The University of Oxford plans to launch a Kazakh language program. An appropriate agreement was signed between the British university and the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Kazinform News Agency reports.

Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek and rectors of the leading higher education institutions of Kazakhstan visited one of the world’s oldest universities.

The delegation got acquainted with exclusive ancient manuscripts of the Oxford Bodleian Library related to Kazakhstan and took a tour of the university.

Sayasat Nurbek made a presentation of the Oxford Qazaq Dictionary, compiled at the Kazakh President’s instruction, for the British side.

Language is a great value for our people. By presenting today the Kazakh-English Dictionary, we cross a new historical threshold. Thanks to it, more people around the world will learn about our culture. We develop the Kazakh language not only on paper, but we also digitalize the state language, the Minister stressed.

The Oxford Qazaq Dictionary was published in late 2023. The first 1300-page edition contains more than 60,000 words.

Minister Nurbek also held talks with Maia Chankseliani, one of the leading higher education experts, Associate Professor of Comparative and International Education at Oxford University. The sides discussed such important issues as research internship programs, academic excellency and higher education policy consulting.