A ceremonial event, "Central Asia’s Gateway to Global Executive Education: Networking & Reception," was held at Almaty Management University (AlmaU) to mark the launch of the international dual-degree Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) program in Kazakhstan.

In his video address, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with global universities and leading companies, as well as joint government initiatives aimed at creating a favorable ecosystem for business, innovation, and technological development.

"A prime example of this is the GEMBA program, implemented in partnership with Antwerp Management School. This program, integrating expertise from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Singapore Management University, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, and Antwerp Management School, provides participants with high-quality education, combining European, Kazakhstani, and international business traditions," the minister stated.

The GEMBA program has been developed by AlmaU in partnership with Antwerp Management School (Belgium), one of the world’s top business schools, ranked among the TOP 50 by the Financial Times and holding prestigious international accreditations (AACSB, AMBA, EFMD).

AlmaU President Asylbek Kozhakhmetov described the launch of GEMBA as a strategically significant step toward fostering regional and international leadership:

"This program integrates cutting-edge business approaches from Europe, Central Asia, the United States, and Singapore. Our graduates will not just earn an MBA but will gain a unique international experience, enabling them to drive transformational change in their companies, industries, and the broader economy."

Bart Cambre, Deputy Dean for Research and Implementation at AMS, highlighted Belgium’s academic traditions and its role in advancing global business education:

"Our university in Antwerp has existed for centuries, and our business school, founded in 1959, runs one of the oldest MBA programs in the region. Kazakhstan, located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, sharing borders with China and Russia, holds immense potential for our collaboration."

The evening concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially inaugurating the GEMBA program in Kazakhstan. The Networking & Reception format provided attendees with an opportunity to discuss trends in business education and strengthen Kazakhstan’s business ties with Belgium and the