Vice Minister of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Talgat Lastaev, met with representatives of Kent State University. The university delegation was led by Executive President and Provost, Academic Affairs Dr. Melody Tankersley and included Associate Vice President, Office of Global Education Dr. Paulo Mussi, Associate Dean, Academic Affairs, College of Aeronatics and Engineering Dr. Maureen McFarland, and Director of Eurasia Strategic Affairs, Office of Global Education, MEd Ayya Hudaybergenova.

Representing the Kazakh side were also Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee Saltanat Tompiyeva and Chief Executive Officer of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan Michael Daniel.

Kent State University is a public U.S. university with a well-developed infrastructure, offering programs in aviation and the training of aviation professionals.

The purpose of the university representatives’ visit to Kazakhstan was to discuss the establishment of an international aviation university. The new university is expected to be a joint project in Kazakhstan, aimed at training aviation specialists in accordance with international standards.

At the same time, cooperation with the Civil Aviation Academy is being developed, including dual-degree programs, academic mobility, and joint research projects.

During the meeting, Melody Tankersley emphasized that global partnership is a key factor in improving the quality of education.

The parties discussed promising areas for further cooperation aimed at enhancing the quality of training and implementing international standards.