On May 13, 2026, the Fourth Scientific Seminar titled «Migration Trends in Central Asia: External and Internal Factors of Influence» was held at Nazarbayev University.
The organizers were the Public Opinion Research Institute, the School of Sciences and Humanities, and the Graduate School of Public Policy of Nazarbayev University.
The First joint scientific seminar, «Labor Migration: Problems, Solutions, and Prospects» was held on January 22, 2016. Within the framework of this seminar, the results of a sociological survey of labor migrants conducted by the Public Opinion Research Institute on behalf of Nazarbayev University were presented.
On November 22, 2019, the Second Scientific Seminar was held at Nazarbayev University, organized by the School of Sciences and Humanities, the Nazarbayev University Library, and the Public Opinion Research Institute. The keynote speaker in the panel discussion was migration specialist António Mendonça, with a presentation titled «Migrants from Central Asia in Western Europe: Numbers, Mobility, Profiles, Identity»
On December 4, 2020, the Third Scientific Seminar titled «Illegal Migration from Kazakhstan to South Korea» was held at the site of the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations (KCIR). The seminar was organized by the Kazakhstan Council on International Relations (KCIR), the Public Opinion Research Institute, and the School of Sciences and Humanities of Nazarbayev University.
More information is available on the website of the Public Opinion Research Institute:
https://opinions.kz/en/events/scientific-seminars-on-migration
Moderators: Kares Shenk (Nazarbayev University), Botagoz Rakisheva (Public Opinion Research Institute).
Speakers at the seminar included:
Kares Shenk, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Nazarbayev University, with the presentation «Difficulties of Researching Migration in Kazakhstan»,
Ayaulym Sagynbayeva, Head of the Center for Analysis and Forecasting of Demographic Processes, Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Founder of the Association of Demographers of Kazakhstan, with the presentation «Assessment of Current Migration Trends in Kazakhstan and Central Asian Countries»,
Leila Delovarova, Acting Professor, Department of International Relations and World Economy, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, with the presentation «New Migration Trends and Directions in Central Asia»,
Nurkhan Zhaliyev, Managing Director of the Department of Analysis and Strategic Development, Otandastar Foundation, with the presentation «Compatriots Abroad as a Strategic Resource for Kazakhstan’s Development: From Symbolic Ties to Pragmatic Engagement Mechanisms»,
Kalmakas Yessimova, Master of Anthropology and Ethnology, Public Opinion Research Institute, Astana IT University, with the presentation «Key Trends of Chinese Migration in Kazakhstan»,
Vladimir Kozlov, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, Nazarbayev University, with the presentation «Key Factors Affecting Fertility Intentions of Russian Migrants in Central Asia».
Online commentator: Dr. Larisa Kangaspuro, Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki.