Dali University Deepens Cooperation with Kazakhstan's Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, Focusing on Joint Talent Cultivation to Empower Silk Road Astronomy Development

To respond to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and support the development of the astronomy and information disciplines at Dali University, Prof. Zhongmu Li—Dean of the Institute of Astronomy and Information of Dali University and Chair of the Silk Road Astronomy Research and Education Alliance—was invited to pay an academic visit to the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute in Kazakhstan from December 2 to 9, 2025. The core focus of this visit was to advance bilateral cooperation in joint talent cultivation in the astronomical field.

During the visit, Prof. Zhongmu Li and Prof. Chingis Omarov—Director of the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute and Vice Chair of the Silk Road Astronomy Research and Education Alliance—jointly signed a Memorandum of International Cooperation, which identified joint talent cultivation as the core cooperation content. In line with the memorandum, the two parties will establish an exchange mechanism for young teachers and research backbones, launch undergraduate and graduate student exchange programs, and enhance the international scientific research perspective and professional capabilities of teachers and students through joint supervision, cross-border academic exchanges and other initiatives.

In addition, representatives from alliance member countries including China, Kazakhstan and Germany took the opportunity of this visit to hold an online preparatory meeting for the 2nd Academic Seminar of the Silk Road Astronomy Research and Education Alliance. The meeting focused on discussing paths for joint cultivation of young talents in the astronomical field along the Silk Road, building a communication platform for transnational talent co-cultivation.

The achievement of this cooperation marks that the talent cultivation cooperation between Dali University and the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute has entered a substantive stage. It will provide strong support for fostering astronomical talents with both professional competence and international perspective for the two parties and countries along the Silk Road, while helping Dali University expand its international academic influence.