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For Immediate Release
June 22, 2010
Potential Alliance on Social and Health Research and Training
Discussed by the New University of Astana (Nazarbayev University) and Columbia University
Kazakhstan and New York-based schools will consider areas of collaboration
Astana, Kazakhstan - Nazarbayev University and the Columbia University School of Social Work today announced their signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which has the intentions of defining framework areas of potential collaboration. The Global Health Research Center of Central Asia (GHRCCA), which is housed in the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW), has been conducting health and social research, education, and training in Kazakhstan since 2007.
The MOU describes areas of mutual interest and possible collaboration. These include the potential development of: (1) bilateral and multilateral social science, social work and health collaborations to help build the capacity of researchers at NU in priority fields through exchanges of faculty, researchers and students; (2) curricula and training materials; (3) joint research using multidisciplinary, science-based interventions to address HIV/AIDS, TB, and other infectious diseases, mental health, environmental health, trans-border health, community well-being, and other concerns of mutual interest; (4) exchanges of advanced education, research and training technologies; and (5) joint regional studies and projects aimed at addressing cross-regional health and social issues.
NU Rector Aslan Sarinzhipov says that this MoU establishes a framework for the development of bilateral relations through GHRCCA and opens up opportunities for developing a new generation of NU researchers and faculty meeting international standards, and facilitates transfer of advanced technologies of education and academic activities.
CUSSW Dean Jeanette Takamura, and Professor Nabila El-Bassel, the Executive Director of the GHRCCA, commented that this was an exciting opportunity for the Global Health Research Center for Asia. Professor Nabila El-Bassel reported, “We have developed substantial collaborations focused on research, education, and training with Kazakhstani health professionals and government agencies. We look forward to working with the Nazarbayev University in the years ahead.”
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About Nazarbayev University (www.nu.edu.kz)
Nazarbayev University is established on the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan with a purpose to raise the future intellectual development of the country. NU is to become a national brand of Kazakhstan by harmoniously combining national identity, best international model of education, science and research practice.
About CUSSW (www.socialwork.columbia.edu)
For 112 years, the Columbia University School of Social Work has been a leader in the education of social work professionals for careers in practice, policy, and administration. Located in New York City, the School offers a master’s and a doctoral program which are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence. With a signature curriculum that features multidisciplinary courses taught by leading scholars and practitioners and rich field education, CUSSW continues to be at the forefront of clinical and community practice, social policy, and social enterprise administration education, research and innovation in the 21st Century.
About GHRCCA (http://ghrcca.columbia.edu)
Columbia University’s Global Health Research Center of Central Asia (GHRCCA), established in 2007, develops and advances evidence-based, sustainable solutions to emerging public health and social issues in the Central Asia region through rigorous research, education, training and policy analysis. This multi-disciplinary center creates crosscutting partnerships with governments, universities and non-governmental organizations in the region and worldwide to achieve its mission. The GHRCCA has offices in New York City and Almaty, Kazakhstan. |
