried out, the results of which have been published in highly-rated international scientific journals and utilised in the development of modern approaches to the standardisation of medicinal plant raw materials and the creation of new medicines. There is ongoing academic mobility between the universities involving academic staff, early-career researchers, PhD students and researchers, which helps to strengthen academic ties and facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge knowledge.
The main objective of the ERASMUS+ programme (KA171–2025–2028) is to implement the internationalisation strategy of the partner universities through academic mobility, the exchange of knowledge and professional expertise, and the development of joint research in the fields of pharmaceutical technology, pharmacognosy, microbiology and the creation of new medicinal and cosmetic products based on natural compounds. The programme also aims to enhance the professional qualifications of academic and teaching staff, develop joint international projects and expand cooperation between departments, scientific laboratories and research centres at both universities.
As part of the ERASMUS+ academic mobility programme (KA171–2025–2028), representatives from the Medical University of Lublin—Professors Anna Malm and Izabela Korona-Glowniak, who are the project coordinators on the Polish side—visited the School of Pharmacy at S.D. Asfendiyarov, a visit was paid by representatives of the Medical University of Lublin – Professors Anna Malm and Izabela Korona-Glowniak, who are the project coordinators on the Polish side.
The programme coordinator on behalf of KazNMU was the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Professor Zuriyadda Bektemirovna Sakipova. The events were moderated by Nargiz Akhmetzhanovna Rakhimova, a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacognosy (Botany Course), and Ruslan Isataevich Kulmanbetov, Head of the Department of Orthodontics and Associate Professor. The events were also attended by the academic staff of the School of Pharmacy and the Department of Orthodontics, as well as young researchers, PhD students, Master’s students and undergraduates from KazNMU.
During the programme, the international partners visited the B. Atchabarov Research Institute of Fundamental and Applied Medicine, the State Enterprise on Public Health ‘Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction’ under the Committee for Agriculture, Livestock and Veterinary Medicine of the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and familiarised themselves with the university’s research infrastructure and the areas of research being conducted.
A joint scientific research expedition, organised with the aim of studying and collecting medicinal plants with potential for the development of new natural pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, featured prominently in the programme. The expedition was carried out with the participation of specialists from the State Specialised Enterprise ‘Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction’ under the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Scientific support for the expedition was provided by leading experts from the Institute of Botany — Irina Otradnykh and Irina Siedina.
Particular attention was paid to the scientific exchange of expertise. As part of the programme, two international round-table discussions were held:
- ‘Development of New Formulations Based on Plant-Derived Compounds for Application in the Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries’;
- ‘Plant-Derived Compounds as Antimicrobials and Prebiotics: Their Significance in Applied Research’.
During the discussions, the latest research findings were presented in the fields of developing medicines based on natural compounds, studying the antimicrobial activity of plant substances, technologies for standardising medicinal raw materials, and the prospects for commercialising scientific developments.
Asfendiyarov University, founded in 1930, is one of Kazakhstan’s leading medical universities. The university has over 10,000 students. It comprises schools specialising in ‘General Medicine’, ‘Paediatrics’, ‘Dentistry’, ‘Public Health’ and ‘Pharmacy’. The university has four university hospitals of its own, five research institutes and centres, and collaborates with 147 clinical training centres, ensuring a high standard of educational and research training.
Research papers were presented at the round-table discussions by professors from the Medical University of Lublin, as well as PhD students from the School of Pharmacy at KazNMU: Elnura Yerzhanqyzy Izteleuova, Balzhan Bekbosynovna Rysalova, Mariyam Bulatovna Ibraeva and Aruzhan Bakytzhanqyzy Sabyrova.
At the conclusion of the programme, all participants successfully completed the ERASMUS+ educational module (KA171–2025–2028) and received international certificates confirming their completion of a 36-academic-hour placement.
The implementation of the programme served as further confirmation of the effectiveness of the long-standing cooperation between KazNMU and the Medical University of Lublin. Academic mobility contributes to the development of international scientific cooperation, the introduction of modern educational technologies, the enhancement of research competencies among young scientists and lecturers, an increase in publication output, and the establishment of joint scientific projects of international standing.
Further cooperation envisages:
- conducting joint research into the development of new medicines and the study of naturally occurring bioactive substances;
- developing interdisciplinary research in the fields of pharmacognosy, microbiology, pharmaceutical technology and clinical dentistry;
- organising international masterclasses, research schools, seminars and academic mobility programmes;
- preparing joint publications in highly ranked international scientific journals and participating in competitions for international research grants (Erasmus+, NAWA, etc.);
- developing research infrastructure, exchanging state-of-the-art methodologies and expanding cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry.
Experience in implementing Erasmus+ programmes clearly demonstrates that the School of Pharmacy at KazNMU is one of the leading centres for international academic and scientific cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical education. The consistent implementation of joint projects with the Medical University of Lublin ensures the sustainable development of scientific research, improves the quality of training for research staff, introduces innovative technologies into the educational process and strengthens the university’s international standing. The results achieved lay a solid foundation for the further expansion of international partnerships, the implementation of new research initiatives and the integration of KazNMU into the global scientific and educational community.
