Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) is set to expand its global presence by opening a branch campus in China, marking a major step in educational cooperation between the two countries.

The new campus will be established at Soochow University in Suzhou under a cooperation agreement signed during a roundtable of Kazakh and Chinese high-tech companies, The Caspian Post reports via Kazinform.

Initially, the branch will offer three academic programs, including electrical engineering and artificial intelligence, with 100 students to be enrolled in each program during the first phase.

KazNU Rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev described the project as a historic milestone for the university, highlighting the growing interest among Chinese students in studying at Kazakhstan's leading higher education institution.

Tuimebayev said that KazNU currently hosts around 7,000 international students, including nearly 2,200 from China, reflecting the university's rising international reputation and increasing confidence in Kazakhstan's higher education system.

Founded in 1900, Soochow University is one of China's leading academic institutions, with around 60,000 students, more than 5,000 faculty members, and 37 schools and faculties. The university ranks 114th in the QS Asia University Rankings.