Top American diploma at Narxoz: a joint educational program with the Illinois Institute of Technology has been announced

On January 13, 2025, an institutional partnership agreement was signed in Chicago between Narxoz University and the Illinois Institute of Technology. The collaboration between the two universities is part of the strategic Narxoz Global-2030 initiative, aimed at raising the training of IT specialists to a new global level in accordance with international standards. The strategy involves establishing sustainable relationships with leading world universities, as evidenced by Narxoz’s partnerships with Queen's University Belfast, Penn State University, and others.

Sayat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The dual degree program with the Illinois Institute of Technology is an important step in ensuring that students from Kazakhstan acquire knowledge and skills that meet international standards. Narxoz University offers unique opportunities that open the path to a global career in the IT-tech industry and the development of this sector in our country. This partnership demonstrates the high reputation of the University on the international educational stage. International recognition of Narxoz is also confirmed by its results in global rankings and accreditations.

As part of the collaboration, a dual degree program will be implemented, allowing students to receive two bachelor’s degrees from the Kazakhstani and American universities in IT specialties in a 4+0 format. This means students will complete the entire four-year study cycle in Kazakhstan at Narxoz University and receive two diplomas upon graduation. However, if they wish, they can also spend from one month to one year at the Illinois Institute of Technology, in which case the study will take place in a 3+1 format.

Erzhan Ashikbaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA

Partnership relations between universities in Kazakhstan and top universities in the United States, such as Penn State, the University of Arizona, and the University of Minnesota, help strengthen the training of Kazakhstani specialists through dual degree educational programs based on the best international standards. Today, Narxoz University is signing an institutional agreement for the training of IT specialists with one of the leading universities, the Illinois Institute of Technology. This will create new prospects and opportunities for Kazakhstani citizens to access world-class education. The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the USA consistently supports and facilitates the implementation of such programs.

The program is focused on training specialists in the fields of Computer Engineering and Digital Technologies in English. It also includes the possibility of staying in the United States to gain additional practical experience through Optional Practical Training for up to three years.

Kanat Kozhakhmet, President of Narxoz University

Narxoz University is moving to a new global level of IT specialist training. We carefully selected a partner for the School of Digital Technologies, and the Illinois Institute of Technology is ideally suited to implement our planned initiatives. We are confident that the joint program will provide students with global skills and open new career prospects on the international stage.

The return visit of the Illinois Institute of Technology delegation to Kazakhstan is scheduled for March 2025. Students will be able to start studying under the new dual degree program as early as September 2025. This initiative is supported by the international organization Catalina Global, whose mission is to support global educational innovative projects.

Illinois Tech from Chicago is a prestigious university known for its high-quality education in STEM and its focus on supporting career opportunities for graduates. Thanks to the unique Elevate program, students gain real professional experience, which guarantees them brilliant career prospects. According to the Wall Street Journal 2025 ranking, Illinois Tech holds the leading position in the state in terms of graduate starting salaries. In the New York Times 2023 ranking, the university ranks first in the state and 20th in the United States in terms of graduate income. Additionally, the university ranks 29th in the Best Value School category among the best universities in the United States according to the U.S. News & World Report 2025, which reflects the balance between tuition costs and graduates' career opportunities. By the way, Illinois Tech graduates work at major international IT companies.

Malik Sundharam, Vice President for International Relations and Admissions Process at Illinois Tech

This agreement expands our global educational mission and further strengthens the reputation of Illinois Tech as a world leader in career-oriented, cutting-edge education that acts as a catalyst for new opportunities. The partnership with Narxoz University allows us to enhance our international influence by transferring our sustainable innovative educational model to ambitious future leaders in Kazakhstan. Together, we are shaping a new generation of IT specialists, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful career on the global stage.

The School of Digital Technologies at Narxoz University offers practice-oriented education based on the study of advanced technologies and skills. The curricula are aligned with employers, and classes are conducted by representatives of the IT industry and expert practitioners. The educational programs of the School of Digital Technologies are included in the top 10 of the NPP "Atameken" ranking in terms of graduate demand, hold accreditations from international agencies FIBAA and NAQO, and meet the current labor market needs in the IT sector.