CALES celebrates first graduating cohorts through U of A partnerships with Kazakhstan universities

The College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES) is pleased to celebrate the first graduating cohorts of students through the University of Arizona’s strategic partnerships with M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University (NKU) in Petropavl, Kazakhstan, and the International University of Tourism and Hospitality (IUTH) in Turkestan, Kazakhstan.

Image

Currently, CALES offers two programs through the U of A’s Kazakhstani partnerships: the B.S. in Applied Biotechnology through NKU, and the undergraduate Certificate in Sustainable Tourism through IUTH and the Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. Upon completion of the bachelor’s program, applied biotechnology students will earn a degree from both the U of A and a B.S. in Biotechnology from NKU. Sustainable tourism students will receive a certificate from the U of A.

On July 11, 2026, NKU held its commencement, with nine students graduating with a degree in applied biotechnology. Two members of the CALES faculty were in attendance – Samantha Orchard and Ola Lundemo – along with University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella and U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie M. Stufft. Both Garimella and Stufft spoke during the ceremony. 

Image

Said Orchard, a CALES plant sciences professor of practice, “It has been a pleasure seeing these students grow their English language skills, scientific knowledge, independence, and confidence over the past four years, and a joy to see them earn their degrees to wide acclaim.” 

Kristina Borissova, one of the graduating students, has been accepted into the U of A M.S. in Plant Sciences program for this coming academic year.

Looking ahead, the college anticipates continued growth in these partnership programs. In the applied biotechnology major, they anticipate 90 returning students for the Fall 2026 semester, and up to 40 incoming first-year students. 

At IUTH, six students completed the sustainable tourism program this past spring and were awarded their undergraduate certificates. The college anticipates nine students will complete the program in Fall 2026 at KAFU.

"Graduating our first cohorts is an exciting milestone. These students have embraced an international learning experience that prepares them to contribute to sustainable development and strengthens the ties between our institutions,” said Ludemo, the CALES assistant director of international tourism and hospitality.

Image

Since the inception of these partnerships in Fall 2022, the CALES faculty have played a vital role in their success. Through a program called “Study Arizona,” Kazakhstani students spend a semester in Tucson completing coursework. Several academic units have provided visiting students with opportunities through classes, labs and research roles. Nine students participated in Study Arizona in Fall 2025, and the college is looking forward to hosting ten students in Fall 2026. 

For students studying at the NKU, IUTH and KAFU campuses, CALES faculty instruct them through online courses. Additionally, Betsy Arnold, Rod Wing and Samantha Orchard have given in-person guest lectures and seminars at the NKU campus. 

CALES faculty also partner with NKU research teams, collaborating on groundbreaking research. Charles Gerba with the Department of Environmental Science has received funding to train NKU faculty to evaluate pathogens and parasites in irrigation water. Rod Wing with the School of Plant Sciences has been collaborating with NKU on genomics research projects. 

“This program helps advance the global frontier of biotechnology, which touches all aspects of our lives here in Arizona and beyond,” said Betsy Arnold, interim director of the School of Plant Sciences. “From medicine to agriculture, and all points in between, biotechnology provides the tools and talent to solve emergent challenges that face humankind.”