Astana International University Joins Global GBIF Network: A Milestone for International Scientific Recognition

Astana International University (AIU) has officially joined the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — the world's largest network for sharing biodiversity data.

This achievement highlights AIU’s commitment to the principles of Open Science, digitalization, and sustainable development, significantly strengthening the university’s position within the global scientific community. From now on, the scientific data and collections of our researchers will become visible and accessible to the international community, opening new opportunities for large-scale collaboration and participation in global biodiversity conservation initiatives.

As a modern global university, AIU fosters research and innovation in natural sciences, ecology, and plant biology. A key player in this field is the “NatureLaB” research laboratory, which focuses on studying Kazakhstan’s flora and biodiversity conservation. The laboratory maintains the AIU Herbarium, a valuable scientific repository that has been officially registered in the international “Index Herbariorum” database under the acronym AIU.

The herbarium specimens and field observations offer vital information about the distribution, habitat, and current state of rare, endemic, and economically important plant species in Kazakhstan. Publishing this biodiversity data through GBIF will ensure open access to information on the country's rich plant diversity, supporting global scientific research, education, environmental monitoring, and nature conservation planning.