CIMEA opens its first
Regional Office in Central Asia

CIMEA Central Asia – Kazakhstan is launched as the new regional center dedicated to academic mobility, the recognition of qualifications, and the internationalization of higher education.

A strategic bridge between Europe and Central Asia.

Kazakhstan

International Centre for Academic Mobility, Recognition, and Internationalisation in Higher Education

About CIMEA Central Asia

CIMEA Central Asia operates as a regional hub of CIMEA (Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence), extending its expertise and services to Central Asian countries while strengthening cooperation with the Europe.

The Centre supports academic mobility, recognition of qualifications, and internationalisation of higher education systems by providing expert, scientific, methodological, and organizational services to public institutions, universities, employers, and individuals.

Building on CIMEA’s long-standing experience, CIMEA Central Asia serves as a bridge between European and Central Asian education and research ecosystems.

Governance
Director of the center: Aitzhan Kulumzhanova

Mission and Objectives

The mission of CIMEA Central Asia is to:

Facilitate transparent and reliable recognition of educational qualifications between Central Asia and Europe
Promote academic mobility of students, researchers, and professionals
Support the internationalisation of universities and research institutions
Enhance quality assurance, comparability, and trust in education systems
Foster scientific, educational, and cultural cooperation between Europe and Central Asia

The Centre operates in line with international standards, including the principles of the European Higher Education Area and Lisbon Recognition Convention, and applies comparative, case-by-case evaluation methodologies consistent with European best practices.

Core Areas of Activity

CIMEA Central Asia provides a comprehensive range of services, including:

Consulting and expert support to design internationalisation strategies
Recognition of educational documents and credentials
Transnational education (TNE) solutions for programmes and institutions
Microcredentials and innovative learning pathways
Quality assurance and recognition policies

Research and Analysis

Internationalisation of higher education
Academic mobility trends
Recognition frameworks and practices

Institutional and Administrative Support

Expert support for international cooperation and mobility programmes
Qualified assistance for participation in academic and research programmes funded at EU and non-EU level
Technical and organizational support for public and private institutions

Education, Events, and Capacity Building

Organisation of conferences, seminars, forums, and training programmes
Implementation of educational and continuing professional programmes
Dissemination of scientific, analytical, and education policy-oriented publications

Digital and Innovative Solutions

Development of databases and digital platforms
Application of artificial intelligence and innovative tools in education
Support for secure, transparent credential evaluation systems
Development of blockchain solutions in the field of education

Why Central Asia and Why Kazakhstan?

Strategic Importance of Central Asia

Central Asia is experiencing rapid development in higher education, international academic mobility, and cross-border cooperation. Universities and governments in the Region increasingly seek:

International recognition of qualifications
Alignment with European education standards
Participation in joint, double-degree, and mobility programmes
Transparent credential evaluation for study, employment, and migration

The establishment of CIMEA Central Asia responds to these growing needs by providing locally accessible expertise grounded in European recognition frameworks.

Kazakhstan as a Regional Hub

Kazakhstan was selected as the host country due to:

Its central geographic position in the Region
Education system with strong international ambitions
Active participation in international educational reforms and mobility initiatives
Strong institutional capacity and openness to European/Central Asia cooperation

Positioning the office in Kazakhstan enables efficient outreach to neighbouring Central Asian countries while serving as a stable operational base for regional activities.

Prospects and Long-Term Vision

CIMEA Central Asia aims to become:

A regional reference centre for qualification recognition and comparability
A platform for policy dialogue between Europe and Central Asian education authorities
A driver of joint research, educational projects, and international grants
A facilitator of trust and transparency in academic and professional mobility

In the long term, the Centre will contribute to harmonising recognition practices, strengthening institutional capacities, and supporting sustainable internationalisation of higher education systems across Central Asia, Asia Pacific Region, and Europe.

Who We Work With