ASTANA — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has launched a scholarship program focused on public-private partnerships (PPPs) at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU), aiming to strengthen research, education and practical expertise in Kazakhstan’s PPP sector.
Svetlana Maslova, EDB Director for PPP Projects with scholarship recipients at ENU on Sept. 4 The initiative, unveiled on Sept. 4 alongside the opening of a new EDB-branded classroom at the university, is designed to support students interested in researching and developing PPP practices.
Under the program, students will compete for scholarships worth $600 to support their research. Recipients will also receive expert mentoring and have the opportunity to present their findings at EDB events across the bank’s member states, including the International EDB PPP Fellows Seminars.
A new EDB-branded classroom at the ENU, is designed to support students interested in researching and developing PPP practices. Photo credit: EDB press service The newly opened EDB classroom is equipped with modern multimedia technology. It will serve as a venue for lectures, seminars, project workshops, expert discussions and scientific conferences dedicated to PPPs and Eurasian integration.
“The EDB PPP scholarship program provides students with early professional orientation and helps them develop project analysis skills, while its international component enables comparative assessment of national PPP models across all EDB member states,” said Svetlana Maslova, EDB Director for PPP Projects.
“The program is designed to build a pool of specialists capable of preparing and implementing PPP projects both in Kazakhstan and across the Eurasian region. Students will gain not only academic knowledge but also a practical understanding of how real PPP projects are developed and implemented,” she added.
The Eurasian Development Bank is a multilateral development institution that finances investment projects across the Eurasian region. Since its establishment 20 years ago, the bank has focused on promoting economic integration and sustainable development among its member states.
As of the end of June 2026, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio included 348 projects with total investments of $22.1 billion. The bank’s investments are concentrated in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, industry and mechanical engineering, with a particular focus on projects that promote regional integration.
Under its 2022–2026 strategy, the EDB is implementing three flagship initiatives: the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex, the Eurasian Transport Framework and the Eurasian Commodity Distribution Network.