Kazakhstan is one of the most important international partners for the supply of raw materials in Germany. In 2012, both countries signed a commodity agreement, with the aim of reinforcing the transfer of technology and expertise, among others. The Georg Agricola Technical University (THGA) in Bochum/Germany is involved in this process. It has been working with the Kazakh National Technical University in Almaty since 2010. THGA President, Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann, has been given honorary membership of the Kazakh National Mining Academy (NBK) in the country‘s capital, Astana. He is the first scientist from the European Union (EU), to be granted this honour.