From June 14 to 16, 2023, Maratbek Gabdullin, Rector of KBTU, and Saule Aidarova, Director of the One Belt, One Road Research Institute, participated in the Forum of Public Diplomacy and the Forum of SCO Twin Cities in Qingdao, China. They also took part in the SCO Sub-Forum on Cooperation in the Field of Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as the III Youth Competition for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the SCO Member States. These events were attended by the heads of the SCO Secretariat, representatives of universities from SCO countries and Belt and Road countries, leaders of the Ministry of Science and Technology, heads of the Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province, the mayor of Qingdao, Chinese and foreign investors, entrepreneurs, representatives of international organizations, experts, scientists from research institutions, and other organizations.

Saule Aidarova delivered a presentation in the section titled “Development and Transformation of a New Joint Network Innovation System”.

Maratbek Gabdullin participated in the roundtable discussion “Creating a Network for International Universities and Exploring New Channels for the SCO's Development”.

Furthermore, two memorandums of understanding were signed during the forum: one between KBTU and the "China Center for Technology Transfer of the SCO Member States" and another between KBTU and the China University of Petroleum.