Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University to launch joint initiatives in the academic and scientific spheres.
According to the ministry, the parties agreed to organize academic exchanges, including scholarships and research internships in such areas as history, politics, economics, and sustainable development. Kazakh scholars will be given access to the library and archives of Harvard University for the duration of jointly implemented projects.
In an effort aimed at the preservation and popularization of Kazakhstan’s historical heritage, Kazakhstan will launch a joint project with the Houghton Library, home to Harvard’s rare books and manuscripts, to catalog and digitize the Kazakh collection of rare books and manuscripts.
The project will create an electronic database that will be available to researchers and students. It will also organize the exchange of experience between specialists from libraries and archives of Kazakhstan and the United States in the field of storage, cataloging and study of rare editions.
In addition, the project plans to hold exhibitions and cultural events dedicated to the Kazakh collection in order to draw attention to the rich cultural and historical heritage of Kazakhstan.
An important area of cooperation will be providing Kazakhstani educational and scientific institutions with access to the electronic database of the Houghton Library, which will significantly expand the opportunities for scientific work.
The memorandum also provides for support for research projects and scientific publications based on materials from the Kazakhstani collection, which will contribute to an in-depth study of the history and culture of Kazakhstan.
