On 28 October 2026, a seminar was held in Astana on the institutional development of universities, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and intellectual property management. Participants included representatives of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Center for the Development of Higher Education, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Bank, international experts, and universities.
The participants were welcomed by Gulzat Kobenova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Toby Linden, Education Practice Manager for the Europe and Central Asia region at the World Bank.
The seminar focused on developing innovation ecosystems at universities and national intellectual property strategies. WIPO experts Lin Verbauwede and Megan McCann spoke about strengthening the innovation environment at universities. They shared international experience and practical insights into developing university intellectual property policies, from research achievements to their economic impact.
Uldana Shalabayeva, Head of the Department of patent research and TISC coordination at Kazpatent, presented on the specific aspects of intellectual property management in Kazakhstan’s research organizations and universities.
The seminar provided a platform for discussing international experience and practical approaches to university development, intellectual property management, and strengthening links between research and the economy.
