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Scientists from the Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University conducted a scientific mission to Cambridge, England, part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The primary objective of the scientific visit was to identify written sources, manuscripts, and archival materials related to the history of the penetration and spread of Islam in Kazakhstan and Central Asia within the collections of the Cambridge University libraries and the British Museum Library. The mission also aimed to scientifically examine sources that have not yet been fully integrated into academic discourse, determine their significance in addressing the scientific objectives of the research project, and develop international academic relations.

During the visit, the researchers participated in the international scientific conference titled "Archaeological Approaches to Urbanism and Urban Sustainability in Medieval Central Asia," held on September 29, 2026, at King’s College, University of Cambridge. Within the framework of the conference, the results of ongoing research on the medieval archaeology of Kazakhstan, the formation of urban culture, the spread of Islam, and interdisciplinary approaches to studying archaeological sites were presented to the international scientific community and discussed during academic debates.

The head of the scientific project, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor M.B. Kozha, delivered a report titled "The Discovery of Mihrabs in the Dwellings of Otrar’s Rabad and Questions of the Initial Stage of the Spread of Islam in Southern Kazakhstan." He presented the archaeological features of the mihrabs discovered in the residential quarters of Otrar's rabad and highlighted their scientific significance for studying the initial stages of the spread of Islam in Southern Kazakhstan. The presentation scientifically analyzed the results of archaeological excavations conducted in Otrar in 2025 and explored the potential of new archaeological data in conceptualizing historical and cultural processes. Furthermore, based on long-term research work, M.B. Kozha presented a scientific report titled "The Study of the Tomb of Ablai Khan," sharing the key findings of the research with the scientific community.

B.S. Sizdikov delivered a presentation on "The Formation of Urban Culture in the Keles Valley: Based on Interdisciplinary Research Conducted at the Kultobe Settlement," outlining the characteristics of urban culture formation in the Keles Valley and the results of archaeological and interdisciplinary research carried out at the Kultobe settlement. Sh. Almazuly, in his report titled "Archaeological Research at the Kultobe Settlement," introduced the main directions and results of archaeological fieldwork at the Kultobe settlement, demonstrating the historical and cultural significance of the site and its role in studying medieval urbanization processes in Southern Kazakhstan.

As part of the scientific mission, the scholars met with Alibek Asetovich Bakayev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. During the meeting, the parties discussed the development of scientific ties between Kazakhstan and the UK, the implementation of international research projects in the fields of archaeology and history, the exchange of scientific data, and the expansion of academic cooperation.

One of the significant outcomes of the visit was the organization of scientific meetings and academic exchanges with scholars from King’s College, University of Cambridge, and the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research. During these meetings, experiences were exchanged regarding modern methods of archaeological research, interdisciplinary approaches, the comprehensive analysis of archaeological and written sources, and the publication of scientific results in international journals. Furthermore, prospects for developing and implementing joint international scientific projects in the future were discussed.