On April 16th, 2025, the International Educational Corporation (KazGASA) welcomed an official delegation from Italy as part of the celebration of International Made in Italy Day. The purpose of the visit was to conduct a guest lecture and an institutional meeting aimed at strengthening academic and industrial collaboration.

The event was jointly organized by the Italian Institute of Culture in Almaty (IIC), the Italian Trade Agency in Kazakhstan (ITA), Gruppo Fiandre — a global leader in the production of ceramic and artificial stone surfaces — and Professor Giangabriele Fini from the Faculty of Architecture at IEC.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Claudia Bianchi, PhD, from the State University of Milan. In her address, she highlighted key issues related to sustainable design and the integration of innovative materials into architectural practice. Special attention was given to the development and application of Active Surfaces, a next-generation material with pollution-neutralizing and hygiene-enhancing properties, particularly relevant in both public and residential environments.

Dr. Martino Castellani, Director of the Italian Trade Agency, also gave a brief and impactful presentation emphasizing the importance of branding — not only for products but also for national systems of education, science, and culture. He presented successful initiatives carried out under the international “Made in Italy” label.

As part of the visit, a high-level meeting was held with Rector of IEC Margarita Bulatovna Imandossova. During the meeting, supported by Dr. Edoardo Crisafulli, Director of the Italian Institute of Culture, the parties discussed the signing of a strategic agreement between IEC, the State University of Milan, and Fiandre. The agreement includes plans to establish a joint laboratory at IEC dedicated to research, development, and certification of sustainable construction materials for Central Asia.