For the first time, a Kazakh higher education institution has emerged victorious in the competitive selection process for Horizon Europe—the European Union’s largest and most prestigious research and innovation instrument.

D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) has joined the international TiBeRIUM project (Titanium and Beryllium for European Resilience and Innovative Utilization of Minerals).

The TiBeRIUM project is dedicated to establishing sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials and implementing advanced "green" processing technologies. For the first time in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, a comprehensive study of titanium and beryllium resources will be conducted in this format. These metals are classified as critical raw materials by the European Union, playing a vital role in high-tech development, industrial resilience, and technological sovereignty.

The project consortium brings together 25 partners from Germany, Greece, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The project is coordinated by the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany). On the Kazakh side, the project involves D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University, Tenir Group LLP, and Ulba Metallurgical Plant JSC.

Under this initiative, Kazakhstan acts not merely as a raw material supplier but as an equal partner in scientific research, technological development, and eco-efficient processing. This serves as a prime example of transitioning from an "extraction-export" model to a "science-technology-talent-added value" framework.

Participation in the TiBeRIUM project facilitates the transfer of advanced international technologies, the advancement of applied science and world-class engineering competencies, and the training of a new generation of researchers and engineers. Furthermore, it strengthens Kazakhstan’s role in global critical material supply chains.

University representatives noted that competition within the Horizon Europe program is exceptionally intense, with rigorous standards for research quality and project management, where geographical advantages are not a factor. The successful selection of a Kazakh university clearly demonstrates the global competitiveness of the nation's scientific sector.